ANOREXIA AND BULIMIA

Anorexia Nervosa:  a condition characterized by intense fear of gaining weight or becoming obese, as well as a distorted body image, leading to an excessive weight loss from restricting food intake and excessive exercise.

Bulimia: an eating disorder in which persistent overconcern with the body weight and shape leads to repeat episodes of binging (consuming large amounts of food in a short time) associated with induced vomiting.

       To support our definitions we interviewed Dr. David Praul of Charter Hospital by fax.

1.  Is there a typical sufferer of Anorexia or Bulimia?

While anorexics are often members of the middle class  or affluent society, recent findings show sufferers come from all backgrounds and many different styles and sizes of families.  Also there is a tendency for anorexics to set unreasonably high goals and to aim for perfection in all that they do.

Generally speaking, bulimia is likely to begin after the late teens, while anorexia more often starts during adolescence.  The incidence of anorexia  or bulimia in males is about 5% of all cases,  with the onset of the disorders generally mid-teens to early twenties.

2.  What are the causes of the eating disorders Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia?

There are many theories, but no clear picture.  It is an over simplification to blame the mass media's presentation to blame the mass media's presentation of the ideal shape: though western society's increased emphasis on the slim, fit body places pressure on many people.

We know there are many factors affecting the development of the disorders- biological, psychological and sociological- so the relationship between parent  and child need not to be seen as the dominant cause. However the reluctance to mature physically (sexually) and emotionally, and the issues of personal control between parent and child, could contribute to some cases of anorexia.

Low self -esteem and poor body image contributes to both disorders; and it seems life crises- such as changing relationships, childbirth or death- may trigger the eating disorders.

3. What are the side-effects of Anorexia and Bulimia?

These are described more fully in Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa  Foundation of Victoria's brochures on the disorders.

The anorexic experiences physical side-effects similar to malnutritian, with severe sensitivity to the cold, loss of menstral periods and growth of down-like body hair. Bulimic women may also stop mensturating or have irregular periods. Both disorders involve the possible dysfunction of the kidneys, imbalance in the bodily chemicals and damage to colon or urinary tracts.  Constant vomiting erodes dental enamel and gives the person a sore throat and gullet.

Each disorder places tremendous emotional strain on sufferers, the malnourishment of anorexics actually results in an inability to think clearly or concentrate.

Despite many sufferer's reluctance to admit anything is wrong, the quality of life for an anorexic or bulimic person leaves a lot to be desired.

Friends and families are alienated by the unpredictable and anti- social behavior  of the sufferer.  The anorexic and bulimic person is unable to take part in food related activities, and may undergo a complete personality change.

Left untreated, both disorders can lead to even death, so I would reccommend expert advice as soon as possible.

4.  How are the family and friends of the victim affected by the diseases?

Parents often comment on the seceptions practiced by their sick child.  While anorexics will usually deny having a problem, bulimics wilo go to great lengths to conceal the problem.  It is a shock for a parent to find evidence of vomitting, of empty boxes of laxitives in a daughter's room.

Husbands are devistated to learn the reason their wife delays coming to bed each evening is that  she is purging herself in the bathroom.  The siblings of a sufferer often become co-consdiritors with their brother or sister to keep the truth form their parents.

The strain of living with the eating disordered person can create divisions in the family.  Each person is involved by the sufferer's behavior in different ways.  However, all of the family members feel about the same emotions: confusion, helplessness, anxiousness, and anger.  Everybody wonders how to approach the loved one and how to deal with the problem.

5. What can families and friends do to help the sufferers?

The fisrt step is to get the problem out in the open, but being really senstive about it and taking great care. The person who has the disorders feels shame and guilt and may feel threatened  that the secret is out. They might feel angry, and the feelings need to be worked out in a constructive way. Reassurance that the friends and family do not blame the sufferer will help a lot.

Sufferers need to seek professional help and family members need to insist if the sufferer is in danger or in complete denial.

An instance of the disorder of Anorexia Nervosa is about a 16 year old girl named Lonnie. Lonnie is five foot seven inches and weighs 82 pounds. She is terrified by eating and gaining weight. Steven Levenkron is the psychotheripist who is treating her. When Steven first meets Lonnie, he describes her as an emaciated young girl without self worth.  Lonnie got anorexia when she thought that everyone was staring at her because she was so fat

Arbuckle is a 17 year old boy.  He subconciously got anorexia.  Arbuckle was a runner.  He was always told that the lighter you are, the faster you run.  So, his mind controled his appetite untio food was no longer appealing to him.  On top of all this, Arbuckle was running even more.

Some syptoms of anorexia include drastic sudden weight loss and irritability.  Bulimia symptoms include evidencer of vomiting and use of laxitives.  Both disorders include alienation from friends and family.

Both eating disorders are caused by lack of self esteem, many changes in life, or over simplification of life (eg. If I eat, I get fat).  Thankfully, anorexia and bulimia are usually treatable through phychotherapy and intense affection, patience, and love.

To prevent these eating disordrs, always be on the look out for abnormal social behavior.  This is the tell tale sign of mental ilnesses accosiated with your mind.