The Unattainable Lightness of Being: Eating Disorder Madness
These days it seems like everyone is on a diet, or at least watching their weight. Many of us obsess over our intake of fats sugars, or carbs.
The question is, when does normal moderation become not normal? Obsessions with weight and physical looks have resulted into a steep climb of eating disorders. Over 5 million people in the United States suffer from some type of eating disorder, more commonly in women.
Many of us know the names: anorexia nervosa and bulimia. But what people don’t know is how dangerous and potentially fatal eating disorders can be. People who suffer from anorexia nervosa have a disturbed body image, an extreme fear of gaining weight, and will do whatever it takes to be thin. Bulimia is characterized by obsessive eating, then purged through excessive use of laxatives or diuretics fasting, vomiting, and excessive exercise. With anorexia, bulimia, or other eating disorders not otherwise specified, extremely disturbed eating behaviors become a practical method of altering a perceived, and usually distorted, negative body image.
The Health Risks of Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are treatable medical illnesses; however their underlying causes are so complex and varied that they can be very challenging to treat. Eating disorders can be complicated by problems with the central nervous system and have also been known to recur within families.
Other common results are associated with temperamental features like perfectionism, low self-esteem, and an extreme need for control. Psychiatric illnesses like anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, clinical depression, and substance abuse often occur with a person suffering from an eating disorder.
Anorexia affects virtually all the organ systems. Anorexics are subject to
- bradycardia (slow heartbeat)
- arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat)
- hypotension (low blood pressure)
- heart failure
- osteoporosis
- osteopenia
Bulimia sufferers experience
severe dehydration
swollen salivary glands
kidney problems
chronically inflamed throat
gastroesophageal reflux disorder
instestinal distress (from laxative abuse)
and worn tooth enamel (from stomach acid traveling through the mouth)
Essentially, we’re dealing with starvation, whether it be anorexia or bulimia. As anyone would expect, eating disorders have a profound psychological and physical effects on a person and should be treated with care. Our network of drug rehab centers has a great eating disorder rehab called The Victorian. Call us for more information about getting treatment for an eating disorder at The Victorian.
