Everyone has a relationship with food - it keeps us alive, however sometimes people can become obsessive with food and eating problems can occur which can become damaging to the emotional and physical health of a person...
Eating disorders can be seen as avoiding the real problem (which may be too painful) and concentrating on food and eating instead. A coping mechanism for problems in life which they feel unable to solve.
Possible causes for eating disorders:
Low self-esteem, abusive relationships, feelings of lack of control in life, feeling that everything needs to be perfect, distorted body image, unhappiness in life that is expressed through food.
It could also be that people feel pressured from the images in the media as to what sort of shape their body is expected to be - if you do not fit the thin image then you are not as desirable. Some with eating disorders may feel that they are more likely to be happy or successful if they become more like these images.
"The thing is that although I was told that I had an eating disorder - I actually was
not concerned about it as I saw it as being the least of my problems"
Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa and Compulsive Eating are the most common types of eating disorders...
Anorexia:
Dramatic weight loss
Having a distorted perception of how you look
(seeing yourself as fat even though you are thin)
Having anxiety about gaining weight or feeling fat
Anorexia is a desire for thinness and can lead to voluntary starvation
Anorexics may find food disgusting and refuse to eat
Bulimia:
Eating binges followed by vomiting
Lack of control during eating binges
Vomiting or using laxatives to get rid of food eaten
Many sufferers describe periods of anxiety, loneliness and unhappiness with the way their life is. They have strict dietary rules - but when broken, bingeing often follows
Compulsive Eating:
This is a habit of eating more food than necessary for the body, over long periods of time. This can be done as a way to comfort or distract themselves from problems or unhappiness. Can lead to becoming overweight and causes medical problems.
TOP TIPS
1. Eating disorder sufferers usually deny they have a problem. The first step to recovery is the realisation that it is a problem. Once you recognise the problem then there are things, which can be done.
2. Compiling a food and event diary can be useful to see how your moods and feelings affect your eating. This may give you a better understanding of how emotions and food are linked.
Eating Disorders Association 01603 765 050
Youth help line for under 18's information and support 4.pm - 6.30pm weekdays
Eating disorders help line 01603 621 414 (9.am - 6.pm)
Youthline 0845 634 7650 - Eating disorders (4.pm - 6.pm) Mon - Fri
