" They all talk
of hospital,
but I don't
feel ill.
even when weak to the point of collapse
I do not feel ill.
it is so far away
too far from reality to be a problem.
they are worried about nothing
I feel there is nothing
wrong"
- Christine Fontana from 'Stick
Figure' |
There are many people who have a dysfunctional relationship
with food and whilst it is clinically convenient to put
a label on them, not everyone will fall strictly within
the parameters listed for a particular disorder. However,
it is apparent that certain psychological and emotional
problems are associated with particular eating disorders. |
Anorexia Nervosa
Signs & Characteristics:
- An extreme desire to be thin, to an unhealthy level
- An extreme fear of weight gain or becoming fat
- A belief that they are overweight, even when actually
they are underweight
- A deliberate maintenance of a very low body weight
- Menstrual cycles often cease
- Obsessive exercising
- Obsessive weighing
- Dry yellow skin and brittle nails/hair
- Lanugo (fine body hair) on the face and body
- Eating alone
- Obsessive interest in food preparation but not wanting
to eat
Although anorexia nervosa is usually associated with
teenage girls, boys are also at risk as are older adults.
There are usually a number of factors involved in the
development of any eating disorder but behind the development
of anorexia nervosa, is often a history of sexual
abuse or other severe traumas, along with a feeling
of lack of control over one's life. Obsessive control
of diet can relieve some of the stress created by this.
An anorexic person may literally, hope to disappear and
thus avoid attracting unwanted attention.
Bulimia Nervosa
Signs & Characteristics:
- Regular eating binges - the consumption of large
quantities of food in a short period of time
- Feeling out of control about the food intake
- This is followed by feelings of guilt and fear about
becoming fat
- A need to get rid of the binged food, through the
use of laxatives, vomiting or diuretics
- Not eating for several days after a binge
- Usually the bulimic person is not underweight
- Being secretive about the types/quantities of food
eaten
- Visiting the bathroom immediately after eating
- Decaying teeth and sore throat
- Being tired all the time
- Being very self critical
- Being moody and depressed
|
It is not unusual for someone to change
from being anorexic to bulimic and even to alternate
between the two states. However, binging is generally
associated with someone who needs to find a way to cope
with depression, sadness and anger.
Comfort Eating
Signs & Characteristics:
- Regularly using foods to escape feelings that are
overwhelming
- Eating when not hungry but in response to emotions
- Feeling guilty after eating
- Feeling better for a short time after eating, then
uncomfortable thoughts reoccur
Many people comfort eat occasionally but if it is a
regular feature of their life, then it may be a way of
avoiding facing emotional problems. Comfort eating, if
ignored, can lead to more serious eating disorders.
Over Eating
Signs & Characteristics:
- The person may be considerably overweight / obese
- Eating becomes obsessive
- Various health issues arise - diabetes, high blood
pressure, heart disease etc
- The person literally lives to eat
- Food is used to avoid thinking about emotional problems
- Fad diets are used
- They may lose weight dramatically but put it all
back on again
- No stability in their weight
- Constant or regular binge eating
As with anorexia nervosa, a clinically overweight person
may have a history of sexual
abuse or other severe trauma. The unspoken aim is
to make themselves as unattractive / unavailable as possible
to avoid sexual or other attention. There may also be depression
and unresolved personal issues behind the obsessive eating.
Unlike other eating disorders, men appear to be equally
likely to overeat.
Back to the top of this page |
The
RetailGuru created and maintains this website. 
