Eating Disorder Resources ~ Anorexia
Anorexia Nervosa is arguably the most deadly eating disorder. If anorexia had to be described in one word, it would be starvation. Those afflicted with this disorder systematically starve themselves to dangerous levels, at least 15% below what would be considered a normal weight. Anorexia can, and often does, start quite innocently. A girl or woman loses a little weight. She receives positive reinforcement from others. She is encouraged to lose more. She starts eliminating many items from her diet: fat, carbohydrates, meat, etc. She loses more weight and is proud of herself. Before she knows it, her entire life is dictated by food, dieting, exercise, size and weight.
Anorexia is extremely pervasive. Whereas this disorder historically manifested in a particular social class, ethnicity and age group, these days, everyone is vulnerable. Children as young as six years old and women far into their later years are being diagnosed with anorexia.
Warning signs do exist. These include obsessive dieting, rapid weight loss, preoccupation with food, calories and nutrition, extreme exercising, frequent weighing and loss of menstrual period.
As difficult as it is to imagine, those with anorexia actually become addicted to the behavior. As such, they are loathed to give it up. This makes trying to help these individuals very challenging. But help really is needed because the long-term medical consequences of starvation are enormous.
Remember... Anorexia is not a harmless game or clever technique to garner attention; it is a very real disease that must be treated as such. If you or someone you know has anorexia please get professional help.
Discover more about this important topic by checking out the Articles Library.
Articles
Anorexia Symptoms
For most people, anorexia is extremely difficult to understand. It is not a diet gone too far or a game played by a young girl to get attention from friends or a member of the family. Anorexia is a psychiatric disorder, not unlike depression or anxiety. Very simply defined, anorexia is self starvation. Those with this disorder literally starve themselves to a state of severe emaciation, or even death. And the thing is ... once they start, it is very difficult to end the behaviors and go back to normal eating. This disease impacts everything: work, home, health, friendships ... life.
Anorexia symptoms are physical, biological and behavioral. Because dieting is a key part of anorexia, many of the most common symptoms surround food and dieting. A female with anorexia diets obsessively, when she is not overweight. In fact, she may have experienced a recent rapid weight loss -- 15% or more below her normal body weight. Yet, she will constantly complain that she feels "fat," when this is clearly not a reality. Frequent weighing, even several times in one day, is fairly standard. Though dieting is always on her mind, so is the topic of food. It is not unusual for those with anorexia to have an extreme preoccupation with food, calories, nutrition, and/or cooking. As an extension of this, it is not unusual for a person with this disorder to talk about food a great deal... Read More
Causes of Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are complex diseases and not just a condition that can be treated with willpower. They meet the definition of a disease because like other diseases they have a particular destructive process for an individual, with a specific cause (that cause can be either known or unknown), and display characteristic symptoms. All eating disorders are primary diseases and not the secondary result of some other disorder. They are chronic conditions with an identifiable progression and predictable symptoms. Eating disorders arise out of the combination of genetic, sociological, and psychological factors... Read More
Resources
Anorexia Hope Blog ~ Specifically for anorexia sufferers. Find hope, inspiration, and recovery resources here!
Share your experiences with us! Become part of the Anorexia Hope network of recovering friends. Join the Anorexia Hope Blog.
Informative and Helpful Websites:
Anorexia Reflections: A warm, inviting and informative website designed and maintained by a special woman who shares her experience, strength and hope with others.
Important Non-Profit Organizations that Support Eating Disorder Research, Treatment & Recovery:
National Eating Disorder Association: The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is the largest not-for-profit organization in the United States working to prevent eating disorders and provide treatment referrals to those suffering from anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder and those concerned with body image and weight issues.
Academy for Eating Disorders: The Academy for Eating Disorders is an international transdisciplinary professional organization that promotes excellence in research, treatment and prevention of eating disorders. The AED provides education, training and a place for collaboration and professional dialogue.
Eating Disorders Coalition: Mission to advance the federal recognition of eating disorders as a public health priority.
Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc: A nonprofit organization that provides information about anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other less well-known food and weight disorders. Our material includes self-help tips and information about recovery and prevention.
International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals: The International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (iaedp™) is well recognized for its excellence in providing first-quality education and high-level training standards to an international multidisciplinary group of various healthcare treatment providers and helping professions, who treat the full spectrum of eating disorder problems.
National Assoc of Anorexia Nervosa & Related Disorders: The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, Inc. is a non-profit corporation which seeks to alleviate the problems of eating.
***Please consider donating to these outstanding organizations to further their efforts in healing eating disorders and promoting well-being.