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[D320]Different Types Eating Disorders

by Nicky Pilkington, Nic

There are very many eating disorders. Many people assume an eating disorder is only classed as an eating disorder if it is extreme. This isn't necessarily the case. All eating disorders start somewhere, and usually they begin with very minor or very occasional aversions to either consuming food in the first place, or keeping food within the system.

Eating disorders aren't always psychological and sometimes there are physical reasons why a person may not wish to eat or can't keep food down which has absolutely nothing to do with aversions to food, so people mustn't be too quick to make snap judgements. Underlying illnesses or internal defects often account for a large number of cases in which people simply assume a person has an eating disorder.

Many people, particularly women and an ever growing number of teenage girls, suffer from eating disorders. The vast majority of the time the reasons are psychological and have much to do with a persons' self-image of themselves. These days there is an immense pressure on women to look super slim and have model good looks, and this is simply an unrealistic expectation for the general populace to follow. Not every person has been blessed with such extraordinary genetics, and feel they are been judged by people for not matching up. This can cause many women to consume ridiculously small amounts of food, and often the food they do consume they bring back up in the mistaken and dangerous belief they can somehow fulfil the mythical expectations that are being imposed upon them.

The most common eating disorders are anorexia and bulimia. Typically, anorexia is an altogether loss of appetite which inevitably makes a person unable to eat as the condition worsens. Bulimia is a disorder in which people often binge eat great amounts of food then purposely bring the food back up to avoid gaining weight.

Eating disorders are extremely dangerous. The human body needs to consume food and needs the food to stay in the system to be broken down into vital nutrients. Eating disorders, whether food is consumed to begin with or brought back up, is paramount to starvation and the effects of malnutrition will soon begin to show. Eating disorders can be particularly distressing for the person suffering as well as loved ones who often feel powerless to help. If you suffer from an eating disorder it is important you are true to yourself and admit this, and seek professional help as soon as possible so you can begin to recover and deal with not only your eating disorder, but the issues in which sparked it to begin with.

That feeling in the pit of your stomach of impending doom. We've all felt that way before, but for some people, it's an everyday occurrence. At its best, it can be disruptive to a person's everyday life. At its worst, it's crippling to those who suffer this affliction. These people have anxiety disorder. It's characterized by a constant feeling of worry which has little or no basis in reality. There are usually other symptoms present, such as sleep disorders, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations.

There are several types of anxiety disorders. Anxiety attacks are one category of anxiety disorder. Anxiety attacks are characterized by a sudden onset of terror, which results in an increased heart rate, a tightening of the chest, and a feeling of losing control. Untreated, it can result in agoraphobia (fear of public places or open spaces.) Panic disorder can also be accompanied by depression. However, treatments such as therapy and medication can cure most anxiety disorders.

Another kind of anxiety disorder is obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD. OCD is illustrated by obsessive thoughts and rituals which are used to control the anxiety that accompanies such thoughts. The rituals can be anything from washing one's hands over and over again to locking and unlocking a door repeatedly. OCD sufferers may also be fixated on order and symmetry.

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is another example of anxiety disorder. People who suffer from PTSD often startle easily, are irritable and become emotionally numb. It is often brought on by a traumatic event, such as a rape or a mugging. Veterans have been diagnosed with it after serving in war zones. PTSD symptoms can intensify during the anniversary of the traumatic event. Medications and therapy are often successful in the treatment of PTSD.

Social anxiety disorder, or social phobia, is also a type of anxiety disorder. Persons with social anxiety disorder often feel extremely self-conscious and anxious in social situations. If they are asked to appear at a public function, they often will obsess about it for weeks ahead of time. This fear can manifest itself in many ways, including avoidance of work, friends, and family.

Persons with social anxiety disorder often recognize that their reactions are excessive; however, they are still unable to control them. Physical symptoms can include sweating, shaking, blushing, and nausea. Social anxiety disorder is often treated with therapy and medications with great success.

Finally, phobias related to a specific activity, event, or object are also a class of anxiety disorders. Phobias are intense fears or terror of something that really isn't that dangerous, if at all. It manifests itself in different ways in different people. For example, some have a fear of spiders while others have a fear of enclosed places. Also, some people have a fear of driving on a highway and some are afraid of heights. These phobias often bring on anxiety attacks. Left untreated, they can significantly interfere in the sufferer's everyday life. Therapy is often successful of the treatment in this particular anxiety disorder.

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Both Nicky Pilkington & M. Xavier 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.

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