Diary Of An Anorexic Girl

Eating Disorders

Introduction:

Anorexia nervosa has been described by William Gull in 1868 and is characterized by intentional weight loss and extreme. In bulimia, episodes of binge eating followed by induced vomiting. There is considerable overlap between these two eating disorders.

1. Anorexia Nervosa:

Concerns about weight and dieting to lose weight are very common in the population, especially among young women. Anorexia nervosa is an extreme form of this behavior. The fear of being fat leads to the adoption of a starvation diet. The weight is at least 15% below normal, so that the body mass index (BMI) of 17.5 or less. Despite this, anorexics continue to believe they are overweight, even when faced with their reflection in the mirror thin. This distorted body image leads them to continue losing weight, and may adopt other methods such as excessive exercise, self-induced vomiting or abuse laxatives, diuretics or appetite suppressants such as amphetamines. They can worry about food, hoarding, or become very interested in the kitchen, creating meals prepared for their families while refusing to eat. Amenorrhea occurs in the early stages of weight loss and is an indication of a widespread endocrine disorder. Table 1 shows the signs and symptoms in anorexia nervosa.

2. Bulimia:

In bulimia nervosa there is also a fear of fatness, but the symptom characteristics is binge eating. "Cooked" is the consumption of enormous quantities of food in one sitting, especially carbohydrate-rich items such as biscuits, cakes and bread. They often occur in secret and away from meals. Some bulimics eat normally at other times, though calorie-controlled diets are common. A small number also suffer from anorexia nervosa. In bulimia, bulimia provoke feelings of guilt and disgust and the feeling of being out of control. These feelings lead to a desire to get rid of food, usually obtained by putting his fingers down his throat to induce vomiting. Many bulimics are finally able to spontaneously vomit. As with anorexia, abuse of laxatives and diuretics may be new threats to health. Despite the fear of gaining weight, many maintain a normal weight and may even be overweight. Menstruation is often normal.

Epidemiology

Bulimia is more common than anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa usually begins in adolescence, and bulimia some years later. Surveys of young women found a prevalence of 13% for bulimia and 1 to 2% for anorexia nervosa. Both are much more common among women than men. The occupations that depend on maintaining a low body weight, like ballet dancing and modeling, have a particularly high risk of anorexia.

Etiology

The etiology of anorexia and bulimia at a time is similar. There are many factors considered important and most cases will be due to a combination of causes.

Predisposing factors

• Cultural factors. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia are disorders of the rich developed world's diet.
  Western society has developed a stereotypical view of physical attractiveness which is "thin" with "beautiful", and encourages negative attitudes about obesity. The media bombards us with idealized images of underweight models alongside advertisements for confectionery. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to cultural pressures to conform and to be attractive.
• Genetic factors. Twin studies have shown that genetic factors play a role, perhaps by creating a vulnerability to weight loss, whereas the presence of environmental pressures from an eating disorder may develop .
  Posted on February 21, 2010.
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