Shame Of Shame

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Take a moment to envision all of the people with an eating disorder across the world. Additionally, consider how much shame these individuals place on themselves. According to the National Eating Disorder Association, approximately ten million women American women suffer from eating disorders (Mirasol). The majority of these individuals with an eating disorder look in the mirror every day and do not like what they see. “Patients with eating disorders determine their self-worth largely, or even solely, based on their body, and judge themselves according to their ability to control their eating, weight and shape, intensively fearing losing control over these aspects” (Matos, Marcela, et al. 39) Placing additional shame on these individuals should …show more content…

Shame is one of the biggest feelings that individuals with eating disorders have. They place shame on themselves and their bodies. When others are to make this worse, the result is very difficult to handle. Take for example an individual with Bulimia Nervosa who is disgusted with their own body. It is hard for this person to accept that they need help. Eventually, the individual decides to admit themselves to the hospital. When the individual returns to school, others are placing shaming for the way they look and how much smaller they are. How is this individual supposed to react to this? They were already ashamed with themselves and then someone had to point out what they were thinking. Mary Duffy and Kristen Henkel, members of the department of psychology at University of Saint Joseph, “reductions in shame have been associated with better outcomes in eating disorder treatment” (162) When individuals with eating disorders are treated to reduce the shame that they are feeling, it will be easier for them to change their …show more content…

According to a case study published in International Journal of Eating Disorders, “individuals with eating disorders use symptoms such as restrictive eating and binge/purge behaviors to experience temporary relief from the feeling of shame” (717). Their research proves how shame plays a direct role with eating pathology. When these individuals received help, their eating disorders were more controlled. These individuals feel as though they have nothing else to turn to. If this shame and stigma were to be removed from their condition, they would feel like it is easier for them to get help. While the case study is not saying that eliminating the shame will eliminate the eating disorder, it is saying that their binge or purge behaviors would be smaller. Why is this such a big deal? If an individual or someone close to them will understand why this is such a heavy concept. Shame can drive individuals to do things that they could never see themselves

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