“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the first thing any girl should learn to do is notice their OWN beauty in the mirror.”
—Yana, 17, NY
What are eating disorders?
An eating disorders is when a person eats, or refuses to eat, in order to satisfy a psychological or emotional need and not a physical need. The person doesn't listen to bodily signals or perhaps is not even aware of them. A healthy person eats when hungry and stops eating when the body doesn't need more, when he or she feels the signal of satisfaction.
People who have distorted view of their bodies and how they look can be at risk for developing an eating disorder.
The two most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia. (However, there are other things people do to their bodies—like take a lot of diet pills, exercise compulsively, over-eat, etc.—that are also dangerous.)
People with anorexia nervosa, or “anorexia,” become obsessed with how much food they eat. They may be rail thin, but when they look in the mirror, they think they’re fat. So they diet until they are eating next to nothing.
Anorexics are often really stressed about other things in their lives—like school or a relationship—and feel that if they can control what they eat, they can control the other problems, too.
People with anorexia might take tons of diet pills, use laxatives without really needing them or stop eating altogether at certain times. They might also make themselves vomit, because they’re so afraid of gaining weight.
People who are bulimic gorge—eating all kinds of stuff—and then vomit or take laxatives to get the food out of their bodies quickly. It’s called “binging and purging.”
Bulimics often use food to calm emotions and feel better about themselves. It doesn’t work. Some anorexic people will also have periods when they are bulimic as well.
Eating disorders are caused by complex emotions, usually having to do with how people feel about themselves. Some think eating disorders are something a person can “just snap out of.” Not true.
People with eating disorders need counseling and support from their families and friends. That support includes not judging the person, and being patient and understanding as they work through their disease.
If you or someone you know has an eating disorder, please see the resources below. Also, talk with a trusted adult—a parent, teacher, school counselor, coach, neighbor, or other relative, for example. Ask for help. Left untreated, eating disorders can kill.
For more information, check out the National Eating Disorders Association and the The Renfrew Center.
For more information about food, weight or body-image issues, call The Renfrew Center at 1-800-RENFREW (736-3739) or visit their Web site.
People who have distorted view of their bodies and how they look can be at risk for developing an eating disorder.
The two most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia. (However, there are other things people do to their bodies—like take a lot of diet pills, exercise compulsively, over-eat, etc.—that are also dangerous.)
People with anorexia nervosa, or “anorexia,” become obsessed with how much food they eat. They may be rail thin, but when they look in the mirror, they think they’re fat. So they diet until they are eating next to nothing.
Anorexics are often really stressed about other things in their lives—like school or a relationship—and feel that if they can control what they eat, they can control the other problems, too.
People with anorexia might take tons of diet pills, use laxatives without really needing them or stop eating altogether at certain times. They might also make themselves vomit, because they’re so afraid of gaining weight.
People who are bulimic gorge—eating all kinds of stuff—and then vomit or take laxatives to get the food out of their bodies quickly. It’s called “binging and purging.”
Bulimics often use food to calm emotions and feel better about themselves. It doesn’t work. Some anorexic people will also have periods when they are bulimic as well.
Eating disorders are caused by complex emotions, usually having to do with how people feel about themselves. Some think eating disorders are something a person can “just snap out of.” Not true.
People with eating disorders need counseling and support from their families and friends. That support includes not judging the person, and being patient and understanding as they work through their disease.
If you or someone you know has an eating disorder, please see the resources below. Also, talk with a trusted adult—a parent, teacher, school counselor, coach, neighbor, or other relative, for example. Ask for help. Left untreated, eating disorders can kill.
For more information, check out the National Eating Disorders Association and the The Renfrew Center.
For more information about food, weight or body-image issues, call The Renfrew Center at 1-800-RENFREW (736-3739) or visit their Web site.
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Your Comments
Obsessive
Posted by: UndeniableMistakes on Nov 8th, 2008 5:34pm
My ex-girlfriend is my best friends sister. She constantly
worries because I don't eat for days on end. I don't crave
food, and I don't get hungry. I'm tall and male, and yet I
can fit into petite woman's clothes. I've been diagnosed
with anorexia and was put on a drug by my doctor because I
need to gain weight because of my constant exersize. My
friends are all worried for me. Is there anything i can do?
RE: bulimic..
Posted by: DanR on Aug 18th, 2008 11:20am
I am so glad that you found our page and that you are
looking into getting help. It is very brave of you! Here
is the phone number for the Eatting Disorders Information
and Referral Helpline. 1-800-931-2237.
The Eating Disorders
Information and Referral Helpline provides services, help
and support to people with eating disorders. Helpline hours
are available at www.nationaleatingdisorders.com. You can
also try the National Eatting Disorder Hotline at
1-800-248-3285. Good Luck!
bulimic..
Posted by: christiangirl on Aug 16th, 2008 11:43pm
ive been on/off bulimic for almost 2 years. i told all of my
friends & family that i stopped but i only really quit for a
month. & during that month i gained like 15 pounds. i'll
keep my parents money that they give me for lunch & i wont
eat anything til i get home & then i'll eat very little &
i'll throw it up. then i'll go to softball practice. if i
eat & dont throw up i can feel it trying to come up on its
own. who can i go to for help? i really hate talking to my
mom about it.
RE: advice
Posted by: DanR on Jun 16th, 2008 1:07pm
Based on what you wrote, it sounds like you could have an
eating disorder. Since we are not doctors or experts in the
matter of eating disorders, I strongly recommend that you
talk to a trusted adult about what you are experiencing. It
could be a parent, a counselor, a teacher or a medical
professional. Dizziness is not something that happens
normally and is usually the body's way of trying to tell you
something. So I encourage you to see a medical provider and
find out what that is.
advice
Posted by: beyondme2 on Jun 13th, 2008 8:19pm
i don't know if i have an eating disorder or not...i
constantly count calories and ive been like, not eating
recently unless im like having hunger pains and then i just
eat like a granola bar...its gotten to the point where i
wont eat unless its healthy..and every once in a hwile ill
eat some candy but idk...ive been getting dizzy alot lately
too...advice?
i need help with my eating disorder: Response
Posted by: StacieS on Aug 17th, 2007 3:43pm
You are so smart to recognize that you have an eating
disorder. Your food intake is way too restricted. You are
depriving your body of important nutrients it needs to
function properly. PLEASE take the next step and reach out
for help. You need it. Tell your mom that you want to see a
counselor who can help you to deal with your eating habits.
She doesn't have to "fix" the issue. That is the role of the
counselor or therapist. Find a treatment provider:
www.something-fishy.org. Good luck!!!!
i need help with my eating disorder
Posted by: BornBitterSweet1 on Aug 17th, 2007 3:18pm
in the 5th i was 4'10" and weighed 107 lbs so i started
dieting. i only ate breakfast nd dinner until the 6th grade.
7th grade i realized that my body was getting use to the
amount of food i was eating nd then cut back more. i only
ate dinner nd now i am in the 10th grade nd still only eat
dinner. now i am 5 feet tall nd weigh 93 pounds. i still
think i am fat nd i need help but my mom is going through
alot now nd i need help. im not naturally skinny. i dont
want to eat normally cuz i will b fat
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RE: Obsessive
Posted by: DanR on Nov 11th, 2008 10:06am
It sounds like you are off to a great start by seeing a
doctor, getting a diagnosis and taking your medicine. It
also sounds like you have a very supportive group of friends
who care about you greatly. I think your best bet is to
continue working with your doctor to find a plan of
treatment that works best for you. If you are looking for
additional support resources you can also call the Eating
Disorders Information and Referral line at 1-800-931-2237.
Hang in there!