Mike Herman asked:


As we were all teenagers at one time, that is if you are twenty years of age or older today, you know that the teenage years are full problems, peer pressure, stress and the desire to fit in. It is not surprising then, with all of the peer pressure and images from the media, as well as the strong desire to fit in, that eating disorders are most common among teenagers.

1. Eating disorders are known to be the result of a poor self image and/or an unhealthy relationship to food. Most people think of eating disorders as something that affects girls and young women who are dieting. The truth is that these disorders have to do with our relationship to food and issues related to body image and self-esteem, and not just our desire to to loss some weight.

While most people only think anorexia and bulimia when it comes to eating disorders, there are less well-known eating disorders as well, nocturnal eating, pica and binge eating are also characterized by an unhealthy relationship to food and eating. In fact, all eating disorders have one common denominator: an ongoing and unhealthy relationship with food that becomes a disruption in a person’s life.

2. Eating disorders generally affect young women, although they can affect just about anyone, middle aged women and even men. It is estimated that more than 8 million people in the United States are affected with some kind of eating disorder. While those with disorders come from all social and ethnic backgrounds, studies have suggested that young affluent white women are more susceptible to developing an eating disorder.

Most disorders first become evident during adolescence and can develop in young children and pre-teens. When it come to men and doctors report eating disorders among men is increasing, it seems to be most common with athletes who want to and/or feel pressure to compete as they are vulnerable to developing a disorder.

3. These disorders can emerge during periods of stress and change. Doctors don’t yet fully understand why eating disorders are present in some individuals, and not others. But they do have an understanding about the circumstances that may make some people more vulnerable to developing an eating disorder.

Studies have shown that individuals who are experiencing stress, depression, or who have recently experienced some kind of major life change are much more vulnerable to developing the symptoms of an eating disorder.

4. Eating disorders can cause a variety of serious health problems. Many teenagers who become preoccupied with food, body image, and exercise do not understand the health risks posed by their actions.

These health problems include heart problems, stomach problems, irregular menstrual periods, kidney problems, dental problems, hormonal disturbance, dehydration and dry skin, to name just a few. Intervention and hospitalization may become necessary in more severe cases.

5. All of these can be treated successfully. Now more than ever there is a better understanding of eating disorders, and many treatment options and resources are available for teenagers and their families whose lives have been touched by an eating disorder.

Treatment consists of various therapies, including nutritional therapy, psychotherapy, and family and individual counseling. Sometimes prescription drugs are used to treat underlying problems. For instance, antidepressants may be prescribed.



Tammy

Jerry Cahill asked:


Adolescence can be a very stressful time when people begin gaining independence and discovering who they are. The teen years are when people establish new friendships and also when they find that their body has begun to develop. When a person enters puberty, it can be a very stressful, confusing and frightening period.

A lucky few can make the transition from childhood to adulthood with no major problems. However, many who may develop a teen eating disorder as a way to cope with these changing times.

A teen eating disorder may cause someone to worry that the weight that he or she is gaining will become permanent. This can cause panic and desperate efforts to prevent or shed any weight gain. Teens may be ignorant of the fact that these physical changes will ease with time and that their weight will stabilize without the need for dieting. The teen eating disorder may also be attributed to going through puberty which is a testing time, especially if the teenager also has to undergo sexual advances.

In addition, teens may be under great pressure to perform and excel. Pressure to conform to society’s ‘ideal’ body image may lead to eating disorders. Teens see touched up pictures of models and assume they must look the same way. In an effort to become thin, teens may develop anorexia, bulemia, or other eating disorders. Many teens think that being thin leads to happiness, which can be a strong factor in eating disorders.

Another important factor that may contribute to a teen eating disorder is the home environment. Teens who are subject to emotional, physical, or sexual abuse may develop eating disorders to have control over some aspect of their lives. Teen eating disorders may also help block out painful feelings.

