Low Self Esteem example essay topic

How Low Self-Esteem affects Anorexia Outline I. Anorexia has no certain causes, but it has been determined that psychological, environmental, and physiological factors play a role. A. Self-esteem is both a psychological and physiological factor of low self-esteem. B. Girls and young women are most commonly associated with low self-esteem and anorexia. II. 'Self-Esteem is how you think and feel about yourself. ' ; (McWilliams and Roger, 361) People can reach low self-esteem levels in a variety of ways. A. People with low self-esteem don't think they " re worth taking care of. B. Young people's self-esteem can be effected by parents and peers.. With low self-esteem, a young girl wants to have the confidence that it seems everyone else has. A. They may develop anorexia because they are dissatisfied with themselves. B. An anorexia will take drastic measures to change her body image in an attempt to fit in. An Conclusion: It has not yet been pin-pointed what the exact cause of anorexia is.

Many factors play a role, including self-esteem. Children need to be showed love and caring in order to gain the appropriate levels of self-esteem. Anorexia is a big issue in society today. Girls and boys are developing anorexic symptoms as young as age five. While anorexia can be detected in boys, girls, men, and / or women of all ages, 'the most common ages of onset [remains] between thirteen and twenty-two. ' ; (Levenkron, 1) Anorexia is an eating disorder.

People who develop anorexia are usually 'afraid of becoming obese and [have] such a distorted image of [their] body, that [they] steadfastly [refuse] to eat even when... hungry. ' ; (Mathews, 29) The' [eating] disorder [becomes] a disease... when problems of the mind create problems for the body. ' ; (Levenkron, 5) Scientists have been studying and researching the causes of anorexia since it was first introduced as a disease in the 19th century. An exact cause of anorexia has not yet been determined, although scientists do know that one of three factors usually play a role in the onset.

Psychological, environmental, and / or physiological factors are most commonly the determinate's of the onset of anorexia. 'The major psychological features seem to bethe fear of maturing and the fear of loss of control. ' ; (Mathews, 31) Many anorexics confirm that they do become fearful of losing control in their life, which is why they turn to starvation and deprivation. By becoming anorexic or developing anorexic patterns, they are able to control their food intake and weight.

Scientists also believe that most anorexics develop the disease due to low self-esteem. Girls, who are the most commonly associated with anorexia, are often commonly associated with low self-esteem. Anorexics with low self-esteem often develop the disease in attempts to gain higher levels of self-esteem and confidence. Low self-esteem can be categorized as both a psychological and physiological cause of anorexia. 'Self-esteem is how you think and feel about yourself-how you regard yourself. ' ; (McWilliams and Roger, 361) Most people have a healthy level of self-esteem, but in the case of anorexics and " people with low self-esteem [they] don't think they " re worth taking care of.

' ; (Johnson, 122) This pattern of thinking develops into a lifestyle in anorexics. The anorexia is sometimes a form of self-punishment for not fitting in with peers, not being accepted by family or idols, or not feeling equal to the people they know. 'Young people's self-esteem is affected by whoever performs the role of parents, as well as a few significant others. ' ; (Myers and Myers, 65) When a child feels that they are not equal to others or do not feel accepted, their self-esteem level can severely plummet, which may lead to diseases like anorexia. Another way that self-esteem is affected is by the social messages that are delivered everyday. Many messages are sent across that people will tease and make fun of you because of your size, people who are overweight will never really be emotionally happy, and that overweight men and women are not capable of being attractive or loved.

From these messages, a young child is taught to think that being overweight is wrong. If the messages are molded into the child's everyday life, he or she may grow up afraid of gaining any amount of weight. The fear of gaining any extra weight is more prominent in 'young girls and women [because they] have been [bounded] by the thin ethic. ' ; (Levenkron, 48) Girls and women grow up with the Barbie doll image. Unknowingly, girls become accustomed to the images of thin Barbie dolls and anorexic models. The images, if set in their mind at an early age, become a natural part of life.

The young girls may assume that Barbie is what they should look like because Barbie is constantly in their environment and their parents approve of the child's playmate. A child may look at a Barbie doll like '... so many [others] look for self-confidence and self-respect everywhere except within themselves. ' ; (Johnson, 22) Anorexia can also occur when girls are trying to compete for attention or be prettier than their friends. She may be crying out for attention from her parents by becoming the center of attention within her family. The anorexic may begin to have' [fears] that others will become skinnier that she is.

[That may] become a paranoid focus for the anorexic. ' ; (Levenkron, 5) With low self-esteem, a young girl wants to have the confidence that it seems everyone else has. If the girl finds that she could become popular or attractive by losing weight, they may take extreme measures like becoming anorexic. Buti f they have to compete to stay skinny, or at least feel as though they have to compete, the anorexic's patterns could worsen and self-esteem levels may drop dramatically.

People with low self-esteem are people who may: ' 1. Seem to verbally and actively reject themselves; 2. Are dissatisfied with themselves; 3. May even hold themselves in contempt; 4. Do not like the selves they see in relation to others; 5. Find this picture of themselves disagreeable and wish it were different, but may not have confidence in making any changes.

' ; (Myers and Myers, 73) The people with these tendencies are also likely to develop anorexia. Many of the tendencies, including 'being dissatisfied with themselves,' ; are symptoms of anorexia. People with low self-esteem try to change anything that they can about themselves, and their physical appearance / weight is usually the easiest way. Anorexia is an extremely unhealthy disease that may bring deadly consequences. Even though an exact cause of anorexia has not been found yet, we can at least see ways in which it may be possible to prevent serious cases of anorexia. In The Dynamics of Human Communication: A Laboratory Approach, written by Gail E. Myers and MicheleTolela Myers, it is said that positive self-esteem is often developed in adolescents who have attitude of acceptance by parents, clearly defined and enforced limits and respect and latitude for individual action with the defined limits.

(65) If children can maintain a healthy self-esteem level, they may not feel the need to turn to anorexia for comfort. While things like genes can be a cause of anorexia, it can be helpful for a parent to show that a child is accepted, which can raise self-esteem levels.

Bibliography

Johnson, Carol A. Self-Esteem Comes in All Sizes: How to be Happy and Healthy at your Natural Weight. New York: Bantam, 1995 Levenkron, Steven.
Treating and Overcoming Anorexia Nervosa. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1982.
Mathews, John R. Eating Disorders. New York: Facts on File Inc., 1991.
McWilliams, Peter and Roger, John. Life 101: Everything we Wish we had Learned about in School -- but didn't. California: Prelude Press, 1990.
Myers, Gail E. and Myers, Michele The T. Dynamics of Human Communication: A Laboratory Approach. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1973.