Disclaimer!
This information is for informational purposes only, and is not intended in any way to be construed as medical advice. Please check with your registered medical practioner prior to taking any of these courses of action or remedies, especially if you are pregnant, are currently taking medication of any type, or if you have any doubts whatsoever about using any of the recipies, remedies or recommendations listed.
Eating Disorders
What are Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders are medical and psychological conditions that manifest as disturbed eating patterns. Some of the most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.
Often trivialised as the "slimmers disease", eating disorders are not just about food but an outward sign of deep psychological and emotional turmoil, an unconscious attempt to avoid or control painful feelings.
Who is most likely to suffer from an eating disorder?
Eating disorders can occur in all age groups but are commonest among young people in their teens and early twenties. There are many more people in their 20s, 30s, 40s and older who also suffer from eating disorders and recent research reports that the number of young people under the age of 14 who develop anorexia is also on the increase.
Nine times more females than males suffer from eating disorders.
Causes
No single cause of eating disorders has been identified. Causes are particular to each individual and may arise as an unhealthy coping strategy to avoid difficult and painful emotional issues; a way of asserting control over your life or as a reaction to stress. Often the disorder will develop as a result of unresolved feelings that span back over a number of years or following a series of events that make a person feel that they are no longer able to cope. These could include life events and personal or family situations such as...
• Family problems
• Sexual or emotional abuse
• Problems at work or school
• Striving to be a perfectionist
• Lack of close friends
• The belief that to be successful or loved you have to be thin
• Eagerness to please others
• Fear of growing up
