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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
First, let’s take a look at the meaning of bulimia nervosa. According to Psychology Today, bulimia nervosa is characterized by
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.
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).
Bulimia nervosa is another eating disorder that includes a behavior pattern of alternating extreme bingeing, or overeating, with self-induced vomiting, fasting or abuse of laxatives or diuretics. Eating in a short period of time and having a sense o...
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.
Bulimia Nervosa; often is called Bulimia, it can be categorized into two different groups. Such as non-purging and purging. Bulimia has no known cause for this illness, bulimia affects mostly females aged from late teens to early adulthood.But males have the illness too. Signs of Bulimia include: Eating lots of high calorie/ high fat foods. Feeling bad about oneself after a binge. Feeling ashamed and depressed about one’s eating habits. Feelings that habits are out of control. (Eating disorders and weight control 26)
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).
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...
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.
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 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).