Schools and families can play an active role in preventing teen eating disorders. By teaching teens and families about the warning signs and problems with eating disorders, we may be able to prevent or quickly treat cases of anorexia, bulemia, and other eating disorders. Educators can also be trained to build self-esteem and show teens that they don’t have to develop an eating disorder to be successful or beautiful. Through education, prevention, and good treatment, we can get a handle on teen eating disorders.



Antonio

Cindy Heller asked:


Personnel suffering from eating disorders have more than a few options in seeking treatment, once they identify and admit they have a disease. According to the Center for Eating Disorders and Psychotherapy in Worthington, the best selection is family and friends.

The Center for Eating Disorders and Psychotherapy in Worthington, Ohio

Even as many females suffer at from anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating in any case one during their lifetime, what manifests the intermittent bouts with one of these disorders into a full-blown disease is still the subject of much debate at the Center for Eating Disorders.

Many hospitals to operate a Center for Eating Disorders where people can take part in treatment ranging beginning meetings with professionals to inpatient treatment. Depending on the intensity of the disease and the readiness of the patient to participate, determines which treatment option is utilized.

The Center for Eating Disorders located at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Towson, Maryland, offers quite a few options, including inpatient services, daily outpatient treatment and group therapy, all conducted at their Center for Eating Disorders. Community outreach programs in addition to a combination of inpatient/outpatient programs are also obtainable.

National Eating Disorder Association: One of The Largest US Non-Profit Organization

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is the considered to be the biggest non-profit organization in the United States and works to put a stop to eating disorders as also to provide referrals to patients suffering from anorexia, bulimia as well as binge eating disorders and, as well people who are taken up with body image and issues pertaining to weight.

The ultimate goal of the National Eating Disorders Association is to eliminate eating disorders and to achieve this, the National Eating Disorders Association has committed itself to expanding the public understanding of eating disorders as well as enchanting preventive measures and promoting way in to quality treatment for those who have been afflicted with eating disorders as well as giving support to families through education, advocacy and in research.

The National Eating Disorders Association tries to provide the needs of the national community in the course of programs that it provides, as well as products and services that are of superior quality in sustaining the elimination of eating disorders. In order to make the mission become more fruitful and productive it has developed prevention programs for a large many different audiences, and has published and circulated educational materials in addition to operating the country’s first toll-free helpline for eating disorders information as well as referral.

Help Must be Sought After in Order for it to Work

One of the toughest parts of having someone seek out help at a Center for Eating Disorders is their capability to recognize that they are suffering from a serious illness. Anorexia nervosa sufferers generally don’t see anything wrong with how they look. Their fear of gaining weight is more often than not unfounded, that may not be the image they see when they look into a mirror.

Group therapy at the Center for Eating Disorders may not be meant for everyone, in particular those suffering bulimia nervosa. Because they usually purge by vomiting or the abuse of laxatives or diuretics, they don’t demonstrate the physical signs of overeating. Those suffering from binge eating are by and large too embarrassed by their weight to discuss the problem in front of others.

There are many times when an intervention with family and friends may be essential before a person with anorexia or bulimia be converted into willing to accept that a problem exists and seek treatment. Nevertheless, an intervention should not be staged without the benefit of advice from a professional at a Center for Eating Disorders.

Most have the same opinion that eating disorders are the outcome of a psychological disorder and as such interference devoid of the proper conditions, preparation and knowledge could backfire and make the situation even worse. When dealing with someone with an eating disorder it will constantly be best to coordinate your efforts with a Center for Eating Disorders professional.

How and Where can I Contact an Eating Disorder Association?

One of the best way to find eating disorder association that is near to you is by using the Internet, since the speed and efficiency of the Internet will allow you to be able to quickly and easily find accurately what you are looking for, and thus will narrow down your search dramatically.

Keep in mind not to get frustrated in your search, and remember that seeking help is significant and that you should not feel ashamed or disappointed in yourself for doing so. You should understand that there are many people out there who are suffering just as you are, and so you should by no means feel alone. Recovery is a serious and decisive step in you getting better.



