Anorexia and Bulimia Essay -- Causes of Bulimia, Eating Disorders

Anorexia and Bulimia A Concise Overview     As many as 20% of egg-producing(prenominal)s in their teenage and young adult days suffer from anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa (Alexander-Mott, 4). Males are also afflicted by these consume disorders, but at a much scummyer rate, with a female to male ratio of six to one. Those with anorexia nervosa refuse to maintain a normal body weight by non eating and have an intense caution of gaining weight. People with bulimia nervosa go through periods of binge eating and then purging (vomiting), or sometimes not purging but instead refraining from eating at all for days. Both of these disorders wreak havoc on a persons body and mental state, forcing them to become emaciated and often depressed.      There is no cognize exact cause of either anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, but many factors play a role in the initial onset, such as nature traits, low self-esteem, and social and cultural infl uences (Costin, 21). Many anorexics have specific personality traits that urge them to refrain from eating. Many are perfectionists that will diet and exercise and not eat until their bodies are perfect. Unfortunately, however, he or she never thinks their body is perfect, and continues their destructive cycle. Anorexics that are perfectionists also tend to want to be in control at all times. Often , they feel as though others are trying to force them to do Breaux 2things, and so, take complete control of their bodies. Marcia, an anorexic, wrote in her daybook "I am in control people are just jealous because I have will power" (D., 6).      Another factor is low self-esteem. One anorexic said of her low self-esteem, "My goal in life was to please like a chameleon, Id change to suit whomever I was with. I constantly felt I was in the way" (D., 1). Anorexics with low self-esteem often feel they are worthless and do not deserve to eat. Not solely d o they not eat, but they constantly berate themselves with insults. They hate their bodies, and brooknot realize their true appearance, instead seeing a distorted image. When she weighed a mere 98 pounds, Marcia told herself, "You are a pig. You are disgusting. You must suffer" (D., 5). Bulimics also suffer from low self-esteem and feel ashamed of their behavior. Feeling guilty after eating is a co... ...orted self-image, low self-esteem, and a need for control. "Eating disorders are not about food or weight but about a humbled sense of self looking for approval and finding it, however Breaux 5temporarily, in the pursuit of thinness or the comfort of food" (Costin, 48). Treatment is an option for anorexics and bulimics, though it can take years, and sometimes it never succeeds. Hopefully, though, friends and loved ones of anorexics and bulimics will see the warning signs and seek help for them. BibliographyAlexander-Mott, LeeAnn. Understanding Eating Disorders. Wa shington, D.C. Taylor & Francis Ltd., 1994.Costin, Carolyn. The Eating Disorder Sourcebook. Los Angeles, CA Lowell      House, 1996. K.D.K. "My Story." Online. March 3, 2000 <http//www.dana.ucc.nau.edu/     kdk2/mystory.html>D., Marcia. "My Story." Online. March 3, 2000 <http//www.members.     Tripod.com/MarciaD/index.html>Thayne, Becky. Hope and Recovery. New York, New York Emma Lou      Thayne, 1992.