Since Anorexia/Bulimia is an increasingly common issue these days I've put together some useful information on the subject.
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What is Anorexia Nervosa?
Anorexia Nervosa is an eating condition that goes far beyond dieting, and like many addicts, anorexics deny having a problem. They see themselves as healthy, but others see the terrible damage to body and mind that anorexia causes. It is a psychological disorder usually affecting mainly girls or women, although boys or men can also suffer from it. It usually begins to occur throughout the young teenage years of 13 - 25. Once the individual begins to lose weight, this is seen as a sign achievement and control. The individual continues the endless cycle of restrictive eating often to a point close to starvation in order to feel a sense of control over the body. This cycle transforms into an obsession which is majorly hard to break out of.
People who have anorexia usually tend to hide it. Symptoms in teenagers can generally be hard to detect because some warning signs can easily be mistaken for normal adolescent development. Some people with anorexia exhibit some of the following warning signs and symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia:
Physical
- Extreme weight loss
- If female, your period will stop
- Over sensitivity to cold
- Lack of energy
- Thiness of hair, dry skin.
- Not seeming interested in anything
- Poor circulation, resulting in common attacks of 'pins and needles’
- Headaches/Stomachaches
Social
- Feeling anxious when eating
- Social withdrawal from activities
- Making excuses for not eating
- Depression and anxiety
- Irritability
Behavioral
- Obsession with food
- Wearing baggy clothing to disguise the amount of weight being lost
- Fear of gaining weight
- Frequently weighing oneself
- Increasing consumption of liquids
What is the cause?
No definite cause of anorexia nervosa is known as of yet, although it may be due to a combination of physical, emotional and social triggers. The precise cause for each case is highly dependant on the individual alone.
A few things that could trigger Anorexia:
- The strong desire to look and feel perfect
- Being unhappy with your body shape
- Low self-esteem
- Abuse
- Troubled family and personal relationships
- Depression, anxiety, anger, or loneliness
Treatment
There are various organisations that can help by providing information or support, including a confidential phone helpline. Even if you don't want to tell anyone you know yet, you can speak to someone in private. You don't have to give your name. Or you could go to your doctor. She/he might be very helpful. However, they may not be as well-informed as specialists eating disorders groups, and individual GPs vary in their attitudes. If you don't feel comfortable with their response, you can ring the helplines afterwards for suggestions.
It is possible to overcome and recover from Anorexia. Anorexia is difficult to overcome but it requires no less than strength, determination and courage, and with this it can be achieved.
A visit to the doctor or clinic is the first step in a process that can lead to recovery from anorexia. Among anorexics who are treated, 75 to 80 percent recover completely or make significant progress in regaining full health.
Further Information/Support Lines
The Eating Disorders Association
0845 634 1414 (adult helpline)
0845 634 7650 (youthline)
www.edauk.com
Mental Health Foundation
020 7803 1100
www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Anorexia and Bulimia Care
01462 423351
www.anorexiabulimiacare.co.uk
Eating Disorders
General helpline:
01603 621 414 (Mon – Fri 9am – 6.30pm) they also have a Youth Helpline for anyone under 18 with an eating problem:
01603 765 050 (Mon – Fri 4pm – 6pm)
Further Helplines - Click
Also, if you're feeling very down and need to talk immediately and anonymously:
The Samaritans
0345 909090 (24-hour)
or check their web site
www.samaritans.org.uk
------
BULIMIA
Bulimia is similar to Anorexia. With bulimia, a person eats and then tries to compensate in extreme ways, such as forced vomiting or excessive exercise, to prevent weight gain. Over time, these steps can be dangerous.
To be diagnosed with bulimia, a person must be binging and purging regularly, at least twice a week for a couple of months. Binge eating is different from going to a party and "pigging out" on pizza, then deciding to go to the gym the next day and eat more healthfully. People with Bulimia eat a large amount of food (often junk food) at once, usually in secret. The person typically feels powerless to stop the eating and can only stop once he or she is too full to eat any more. Most people with bulimia then bring it all up again by vomiting, but may also use laxatives or excessive exercise.
Although anorexia and bulimia are very similar, people with anorexia are usually very thin and underweight but those with bulimia may be a normal weight or even overweight.
