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

Anorexia and Bulimia A Concise Overview     As many as 20% of female persons in their teenage and young adult years take on from anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa (Alexander-Mott, 4). Males ar overly afflicted by these alimentation disorders, save at a much slumper rate, with a female to male ratio of six to one. Those with anorexia nervosa refuse to maintain a convening body weight by not feeding and have an acute fear 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 in all for days. Both of these disorders wreak carnage on a persons body and mental state, forcing them to become emaciated and practically depressed.      There is no known exact cause of either anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, but many chemical elements play a role in the initial onset, such as personality traits, slump self-esteem, and social and ethnic influences (Costin, 21). some(prenominal) anorexics have specific personality traits that urge them to refrain from eating. Many atomic number 18 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 opinion as though others are trying to stuff them to do Breaux 2things, and so, take complete control of their bodies. Marcia, an anorexic, wrote in her diary "I am in control people are however 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 always felt I was in the way" (D., 1). Anorexics with low self-esteem often feel t hey are worthless and do not deserve to eat. Not only do they not eat, but they unendingly berate themselves with insults. They hate their bodies, and firenot 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 solid food or weight but about a disordered sense of self looking for approval and finding it, however Breaux 5temporarily, in the pursuit of slightness 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 ideal signs and seek help for them. Bibl iographyAlexander-Mott, LeeAnn. Understanding Eating deranges. Washington, 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.