Our society has given too much importance on being thin that some people have made the conclusion that thinness is a measure of success, beauty, and power. Today, crash diets, miracle diet pills, and compulsive exercises have become so popular in helping people achieve what they deem is the ideal weight without them realizing that these things would take a toll on their physical health.
Anorexia nervosa and bulimia, serious illnesses that pertain to eating disorders and distorted views on weight and eating, are also very rampant these days. Many people have grown concerned over the fact that a large number of the youth today are developing obsessions on body shape and weight because of different factors such as peer pressure, societal dictates, media influence, and low self-esteem.
But while many people are alarmed over this fact, not many know how to actually wage war and win against these eating disorders. Below are some practical insights about these conditions and helpful tips on how to treat it.
Definition Anorexia and bulimia are both eating disorders but they are not the same. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder accompanied by distorted views on body image and extreme fear in gaining weight. This condition can lead to death in severe cases left untreated. Bulimia, on the other hand, is characterized by periodic binge eating followed by vomiting, purging, fasting, use of laxatives, enemas, and over exercising.
Ways to Fights against these Conditions Encourage healthy relationships among the family - As they say, "home is where the heart is." If a family has healthy relationships and the parents are able to teach their children proper values, there are lesser chances for family members to be at risk of these kinds of illnesses. If parents are able to give guidance, support, love and care to children, they would not long for perfection and they would not have low self-esteem. Low self esteem and perfectionism can trigger the onset of eating disorders.
Detect signs and symptoms - Another way to fights against anorexia and bulimia is to know and recognize signs and symptoms so that you can take the steps necessary to combat these conditions.
Some of the general symptoms of anorexia include intense fear of obesity, distorted body image (some see themselves as fat even though they are already underweight), hair loss, amenorrhea (lack of menstruation), dry and flaky skin, hypertension, hypothermia, eating very slowly and for a long time, habitual cutting of food into very small pieces, habitual spitting out, throwing away or hiding of food, obsession on calorie counting, hyperactivity, social isolation, strange food rituals, irritability, mood swings, depression, perfectionism, and use of loose clothing to hide the body.
The bulimic, on the other hand, are known to have recurrent episodes of binge eating, weight fluctuations, deterioration or loss of teeth, purging, abuse of laxatives, intake of too much liquid, fasting, hyperactivity, habit of cutting food in large pieces and eating very quickly, lack of energy or will power, swelling of parotid glands (as a result of induced vomiting), guilt feelings, irritability, obsession about shape and weight, and alternation between depression and extreme happiness.
Engage in psychotherapy - Psychotherapy is a crucial step in treating bulimia and anorexia. Some people suffering from these disorders may not be aware or may not be willing to undergo this procedure but with proper push and motivation, you can make them. Some of the different kinds of therapy include cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.
Have medical treatment - Along with the psychotherapy, it is also a must to undergo a physical treatment of these conditions so that a medical doctor can monitor the patient's vital signs, hydration level, and cure the negative effects of anorexia or bulimia to the body.
Formulate a healthy diet and eating plan - With the help of a licensed dietitian, a patient would be able to acquire the proper number of calories of diet to attain a healthy state. Anorexia and bulimia are complex problems plaguing our society nowadays. Raising awareness about these conditions is the first step in waging war and winning against this.
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