Signs and Symptoms of Bulimia:
- Intense fear of weight gain
- Immensely unhappy with body size, shape, and weight
- Makes excuses to go to the bathroom immediately after meals
- May only eat diet or low-fat foods (except during binges)
- Regularly buys laxatives, diuretics, or enemas
- Sends most of his or her time working out or trying to work off calories
- Withdraws from social activities, especially meals and celebrations involving food
Effects
Constant vomiting and lack of nutrients can cause these problems:
- Constant stomach pains
- Damage to a person's stomach and kidneys
- Tooth decay (from exposure to stomach acids)
- Loss of periods
- Loss of the mineral potassium (this can contribute to heart problems and even death)
Treatment
Treatment is possible and can only be achieved with no less than determination and courage.
There are various organisations that can help by providing information or support, including a confidential phone helpline. Even if you don't want to tell anyone you know yet, you can speak to someone in private. You don't have to give your name. Or you could go to your doctor. She/he might be very helpful. However, they may not be as well-informed as specialists eating disorders groups, and individual GPs vary in their attitudes. If you don't feel comfortable with their response, you can ring the helplines afterwards for suggestions.
English Hotlines
Further Information/Support Lines
The Eating Disorders Association
0845 634 1414 (adult helpline)
0845 634 7650 (youthline)
www.edauk.com
Mental Health Foundation
020 7803 1100
www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Anorexia and Bulimia Care
01462 423351
www.anorexiabulimiacare.co.uk
Further Helplines - Click
American Hotlines
National Eating Disorders Association
Phone: (206) 382-3587
www.edap.org
Eating Disorders Information and Referral Line:
1-800-931-2237
National Crisis Line - Anorexia and Bulimia:
1-800-233-4357
Bulimia and Self-Help Hotline
24 hours crisis line
314-588-1683
Canadian Hotlines
National Eating Disorders Information Centre
Phone: (416) 340-4156
Toll-free: 1-866-633-4220
www.nedic.ca
Australian Hotlines
Eating Disorders Information Resource Centre:
(07) 38316900
Think someone you know has an eating problem?
Look out for the following:
- Always talking about food and calories
- Criticising own body weight/shape all the time
- Talking about other people's weight/shape a lot
- Skipping meals
- Wanting other people to eat but perhaps not themselves
- Going into the toilet loads of times – it could be they're being sick or taking laxatives
- Being withdrawn, perhaps secretive
- Being moody
References
https://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/anorexia.html
https://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=27
https://www.medicinenet.com/anorexia_nervosa/article.htm
https://www.trouble.co.uk/theclinic/disorder.html
--
What is Anorexia Nervosa?
Anorexia Nervosa is an eating condition that goes far beyond dieting, and like many addicts, anorexics deny having a problem. They see themselves as healthy, but others see the terrible damage to body and mind that anorexia causes. It is a psychological disorder usually affecting mainly girls or women, although boys or men can also suffer from it. It usually begins to occur throughout the young teenage years of 13 - 25. Once the individual begins to lose weight, this is seen as a sign achievement and control. The individual continues the endless cycle of restrictive eating often to a point close to starvation in order to feel a sense of control over the body. This cycle transforms into an obsession which is majorly hard to break out of.
People who have anorexia usually tend to hide it. Symptoms in teenagers can generally be hard to detect because some warning signs can easily be mistaken for normal adolescent development. Some people with anorexia exhibit some of the following warning signs and symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia:
Physical
- Extreme weight loss
- If female, your period will stop
- Over sensitivity to cold
- Lack of energy
- Thiness of hair, dry skin.
- Not seeming interested in anything
- Poor circulation, resulting in common attacks of 'pins and needles’
- Headaches/Stomachaches
Social
- Feeling anxious when eating
- Social withdrawal from activities
- Making excuses for not eating
- Depression and anxiety
- Irritability
Behavioral
- Obsession with food
- Wearing baggy clothing to disguise the amount of weight being lost
- Fear of gaining weight
- Frequently weighing oneself
- Increasing consumption of liquids
What is the cause?
No definite cause of anorexia nervosa is known as of yet, although it may be due to a combination of physical, emotional and social triggers. The precise cause for each case is highly dependant on the individual alone.
A few things that could trigger Anorexia:
- The strong desire to look and feel perfect
- Being unhappy with your body shape
- Low self-esteem
- Abuse
- Troubled family and personal relationships
- Depression, anxiety, anger, or loneliness
Treatment
There are various organisations that can help by providing information or support, including a confidential phone helpline. Even if you don't want to tell anyone you know yet, you can speak to someone in private. You don't have to give your name. Or you could go to your doctor. She/he might be very helpful. However, they may not be as well-informed as specialists eating disorders groups, and individual GPs vary in their attitudes. If you don't feel comfortable with their response, you can ring the helplines afterwards for suggestions.
