Eating Disorders

Addiction is having a devotion to something to a point where it becomes a habit and even obsessive. Anorexia and bulimia are forms of addiction (www.addictionscience.net). Eating disorders are patterns of persistent eating or dieting behavior. They can be caused by significant emotional, physical, and relational distress (www.addictionscience.net). Some eating disorders are Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge eating. Anorexia is the relentless pursuit of thinness. Bulimia is the uncontrollable urge to eat large amounts of food in a short amount of time (Exploring Science 6th Edition Myers, David G). The media plays a big part in this it creates an artificial image that people are supposed to look picture perfect, such as supermodels and athletes.

People with anorexia are unable to maintain there average body weight and height for their age (www.aedweb.org). Most are afraid of gaining weight and usually see themselves as being fat, even thought they might be underweight (www.aedweb.org). People with anorexia often deal with depression and withdrawal. They begin strange behavior such as dividing there food into a “good/safe” category, and a “bad/dangerous” category (www.calpsy.net/org).

Individuals with Bulimia usually overeat during meals. After eating, they usually feel guilty and punish themselves by forcing themselves to vomit, or by using laxatives, enemas, or by over exercising (Exploring Science 6th Edition Myers, David G). They also deal with depression and loneliness often. People with Bulimia have difficulty talking about their inner feelings. They also have anxiety depression, and anger (Exploring Science 6th Edition Myers, David G). They also might have problems with impulse control, shoplifting, and may be very sexually adventurous. They may also take in the habit to abuse drugs and alcohol depending on severity (www.anred.com).

People who binge eats are usually overweight. They diet to make themselves hungry and then binge eat to make up for the hunger. However, also eat for emotional reasons because they feel it substitutes for their depression (www.addictionscience.net).

Some of the warning signs of eating disorders are with food behavior (Exploring Science 6th Edition Myers, David G). They will usually skip meals or only eat a small portion. They will not eat in front of other people and they mix strange food combinations, they will also have an excuse to never eat. Suddenly they will stop eating their favorite foods and only eat a few “safe” foods. Often find themselves wearing baggy clothes to cover up their “non-perfect” appearance (www.calpsy.net/org). And will spend a lot of time looking at their selves in the mirror but never to compliment, just to find something to criticize there selves about. They will usually think that if they are thinner then they will feel better about themselves. However at times will deny anything is wrong with them when people attempt to help (www.calpsy.net/org).

Factors that may also encourage eating disorders to theses individuals are family, friends and in some cases the media. People who live in strict households feel as if they are pressured to be perfect (www.calpsy.net/org). Some children have verbally abusive parents and sometimes that may cause them to become depressed and begin the disorderly eating. High profile associates can also cause pressure. The media play and a lot of reality shows play a big part with people who have eating disorders