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Essays on the causes of eating disorders
Strongest contributions to aetiology of eating disorders
Strongest contributions to aetiology of eating disorders
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Bulimia Nervosa Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder involves periods of binge eating and periods of purging. This disorder occurs more commonly in women than in men. The person will usually eat a lot of food at one time then vomit, over exercise or take laxatives to get rid of the food. For that reason, the person is usually in the normal weight range or slightly higher. Since they are in a normal weight range or slightly higher, the disorder is easier for the person to hid the disorder from others. Those people who have bulimia nervosa are most likely obsessed with their weight and their figure (Ehrilich, 2014). The onset of bulimia nervosa generally occurs about the age of 18 to 26 years old (“Eating Disorders”, 2014). Bulimia nervosa …show more content…
Family members that have had an eating disorder is one of the risk factors for bulimia nervosa. The chemicals in the body, neurotransmitters or hormones, becoming imbalanced places a person at risk for bulimia nervosa. The media can play a role in those who become bulimic, because they show models that are thin and beautiful. When a person is not happy about their own appearance and they see thin models every time they turn on the T.V. then they want to do anything to become like that model. Some other risk factors include: history of obesity, being a picky eater, depression, and relationship issues (“Eating Disorders”, 2014). There are several sign or behaviors that are noticeable to others when a person is bulimic. If the person does extreme dieting or has an obsession with food and eating. The person may use diuretics or laxatives a lot to get rid of the excess that they ate. The person usually has a poor self-concept or thoughts of harming themselves. The person with bulimia nervosa is usually depressed, guilty, or feels worthless all the time. The most noticeable sign that a person is bulimic is if they have erosion of tooth enamel and a hoarse voice from vomiting (Gorman,
Sara is a thirty three year old lesbian black female. She reports that she was 5’9” in eighth grade and has always been larger than everyone. She also reports that her grandmother was present in her life and would control her diet with slim fast starting around eighth grade, and her brother lived with her as well. Sara has stated that growing up, she did not feel safe, and that there has been trauma causing her life struggles. Her close friend, Julie, reports that she is aware of Sara’s condition but only because she has brought it up when something apparent relates, but declines to discuss in any further detail. Julie states that it is hard to believe Sara is struggling with such a condition and for so long because
That can eventually lead to the abuse of diuretics or laxatives because often one can feel a sense of control through that use. Another cause can be genetics. There has been many studies that show evidence of how genetics have an impact on those who become bulimic. For example, if a mother was bulimic, there is a chance that her daughter could become bulimic as well because her mother’s traits may have passed down to her as well. The influence from family, friends, and society has a big impact and can also lead one to become bulimic. Bulimia can be conceived as such a dreadful disorder because it can lead to a serious of chronic diseases and health problems. Bulimia, in severe cases, can even end in death. Although it can lead to lousy relationships, one should never give up on somebody who has bulimia. It is eminently important that one communicates their concerns in a positive and respectful way. One should never place any shame, blame, or guilt on a person with bulimia. It would be best to understand this disorder, and know not to judge, insult, or comment on looks. Those are the best ways to help somebody with bulimia, with an overall sense of calmness and
One possible factor is biology. A person might inherit a gene from their parents that predisposes them to a susceptibility to eating disorders. While that may not be enough on its own, it certainly starts that person off on the wrong foot and if combined with other factors it can lead to an eating disorder. For example, an individual could inherit a slow metabolism causing them to put on weight faster than others, which in turn could cause them to develop an eating disorder to counteract the weight gain.
Bulimia nervosa is a chronic psychiatric disorder that haunts the lives of many young women. The disorder is characterized by frequent episodes of binge eating followed by some sort of purging. The purging usually involves self-induced vomiting and can cause great damage to the body. Persons diagnosed with bulimia nervosa have a loss of control over these behaviors. Affecting the lives of 3-5% of young women, bulimia is a problem that is spinning out of control and nothing seems to be able to stop it. Binge eating disorder is another psychiatric disease that causes problems for many people. In this disorder, persons binge frequently but do not attempt to compensate for their eating by using purging techniques such as those used by persons suffering from bulimia nervosa.
The typical age that an individual acquires anorexia nervosa is between 14 and 18 years old. However, it is possible to occur at any age (Comer, 2013).
Symptoms of bulimia can be quite invisible because the bulimic can maintain normal weight. Occasionally, patterns of behavior may signal a problem: Do they restrict certain food? Do they eat in a ritualistic way? Are they overly concerned with diet? Do they weigh themselves every day? Do large quantities of food disappear from the refrigerator? Do they visit the bathroom soon after meals or frequently? (Negri).
Often, the illness is triggered by a major change in the person’s life. Age and Extent Anorexia tends to start in early the early teens, whereas bulimia usually occurs in the late teens and older age groups. Sometimes bulimia develops out of anorexia, but can occur without a previous history of anorexia. It often persists over many years. It is known girls as young as 8 years of age had displayed an unhealthy pre-occupation with dieting.