It is possible to overcome and recover from Anorexia. Anorexia is difficult to overcome but it requires no less than strength, determination and courage, and with this it can be achieved.
A visit to the doctor or clinic is the first step in a process that can lead to recovery from anorexia. Among anorexics who are treated, 75 to 80 percent recover completely or make significant progress in regaining full health.
Further Information/Support Lines
The Eating Disorders Association
0845 634 1414 (adult helpline)
0845 634 7650 (youthline)
www.edauk.com
Mental Health Foundation
020 7803 1100
www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Anorexia and Bulimia Care
01462 423351
www.anorexiabulimiacare.co.uk
Eating Disorders
General helpline:
01603 621 414 (Mon – Fri 9am – 6.30pm) they also have a Youth Helpline for anyone under 18 with an eating problem:
01603 765 050 (Mon – Fri 4pm – 6pm)
Further Helplines - Click
Also, if you're feeling very down and need to talk immediately and anonymously:
The Samaritans
0345 909090 (24-hour)
or check their web site
www.samaritans.org.uk
------
BULIMIA
Bulimia is similar to Anorexia. With bulimia, a person eats and then tries to compensate in extreme ways, such as forced vomiting or excessive exercise, to prevent weight gain. Over time, these steps can be dangerous.
To be diagnosed with bulimia, a person must be binging and purging regularly, at least twice a week for a couple of months. Binge eating is different from going to a party and "pigging out" on pizza, then deciding to go to the gym the next day and eat more healthfully. People with Bulimia eat a large amount of food (often junk food) at once, usually in secret. The person typically feels powerless to stop the eating and can only stop once he or she is too full to eat any more. Most people with bulimia then bring it all up again by vomiting, but may also use laxatives or excessive exercise.
Although anorexia and bulimia are very similar, people with anorexia are usually very thin and underweight but those with bulimia may be a normal weight or even overweight.
Signs and Symptoms of Bulimia:
- Intense fear of weight gain
- Immensely unhappy with body size, shape, and weight
- Makes excuses to go to the bathroom immediately after meals
- May only eat diet or low-fat foods (except during binges)
- Regularly buys laxatives, diuretics, or enemas
- Sends most of his or her time working out or trying to work off calories
- Withdraws from social activities, especially meals and celebrations involving food
Effects
Constant vomiting and lack of nutrients can cause these problems:
- Constant stomach pains
- Damage to a person's stomach and kidneys
- Tooth decay (from exposure to stomach acids)
- Loss of periods
- Loss of the mineral potassium (this can contribute to heart problems and even death)
Treatment
Treatment is possible and can only be achieved with no less than determination and courage.
There are various organisations that can help by providing information or support, including a confidential phone helpline. Even if you don't want to tell anyone you know yet, you can speak to someone in private. You don't have to give your name. Or you could go to your doctor. She/he might be very helpful. However, they may not be as well-informed as specialists eating disorders groups, and individual GPs vary in their attitudes. If you don't feel comfortable with their response, you can ring the helplines afterwards for suggestions.
English Hotlines
Further Information/Support Lines
The Eating Disorders Association
0845 634 1414 (adult helpline)
0845 634 7650 (youthline)
www.edauk.com
Mental Health Foundation
020 7803 1100
www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Anorexia and Bulimia Care
01462 423351
www.anorexiabulimiacare.co.uk
Further Helplines - Click
American Hotlines
National Eating Disorders Association
Phone: (206) 382-3587
www.edap.org
Eating Disorders Information and Referral Line:
1-800-931-2237
National Crisis Line - Anorexia and Bulimia:
1-800-233-4357
Bulimia and Self-Help Hotline
24 hours crisis line
314-588-1683
Canadian Hotlines
National Eating Disorders Information Centre
Phone: (416) 340-4156
Toll-free: 1-866-633-4220
www.nedic.ca
Australian Hotlines
Eating Disorders Information Resource Centre:
(07) 38316900
Think someone you know has an eating problem?
Look out for the following:
- Always talking about food and calories
- Criticising own body weight/shape all the time
- Talking about other people's weight/shape a lot
- Skipping meals
- Wanting other people to eat but perhaps not themselves
- Going into the toilet loads of times – it could be they're being sick or taking laxatives
- Being withdrawn, perhaps secretive
- Being moody
References
https://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/anorexia.html
https://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=27
https://www.medicinenet.com/anorexia_nervosa/article.htm
https://www.trouble.co.uk/theclinic/disorder.html
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