If you have a teenage child or loved one, chances are you have wondered what the warning signs of an eating disorder may be. Because of the high emphasis our society places on being thin, many teens and adults struggle with having the right body image. Stick thin celebrities do not help with this problem. Parents and other family and friends need to be aware of what to look for and how to help if they have a child they think might have an eating disorder.
There are three main types of eating disorders. Anorexia is the inability or lack of desire to eat. Bulimia nervosa is compulsive over eating and then purging the system through throwing up. Compulsive overeating is exactly what it sounds like, uncontrollable overeating. Each one of these three disorders is emotional problems that need to be addressed, as they have serious consequences.
Eating disorders are obsessions that are often fueled by guilt or anxiety. Often the person suffering from an eating disorder will separated themselves from friends and family. The disorder, if left untreated can become life threatening, so it is important to know exactly what to look for.
Warning signs of eating disorders are varied, and may or may not be obvious. Some of the obvious signs are a noticeable, unexplainable change in weight, which may be weight gain or weight loss. If that is paired with abnormal eating habits, such as extreme dieting, binging, strange behavior at meals, or desire to eat strange foods, chances are you have a person suffering from an eating disorder. Another sign is an obsessive preoccupation with body shape and weight. Excessive exercising can be anther sign of an eating disorder. Finally, depression and irritability usually accompany eating disorders.
A person may exhibit these behaviors and not have and eating disorder, so watch carefully. If someone skips meals, and eats only small bits of food when forced to eat, chances are you have a problem. This person will always have an excuse for why they are not eating, usually great excuses. Also, the person that is suffering from an eating disorder will have a sudden aversion to foods that they used to love. They will often brag about the healthy foods they are eating, and usually drinks diet drinks. Those suffering from eating disorders are obsessed with food labels, and are extremely disciplined about what and when they eat.
The flip side of that type of disorder is the person who binges, by emptying the fridge. They usually have a special food that they binge on, like chocolate or ice cream. Binging is often followed by regurgitation, as the person is obsessing about gaining weight. Watch for empty packages of food, a foul smell in the bathroom, and extra time spent in the bathroom.
If you suspect someone you love has an eating disorder, do not be harsh with them, as this might fuel the problem. They need to get professional help. Do whatever you can to get them to a counselor, and share your concerns with the counselor. Even if they do not have an eating disorder, they probably have a poor body image if they are obsessing about their weight, and they need help to accept themselves. Get help as soon as you can, before the problem becomes out of control.
Have An Eating Disorder
Thousands of women and increasing number of men look in the mirror everyday and hate what they see. The image that stares back at you in that mirror is not real as fairy tales are not real. You see in that mirror what your eating disorders want you to see as you are not seeing the true picture. Millions of people are made miserable by eating disorders while thousands will die from them yearly. The good news is that eating disorders can be beaten and be a prisoner no more to this. You have the power to beat such disorders and you will for sure. Although recovery may take lots of time and hard work, it is all worth doing. Finally, you will be free and you will love yourself. After the recovery, you will be able to look yourself in the mirror and it will be obviously the real you.
Many people misunderstand what causes their eating disorders and how dangerous it is and they deny that they even have a problem. When people hear of someone with eating disorders, they almost automatically assume the person has a problem with food. Eating disorders are not a sign that a person has a problem with food, to a certain extent disorders are actually only the symptoms of underlying problems in that person's life. With proper treatment, that person may recover from the disorder.
While it has been found that some eating disorders sufferers have imbalances in certain chemicals in the brain that control hunger, appetite and digestion, potential biochemical or biological causes of eating disorders are still being examined by researchers In addition to biochemical or biological factors, several psychological factors, socio-cultural and interpersonal factors can be attributed as causes of eating disorders. A significant risk factor for the development of eating pathology appears to be represented by low self-esteem. The tendencies to be perfectionist and setting rigid standards for oneself may lead to some eating disorders. Depression, anxiety, emptiness or loneliness, anger and feelings of lack of control in life or feeling of inadequacy are other psychological factors that greatly cause eating disorders.
Socio-cultural factors could be cultural pressures placing extreme value on ?thinness? and obtaining the ?perfect body?. The cultural norms placing emphasis on physical appearance and not on inner strengths and qualities as well as defining beauty as extremely narrow including specific body weights and shapes greatly contributes to the development of eating disorders. Furthermore, media messages encouraging dieting likely lead to high rates of chronic dieting also has some part being played for the risk of having disorders. Eating disorders develop from a variety of causes and they are creating self-perpetuating cycle of physical and emotional destruction. Moreover, all eating disorders require professional help.
Some individuals who have difficulty expressing one's feelings and emotions may add up to other causes that leads to eating disorders. Interpersonal relationships, family disharmony, history if being ridiculed based on body size or weight, history of sexual abuse and/or physical abuse and family factors such as obesity in the family, parental preoccupation with eating and weight, unrealistic expectations achievement are all interpersonal factors that develop eating disorders.
Lastly, the number one stepping stone to eating disorders is dieting and it is important that you put your bad dieting on trash. You have to be real by freeing your body from the possible impact that your dieting is about to give you after. Better off spend your money and your passion on something that really matters to your without you risking your health.
Both Michael Russell & Michael Sampson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Michael Russell has sinced written about articles on various topics from Celebrities, Dieting and Diabetes Treatment. Michael RussellYour Independent guide to . Michael Russell's top article generates over 2240000 views. to your Favourites.
Michael Sampson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Web Development, Forex Guide and Heart Conditions. For more information please visit the Info center.. Michael Sampson's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.
Chinese Acupuncture " Herbs Please consult with your doctor before taking any Chinese herb because some of these herbs may have side effects.If you need more information, please visit my home page at