Joann

Vanya Hartwell asked:


 

Everybody eats too much sometimes. After all, what would the point of Thanksgiving be if it wasn’t to stuff ourselves? At what point does an occasional indulgence turn into a real problem? Compulsive overeating is when you eat for reasons other than hunger and past the point of feeling full. People suffering with this eating disorder tend to be overweight, and are usually aware that their eating habits are abnormal.

Causes of Eating Disorders

Most people perceive people with eating disorders as having an obsession with food. However, this perception is just a myth because the real cause of eating disorders is usually a deeper psychological problem that a person has to deal with. Eating disorders can also occur in people who are suffering from physical or mental problems that cannot be dealt with appropriately. In this case, consulting a psychiatrist or a therapist can usually help a lot in preventing a person from developing eating disorders.

An eating disorder can consist of starving, purging or stuffing. Regardless of the exact causes of eating disorders, the individual should seek professional help as soon as possible.

The psychological causes can be many, it could be a trauma that created a negative self body image and then the eating disorder. Low self esteem, problems in a relationship, perfectionism, sexual trauma those are causes also. Negative remarks on the body image of a teenager can have a huge impact on her emotions and mental health

Biological factors. Studies indicate that certain people may have a genetic predisposition to develop an eating disorder and that it probably runs in the family. Several researches prove that having a biological mother or sister with an eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia, binge eating) increases an individual’s likelihood of developing the same disease. A study involving twins also support this conclusion.

Symptoms of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders plague millions of men and women throughout the world. Many people don’t seek help and eventually die from their disease. Eating disorders are diseases. They afflict the mind, tricking the individual into thinking he or she needs to take the most drastic measures to change his or her appearance. The individual then takes action, be it binge eating, starving themselves, or purging.

A less detected, but still dangerous eating disorder is binge eating. Still another type of eating disorder is compulsive eating. Compulsive eating is known to afflict the most number of people among all the eating disorders but the symptoms of this condition are often very mild so it is not detected until the situation is severe.

They always engage themselves in a compulsive exercise regimen.

They always feel fat despite the glaring fact that they are already below the normal weight.

Continuously exercising

Running to the bathroom following meals

Spending long period of time in bathroom with water running to hide vomiting sounds

Treatment of Eating Disorders

Why do such places exist, anyway? Who in their right mind would think it is okay to promote a disease as if it were a good thing instead of a bad thing? It doesn’t matter how little sense it makes. What matters is that they do exist and they are causing harm to hundreds, if not thousands of people just by keeping them from seeking treatment.

Part of the gymnastics training program should involve lecture sessions given by nutritionists to educate the young athletes on proper nutrition and why eating healthy is necessary to fuel a body undergoing such strenuous activities. It is also crucial that gymnasts who already have eating disorders are encouraged and supported to seek help, and that counseling be available to them when they do. Gymnasts who suffer from eating disorders need the assurance that they will not be subject to criticism or disparaging treatment if they come forward and acknowledge their need for help.



Edwin

Sandra Kim Leong asked:


Eating disorders are fast becoming a growing and common problem. It is not unusual to open up the newspapers and reading about reports of this condition every other day. Many models, actresses and famous celebrities are also widely known to have eating disorders due to their desire to look good for the camera.

In the United States, statistics show that currently there are approximately between 5 and 10 million women in the United States who suffer from some kind of eating disorder, or are at the borderline of developing one. The wide variance is an indication of many cases that go unreported or undiagnosed. Many prefer not to seek treatment as they mistakenly believe that they do not have a problem.

It is also not true that eating disorders just affect young women. Young women are thought to be most susceptible as they are more concerned about beauty and fashion. However, in reality, people of all ages and from any kind of background can generally be affected. So long as you become obsessed with unhealthy eating patterns, you can be said to be showing symptoms of

this condition. It is estimated that over one million boys and men suffer from some form of eating disorder.

