Eating Disorders Damage - Essay Example

Eating Disorders Eating disorders make up a ification of health conditions that are “defined by abnormal eating habits that may involve either insufficient or excessive food intake (Alexander & Treasure, 2011)” and that have the ability to damage an individual’s physical and mental well-being. Eating disorders often come as a result of low self-esteem or poor self-image. While eating disorders are more prevalent among teenage girls, males and females of any age also risk developing and being affected by them. People tend to rely on eating disorders to help them become more satisfied with their body or overall appearance, though they seldom realize that eating disorders can only lead to further complications, including death. The category of eating disorders encompasses a variety of different conditions. The two most well-known types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa is characterized by a significant lack of eating and an increase in exercising. Bulimia nervosa is marked by excessive eating, which is then followed by purging, such as self-induced vomiting or an extreme use of laxatives. Binge eating is even more common than anorexia and bulimia, though people seem to forget that it is an eating disorder since individuals with this disorder eat without purging. Binge eating involves compulsive overeating, during which individuals eat more than is necessary, causing them to gain significant amounts of weight. All of the aforementioned disorders, as well as those not discussed, are sought and utilized with the belief that one can take complete control of their weight, regardless of the potential health consequences. There is no distinctive cause of any type of eating disorder, though psychological and environmental abnormalities are thought to be the primary triggers. It has also been considered that biology may prompt a predisposition in individuals for developing an eating disorder. The belief is that “Genetics loads the gun, environment pulls the trigger (Shapiro, 2011).” Those who have a predisposition are unaware of it until something in their environment makes itself known. This is where low self-esteem and distorted or negative self-image come into play, as well as the affects that media, peers, and coworkers may have on an individual’s view of themselves. As such, there are three potential categories of eating disorder causes: psychological, environmental, and the aforementioned biological; however, these three categories can act in a domino effect, with one aspect sparking the next until an individual develops an eating disorder. Psychological causes of eating disorders are those that emotionally alter how an individual perceives themselves. If they have low self-esteem, a distorted self-image, or are perfectionists in regard to every aspect of their lives, they may be compelled to utilize an eating disorder to get them as close to perfection as possible. An individual might turn to food, or away from food, if they find themselves in a less than happy relationship, especially one in which their partner has made remarks about their appearance. Impulsive behavior is another psychological cause, which is when an individual would, without considering the consequences, engage in activities connected to eating disorders, such as starving themselves. Environmental causes of eating disorders are thought to be among the most common causes of eating disorders (Moe, 2009), which is the category that media, society, and peers have influence in. We live in a society that idolizes thinness; any image other than skin-and-bones is considered unacceptable. Movie stars, musicians, and other people that are constantly in the public eye reinforce this concept, prompting many young people to feel that their bodies are inadequate. This significantly lowers their self-esteem and they go about destroying their bodies to achieve this ideal, albeit misleading, image of perfection. Furthermore, peer pressure can cause an individual to contemplate their weight against the weight of others, which can lead to an eating disorder. If they do not compare to their friends or even strangers, then they do what they feel they must to achieve the perfect and ideal body. This desire to obtain a thin and supposedly perfect body, as well as an obsession with food, are the most notable symptoms of eating disorders, and often among the first to appear. Though this does not necessarily hold true for bulimia or binge eating, an obsession over one’s weight and with food are still important symptoms of all eating disorders. Otherwise, each type of eating disorder has its own symptoms. The symptoms that are characteristic of anorexia are a refusal to eat, fear of eating in public, a thin appearance, abdominal pain, menstrual irregularities, dry skin, and low blood pressure. Symptoms that are associated with bulimia include going to the bathroom during or right after meals, tooth decay and damaged gums, sores in the mouth, and dehydration. The most common symptoms of binge eating are eating incredibly fast and often eating alone. Unfortunately, the aforementioned symptoms are far from where the effects of eating disorders end. Since eating disorders are damaging to one’s health and body, people who suffer from eating disorders risk other health complications. Such complications include heart problems, loss of bone mass, digestive issues, and multiple organ failure. Many eating disorder patients also experience depression or suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The most severe consequence of an eating disorder is death as bodies cannot survive without food, nor can they withstand the destruction that comes with having an eating disorder (Mehler, 2010). When bodies are not being properly cared for, they cease functioning properly or shut down. To determine if an individual is suffering from an eating disorder, a variety of tests are conducted, including physical and psychological evaluations. Doctors first want to rule out other health issues that may be leading to excessive weight loss or weight gain, such as pneumonia, depression, or stress. The physical evaluations consist of