What is an eating disorder?
Don't weigh your self-esteem ... What is really worth is what exists within you.
Eating disorders are extreme manifestations of a variety of weight and food concerns experienced by women and men. These include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and compulsive eating. These are all serious emotional problems that can have deadly consequences.
Anorexia Nerviosa is mainly characterized by self-starvation (self-denial of food) and excessive weight loss. Symptoms include the following:
A constant concern to maintain a low body weight. Usually 15% less than the normal weight measured according to the height and age of the person.
An intense fear towards weight gain and obesity ..
A distorted body image.
Loss of three consecutive menstrual periods (amenorrhea).
An extreme concern for weight and figure.
Bulimia Nervosa is mainly characterized by periods in which one eats too much (getting stuck), followed by purges. Frequently these jams are made secretly. Symptoms include the following:
Repeated episodes of clogging and purging.
A loss of control during traffic jams.
Purge after jamming (by self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives, diet pills, diuretics, excessive exercise or fasting).
"Dieting" frequently.
An extreme concern for weight and figure.
Compulsive eating is mainly characterized by periods of impulsive voracity or non-stop eating. There are no purges but sporadic fasts or repetitive diets. Weight may vary from normal to discrete, moderate or severe obesity.
How does an eating disorder develop?
Eating disorders can develop through the combination of psychological, interpersonal and social conditions. Inappropriate feelings, depression, anxiety, loneliness, as well as family problems and personal relationships can contribute to the development of these disorders. The obsessive idealization of our culture for thinness and the "perfect body" is also a contributing factor to eating disorders.
Once initiated, eating disorders tend to perpetuate themselves. Dieting, getting stuck and purged are emotional methods that some people use to manage painful emotions and to feel in control of their personal lives. In turn, these behaviors deteriorate physical health, self-esteem, ability and control.
