Eating disorders in the USA have risen in the past decade. As young women, girls are taught what the social “norm” of weight is. They pull from magazines and television, movies etc. what they feel they should look like or achieve to look like to be accepted in today’s society. By the time a young girl reaches the age of 11, on the average, she has attempted to diet. Talking with and sharing with your child how they feel will keep the lines of communication open. Be aware of peer pressures or any child in your child’s attitude and activity. If you should recognize your child in any of the following categories it is time for intervention.

ANOREXIA NERVOSA

Characterized by over dieting, the need for perfection. They appear to want to please all the time. They have a distorted self-image; even at 90lbs an anorexic will look in the mirror and see them as fat. These people are usually over achievers, always willing to help everyone else except himself or herself. There is no realization that there is a problem.

Some of the symptoms are, weight loss, excessive exercising, symptoms to that of Raynauds (hands and feet always cold), tired, weakness of the muscles, obsession with food and caloric intake, fainting, dizziness, missed periods, or amenorrhea (no period). Some of the emotional side effects are depression, mood swings, decrease in self worth, self-critical and over achiever.

It is noticeable that they will surround life with food, not the consumption of it, but food avoidance. They may prepare a meal for the family and busy themselves with cleaning up and will make an excuse to eat later and never actually eating. They noticeably cut food into very small portions, or may take pre determined (two to three) bites of any food choice. They become obsessed with food, and become defensive if it is brought to their attention. Again, an anorexic does not see that there is a problem. Some may start wearing oversized clothes hiding the effects of the excessive dieting. The scale becomes their friend and you will find them weighing themselves daily. Anorexics feel they have failed not only themselves but also others when they do eat, in striving for perfection they have lost sight of reality.

With proper counseling and nutritional training they can recover, but may relapse so ongoing treatment is a must.

BULIMIA NERVOSA

Bulimia is characterized by excessive bingeing and purging. They have a fear of weight gain, and weight gain means failure. Most people do not understand this condition: they think that purging is simply vomiting, but this is not true. Bulimics have been known to use things such as enemas, diuretics and laxatives to rid themselves of the over abundance of calories they feel they have ingested. For some a simple ice cream cone is bingeing to them, others may intake many calories eating a box of cookies, Twinkies, candy, cakes or any other food source.

Some symptoms of Bulimia are, binge eating, secretive eating, hiding to eat or eating during the night when everyone is sleeping, weight fluctuations, broken blood vessels usually in face or eyes from forced vomiting, bathroom visits after meals, tooth decay caused by the acids of the stomach from vomiting so much, fatigue, weakness, sore throat(from purging), irregular heartbeats. Some of the emotional side effects are low self esteem, self criticism, self worth is determined by how much they have lost or gained, fear of not being able to stop eating, guilt from eating, avoiding functions that involves eating including social outings, substance abuse (laxatives, recreational drugs, diuretics)

Bulimics realize they have a problem, so the treatment is much easier than would be for an Anorexic. A relapse after treatment may happen, but with proper counseling and nutritional assessment it can be cured.

COMPULSIVE OVEREATING

A person who eats excessively for comfort characterizes compulsive overeating. They find comfort in food, bringing a short-lived satisfaction. Often during stressful times they binge and feel that they cannot stop eating. Their self worth is all based on weight and what they feel society sees as normal.

Symptoms of compulsive eating are binge eating, starting and stopping most any new fad diet that is out or new and this time it will work, being overweight but no one ever sees them eating a thing, eating in privacy of their own home away from people.

Emotional symptoms are anxiety of not being able to stop eating voluntarily, depression with crying spells, embarrassment about weight, distorted views that if they are thin they will be a better person, weight and foods are the focus of life.

Like Bulimics, Compulsive overeaters know they have a problem so it is more easily treated than an Anorexic. With proper counseling and nutritional guidance they can resume a normal lifestyle.