monitoring heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature, examining the abdomen, blood tests to check electrolytes and protein, and x-rays or electrocardiograms to check for heart irregularities. The psychological evaluation will focus on the individual’s eating habits and beliefs in regard to dieting and exercising, as well as how they perceive their body and how they feel others perceive it. These tests not only rule out other disorders and diseases, but also helps to pinpoint the exact type of eating disorder that the individual may have so that the proper treatment can be issued. Once the eating disorder has been properly diagnosed, the individual can begin the treatment process. The first treatment method that doctors usually recommend is therapy, which can help to determine the trigger event that caused the person to develop an eating disorder. Once this event has been considered, the therapist will aid the individual in finding healthier alternatives to handling their problems. Therapy can help the individual improve their relationships, learn coping methods for stressful situations, and find a healthy balance of dieting and exercise. Weight restoration and nutrition education are often implemented into therapy. Group and family therapies are also recommended, which can assist in the formation of a support group for the individual. In the case that therapy is not enough, doctors might prescribe medications that are designated for specific symptoms. Anti-depressants, anti-anxiety, and mood inhibitors can treat mood imbalances, making it easier for the individual to think clearly and more productively. When deemed appropriate, doctors may also prescribe medications that can increase hunger for those that suffer from anorexia or help to control hunger for those that have been given a diagnosis of bulimia. Sometimes medications are prescribed before therapy. This is done to ensure that the patient receives the proper treatment with the clearest mind. Should an individual have accompanying suicidal thoughts or behaviors, hospitalization is encouraged. Just as other aspects of eating disorders are not set in stone, neither are methods of prevention. There is no single procedure that guarantees the avoidance of eating disorders. However, there are ways to discourage the onset of an eating disorder. First and foremost, it is important to “cultivate and reinforce a healthy body image (Piran & Levine, 1999)”, and this should be complemented by encouraging healthy eating habits and an active lifestyle without excessive dieting or exercising; moderation is an important factor. Also, at the first signs of self-esteem or self-image problems, professional help should be immediately sought before an eating disorder can take the toll on someone’s body, health, and their life. Eating disorders are serious health conditions that run rampant in our image-obsessed society. Though causes range from psychological to biological, the most common is environmental as individuals compare themselves to the unhealthy standards imposed by others. The symptoms vary from each disorder, but the most usual signs are an obsession with one’s weight and with food. If eating disorders are not treated in a timely manner, individuals can risk further health complications, including death. Treatment options are many, including therapy, medication and, when appropriate, hospitalization. There is no surefire way to prevent an eating disorder, but if people are encouraged to believe that there is no single perfect body image, they stand a better chance at finding respect for themselves and their bodies. References Alexander, J., & Treasure, J. (2011). A collaborative approach to eating disorders. London: Routledge. Mehler, P. S. (2010). Eating disorders: Medical care and complications (2nd ed.). Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press. Moe, B. A. (2009). Understanding the causes of a negative body image. New York: Rosen Publishing Group. Piran, N., & Levine, M. P. (1999). Preventing eating disorders: A handbook of interventions and special challenges. Philadelphia, PA: Brunner/Mazel. Shapiro, C. M. (2011). Eating disorders: Causes, diagnosis and treatments. New York: Nova Science Publisher. Presentation Notes Eating disorders are often caused by low self-esteem, a negative or distorted self-image, or the expectations and pressure of society. The most common types of eating disorders are anorexia (not eating), bulimia (eating and purging), and binge eating (eating excessively). Typical symptoms of eating disorders include an obsession with food and with one’s weight, excessive weight gain or weight loss, and a gradual deterioration of the body, such as dry skin, dehydration, decaying teeth, and high or low blood pressure. If an eating disorder is not treated in a timely manner, an individual can experience multiple organ failure and even death as the body is not being given the care that it needs to function properly. Treatment can include anything from therapy, which helps an individual determine the cause of their eating disorder and discover healthier ways to cope with stress and problems with their self-image; medication, which is aimed at treating separate symptoms; and hospitalization, which is usually reserved for patients who are displaying suicidal behavior. There are no definite techniques to preventing eating disorders, but the risk can be significantly increased if people are taught that there is no such thing as a perfect body image, and therefore pointless to attempt to achieve one. Eating disorders are significant to health because without eating, or with excessive eating, individuals risk causing more harm than good to their bodies. Eating disorders are very common in our society because of the importance that we tend to put on thinness as being a perfect body type; celebrities only press the importance of this ideal body image. The sooner that people understand how dangerous eating disorders are, and how the perfect body image is just a myth when overall health is taken into consideration, the sooner individuals can start accepting and respecting their bodies without killing risking their lives. Read More