People With Eating Disorders example essay topic

Addiction is having a devotion to something to a point where it becomes a habit and even obsessive. Anorexia and bulimia are forms of addiction (web). Eating disorders are patterns of persistent eating or dieting behavior. They can be caused by significant emotional, physical, and relational distress (web). Some eating disorders are Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge eating.

Anorexia is the relentless pursuit of thinness. Bulimia is the uncontrollable urge to eat large amounts of food in a short amount of time (Exploring Science 6th Edition Myers, David G). The media plays a big part in this it creates an artificial image that people are supposed to look picture perfect, such as supermodels and athletes. People with anorexia are unable to maintain there average body weight and height for their age (web). Most are afraid of gaining weight and usually see themselves as being fat, even thought they might be underweight (web).

People with anorexia often deal with depression and withdrawal. They begin strange behavior such as dividing there food into a "good / safe " category, and a "bad / dangerous " category (web). Individuals with Bulimia usually overeat during meals. After eating, they usually feel guilty and punish themselves by forcing themselves to vomit, or by using laxatives, enemas, or by over exercising (Exploring Science 6th Edition Myers, David G). They also deal with depression and loneliness often. People with Bulimia have difficulty talking about their inner feelings.

They also have anxiety depression, and anger (Exploring Science 6th Edition Myers, David G). They also might have problems with impulse control, shoplifting, and may be very sexually adventurous. They may also take in the habit to abuse drugs and alcohol depending on severity (web). People who binge eats are usually overweight.

They diet to make themselves hungry and then binge eat to make up for the hunger. However, also eat for emotional reasons because they feel it substitutes for their depression (web). Some of the warning signs of eating disorders are with food behavior (Exploring Science 6th Edition Myers, David G). They will usually skip meals or only eat a small portion. They will not eat in front of other people and they mix strange food combinations, they will also have an excuse to never eat. Suddenly they will stop eating their favorite foods and only eat a few "safe" foods.

Often find themselves wearing baggy clothes to cover up their "non-perfect" appearance (web). And will spend a lot of time looking at their selves in the mirror but never to compliment, just to find something to criticize there selves about. They will usually think that if they are thinner then they will feel better about themselves. However at times will deny anything is wrong with them when people attempt to help (web). Factors that may also encourage eating disorders to theses individuals are family, friends and in some cases the media. People who live in strict households feel as if they are pressured to be perfect (web).

Some children have verbally abusive parents and sometimes that may cause them to become depressed and begin the disorderly eating. High profile associates can also cause pressure. The media play and a lot of reality shows play a big part with people who have eating disorders by creating images of perfection. A couple of years back the Barbie doll was reasserted due to too many women's obsessions with trying to emulate her image. According to the industry, women have to have perfect slim bodies with perfect long hair and faultless make-up. And for men is to be more muscular, smart, and successful (web).

Like most addicts, people with eating disorders deny the fact that anything is wrong and resist treatment (web). After a while they begin to see that there is something wrong and that they will never be happy if they continue to bingeing on food. You can recover from eating disorders but most enter treatment tend to drop out of it due to lack of motivation and outside help. It could take as long as seven to ten years at times to recover from eating disorders. In order to recover fully, a person would have to maintain their normal body weight expected for their age (web). Women would have to have a regular menstrual cycle.

They would have to have a normal food diet, not just a low fat or a calorie cut down. They would need to have a sense of self-worth, goals and a way to achieve those goals. There are a lot of factors that go along with treating people with eating disorders. The best way to confront them would be to go see a physician or a counselor. Each person is different so the treatments taken would be different for every personality (web). If the case is serious the person would have to be hospitalized to prevent death or suicide.

The person would have to regain their normal weight and strength and will be given medication to relieve depression and anxiety. Individual counseling is given to develop a healthy way of taking over there life, and group counseling to learn how to have a healthy relationship with yourself. Nutritional counseling to get rid of food myths and plan healthy meals, in addition to a support group to clear isolation and alienation (web). In conclusion, eating disorders are a big problem all over the world, but in the American society especially.

Mostly caused by family and media pressure. Even though it may take long, there are several steps to take to recover. A good way to put it is eat healthy and you can bypass all these issues.