About Anorexia
Society has a major influence on the way people think. Fashion models and some magazines portray women as being almost too thin. This creates an illusion of what people should look like. Teenage girls feel that they need to deprive themselves of food in order to be beautiful. What may start out as an innocent diet can lead to anorexia, which is a compulsive psychosis. People suffering from the disorder often don't realize what they are doing to their health. They have an obsessive focus to be a certain size, which creates a warped perception of reality in their mind.
Identification
Anorexia is an eating disorder which affects both men and women. However, the main group which seems to be affected the most is teenage girls. People who suffer from anorexia view themselves as fat, even if they are thin and in shape. Mentally they feel as though they need to continue to lose weight, even at the expense of their own health.
Effects
The effects of anorexia can be devastating and life long. Anorexia results in poor nutrition which can cause other health conditions like rickets. Rickets is a condition that affects the bones, caused by a lack of vitamin D. Anorexia can lead to bone and hair loss, tooth decay and digestive issues. Other effects are infertility and even brain damage. The brain thrives on fat, and when the body is deprived of fat over a certain period of time, the brain can suffer.
Considerations
Anorexia has many triggers. Some of these triggers are believed to be pressures put on people by society. Other triggers are sexual and verbal abuse. A person trying to recover from anorexia will almost always need psychological counseling in order to correct the behavior.
Warning
If you think you or a friend has anorexia, ask yourself these questions: Do you or your friend constantly feel fat no matter how much you weigh? Is your actual weight in balance with your height? Find out by using a weight-height ratio calculator (see Resources below). Do you make food for other people, but avoid eating it for yourself? Do you feel guilty after you eat? Are you trying to hide your eating habits from other people?
Expert Insight
Dr. Linda Page, author of "Healthy Healing," says that "people who suffer from Anorexia often need to slowly incorporate healthy food back into their lives." This is mainly because of the major digestive changes which have taken place from the eating disorder. It is important to normalize metabolism and appetite by taking liquid supplements such as zinc and vitamins. Always take vitamins in small quantities at a time. Control stress and seek support.
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