However, there are many experts who believe that this statistic may be distorted because many men with eating disorders are not accurately diagnosed. Studies have shown that many men are told that they are simply exhausted tired or depressed. Doctors fail to think that men can be affected too.

So what are eating disorders? They refer to conditions whereby you have an unhealthy preoccupation with food and body image.

The most common types are anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating. Anorexia describes a condition whereby you just refuse to eat due to an obsession with weight loss. Bulimia is characterized by a cycle of binging and purging that you use to control your weight. Binge eating disorder is an eating disorder that involves sessions of intense overeating followed by feelings of intense guilt. Other disorders that are related to eating disorders include emotional eating and nocturnal eating.

One startling statistic reveals how prevalent eating disorders actually are in the United States. According to recent research, the number of people suffering from an eating disorder is three times as much as the number of people currently living with AIDS. Another statistic tells us that there are three times as many people with eating disorders than there are schizophrenia patients

in the United States.

One of the root causes of eating disorders is the way beauty and body image are constantly being portrayed by the media. Fashion magazines and TV commercials present the ideal American model to be 5′11″ tall and of 117 pounds in weight. Yet, the average modern American woman is 5′4″ tall and weighs approximately 140 pounds. Inevitably, this disparity in the numbers can only result in eating disorders developing so that the perfect body weight and shape can be attained. Who does not want to look like a model?

Even young children nowadays are consumed by thoughts of weight and physical beauty. Recent studies find that about half of all American elementary age school children would like to be thinner, expressing dissatisfaction with their current appearance. Even kindergarten aged children are anxous about their looks and fear gaining weight. Some have even gone on diets so that they can look better. Eating disorders used to be virtually non-existent with young children. It just does not seem that way anymore.



Margaret

Jerry Cahill asked:


Adolescence can be a very stressful time when people begin gaining independence and discovering who they are. The teen years are when people establish new friendships and also when they find that their body has begun to develop. When a person enters puberty, it can be a very stressful, confusing and frightening period.

A lucky few can make the transition from childhood to adulthood with no major problems. However, many who may develop a teen eating disorder as a way to cope with these changing times.

A teen eating disorder may cause someone to worry that the weight that he or she is gaining will become permanent. This can cause panic and desperate efforts to prevent or shed any weight gain. Teens may be ignorant of the fact that these physical changes will ease with time and that their weight will stabilize without the need for dieting. The teen eating disorder may also be attributed to going through puberty which is a testing time, especially if the teenager also has to undergo sexual advances.

In addition, teens may be under great pressure to perform and excel. Pressure to conform to society’s ‘ideal’ body image may lead to eating disorders. Teens see touched up pictures of models and assume they must look the same way. In an effort to become thin, teens may develop anorexia, bulemia, or other eating disorders. Many teens think that being thin leads to happiness, which can be a strong factor in eating disorders.

Another important factor that may contribute to a teen eating disorder is the home environment. Teens who are subject to emotional, physical, or sexual abuse may develop eating disorders to have control over some aspect of their lives. Teen eating disorders may also help block out painful feelings.

Schools and families can play an active role in preventing teen eating disorders. By teaching teens and families about the warning signs and problems with eating disorders, we may be able to prevent or quickly treat cases of anorexia, bulemia, and other eating disorders. Educators can also be trained to build self-esteem and show teens that they don’t have to develop an eating disorder to be successful or beautiful. Through education, prevention, and good treatment, we can get a handle on teen eating disorders.

One Common disorder is Bulimia Eating Disorder. A bulimia eating disorder is a particular kind of eating disorder in which a person eats large amounts of food in a relatively short time of time, and then purges it back up later on. Purging can be done in several methods, including: producing oneself throw up; and taking laxatives, pills, or liquids that increase how fast food moves throughout your body and leads to a bowel movement.



Ashley