Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are characterized by severe disturbances in eating behavior. (Strada 2001) An eating disorder can be viewed as normal by the affected person. Just as an alcoholic uses alcohol to avoid or deal with their problems, a person with an eating disorder can use eating, purging or not eating food to deal with their problems. Some of the problems that are associated with an eating disorder include low self esteem, depression, feelings of loss of control, feelings of worthlessness, family communication problems and not being able to deal with emotions. (Bellenir 2000) An eating disorder like anorexia, bulimia or binge eating may be an expression of something that the eating disordered individual has found no other way of expressing. Eating disorders are usually divided into three categories: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and compulsive overeating.
There are similarities between many cases of eating disorders and addictive conditions such as alcoholism and drug addiction. The human brain has special reward centers and these are activated when a person feels well, takes care of the body, behaves sensibly, is praised, is in love, or exercises. Normal people get their stimulation of the reward center by doing good things, but it is also possible to stimulate these reward centers by artificial means like drugs, alcohol or eating. (Rebman 2006) One of the most stressful times in a person’s life is when they enter adolescence. This is a time when teenagers begin to discover who they are, teens are becoming more independent, they are establishing friendships, and their bodies start developing. For many teenagers, entering into puberty can be a very emotional, stressful, confusing, and frightening time. Some may have a more difficult time handling the pressures and some may develop eating disorders as a way to deal with their emotions. (Vollstadt 1999) Adolescents may enter into puberty early and be teased by their friends. Many teenagers are
Eating disorders are characterized by severe disturbances in eating behavior. (Strada 2001) An eating disorder can be viewed as normal by the affected person. Just as an alcoholic uses alcohol to avoid or deal with their problems, a person with an eating disorder can use eating, purging or not eating food to deal with their problems. Some of the problems that are associated with an eating disorder include low self esteem, depression, feelings of loss of control, feelings of worthlessness, family communication problems and not being able to deal with emotions. (Bellenir 2000) An eating disorder like anorexia, bulimia or binge eating may be an expression of something that the eating disordered individual has found no other way of expressing. Eating disorders are usually divided into three categories: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and compulsive overeating.
There are similarities between many cases of eating disorders and addictive conditions such as alcoholism and drug addiction. The human brain has special reward centers and these are activated when a person feels well, takes care of the body, behaves sensibly, is praised, is in love, or exercises. Normal people get their stimulation of the reward center by doing good things, but it is also possible to stimulate these reward centers by artificial means like drugs, alcohol or eating. (Rebman 2006) One of the most stressful times in a person’s life is when they enter adolescence. This is a time when teenagers begin to discover who they are, teens are becoming more independent, they are establishing friendships, and their bodies start developing. For many teenagers, entering into puberty can be a very emotional, stressful, confusing, and frightening time. Some may have a more difficult time handling the pressures and some may develop eating disorders as a way to deal with their emotions. (Vollstadt 1999) Adolescents may enter into puberty early and be teased by their friends. Many teenagers are