When defining what it means to be an anorexic or a bulimic, the general population may not know the difference between the two. The concept of eating through bulimia, unlike anorexia, is very different; however the end-results of both are undoubtedly similar. Bulimia nervosa is the compulsive act of binge eating, a spree of over-eating large amounts of foods at one time. The person is able to consume around “3,000 to 5,000 calories in one short hour” (Segal & Smith, 2014). After the binge episode is over, the person immediately resorts to self-induce vomiting, intake of laxatives, or hard-hitting exercise for the fear of gaining weight. Historically, bulimia was not always seen as a disorder that equaled to having an unhealthy habit; it was actually the exact opposite to how society views it today. For ancient Romans, vomiting after a meal was quite normal as it was used to “make room for more feasting” (Williams, 2011). Eating large amounts of food in those times signified one’s wealth; therefore, the act of purging was related to that richness of status. Other cultures would use purgation as a remedy for many diseases as it was natural to assume that human illnesses came from the food that was eaten (Williams, 2011). Thus, the intentionality of these acts was medically-related and would aid in the relief of pain and sickness. However, those motives are non-existent and today’s modern views of bulimia are not seen as beneficial by any means.
Around 90 to 95 percent of cases of anorexia and bulimia nervosa occur in mainly females. Anorexia tends to develop between the ages of 14 and 18; bulimia on the other hand is more likely to develop in late teens or early 20’s.
With children as early as age 7 showing dissatisfaction with their body, and as young as 9 starting dieting, eating disorders are a serious issue in our society. Taking a look at perceptions, behaviors, and medical issues associated with the disorders of anorexia and bulimia, scholars have tried to categorize and find answers to the problems which certain adolescents suffer. In this paper I focused on the two major eating disorders of anorexia and bulimia.
Bulimia nervosa is a serious psychiatric illness. People who suffer from bulimia binge eat regularly and try compensating for their behavior by over exercising, purging and fasting; according to the National Library of Medicine a significant number of people with bulimia also have anorexia (Nordqvist, 2009). There are many warning signs and symptoms that come along with bulimia such as: binge eating, purging, over exercising, constant change in bodyweight, disappearing after eating to the restroom, depression, and damaged teeth (Nordqvist, 2009). Not only does bulimia affect ones physical appearance but it also affects a persons state of health because there are many consequences that come along with this disorder such as: sto...
Let’s start by defining what eating disorders are and who has them. Eating disorders are problems that are psychological in nature that result in inadequate or excessive food intake (Martini, Nath, Bartholomew, 2012). Eating disorders are a group of very serious conditions that leaves the affected so completely preoccupied with food and weight that they can focus on hardly anything else (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014). Examples of the main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. The majority of people suffering from eating disorders are female; however males can also be affected. Males are the exception to the rule when it comes to binge-eating disorder; it appears almost as many males as females are affected (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014). Eating disorders are usually diagnosed in adolescence (Newman & Newman 2012). Eating disorder detection has a broad age range, however most are between ages eleven and twenty (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014).
There are more women over men that are diagnosed with Bulimia. The disorder is more common in teenage girls and young women. The patient usually knows that his/her eating pattern is not normal. People with this disorder can be afraid or guilt with binge-purge episodes. The exact cause is unknown. There are other social/psychological problems that may increase the risk for bulimia such as: genetics, psychological, family, society, or cultural factors.
Bulimia affects a variety of different people, but generally the victims will fall tend to fall into certain categories. Those at highest vulnerability to this disease are young adult females, ages 12 to 18. The disease, however, can start as early as elementary school, or much later in life. Others (such as athletes competing in sports such as ballet, gymnastics, ice-skating, diving, etc.) may also be pressured into starting bulimic habits. Males who perform in athletics such as wrestling and dance are at high risk for developing the disease as well. Victims of bulimia can often be linked to being victims of verbal, physical, and/or sexual abuse, though not all are. Bulimia may also contain ties to diseases such as clinical or manic depression. Bulimics often start out with anorexa (starvation and excessive exercising), or may turn to anorexia after being bulimic.
Eating disorders are a serious health problem. Personal Counseling & Resources says that eating disorders "are characterized by a focus on body shape, weight, fat, food, and perfectionism and by feelings of powerlessness and low self-esteem." Three of the most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating or compulsive eating disorder. According to Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, a person with anorexia "refuses to maintain normal body weight for age and height" and "weighs 85 percent or less than what is what is expected for age and height." A person diagnosed with bulimia has several ways of getting rid of the calories such as binge eating, vomiting, laxative misuse, exercising, or fasting. The person might have a normal weight for their age and height unless anorexia is present. The signs of a compulsive eater include eating meals frequently, rapidly, and secretly. This person might also snack and nibble all day long. The compulsive eater tends to have a history of diet failures and may be depressed or obese (Anred.com).