Family Christian Counseling LIBRARY

Title: EATING DISORDERS

Author: ROSE ENGLISH, LMFT

An eating disorder is a life-threatening problem. Both Anorexia nervosa and bulimia are characterized by a compulsive urge to control weight. With Anorexia Nervosa the individual may be severely underweight while still seeing himself or herself as fat. An individual with Bulimia Nervosa may eat in binges while preventing weight gain by self-induced vomiting, purging, and/or excessive exercise. Although appearance is important to their self-evaluations, these individuals do not have the body image distortion characteristic of Anorexia Nervosa. Eating disorders are common, especially among young people.

Common Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa:
1. Body image distortion
2. Voluntarily starvation, which often leads to emaciation and sometimes death
3. Occasional binges followed by fasting, laxative abuse, or self-induced starvation
4. Obsessive interest in food, recipes and cooking
5. Observation of rituals involving food, exercise, and other aspects of life
6. Perfectionism
7. Low self esteem
8. Excessive exercising
9. Avoidance of people, introversion and withdrawal
10. Need to maintain rigid control
11. May be characterized by depression, irritability, deceitfulness, guilt, and self-loathing.
12. Menses ceases

Common symptoms of Bulimia
1. Caught up in the binge-purge cycle
2. Usually within ten to fifteen pounds of ideal body weight.
3. Secretive binge eating. Binges may occur regularly and may follow a pattern. Caloric intake per binge may range from 1,000 to 20,000 calories.
4. Binges are followed by fasting, laxative abuse, self-induced vomiting, or other forms of purging
5. Fluctuations in weight because of alternating periods of bingeing and fasting
6. Observation of rituals involving food, exercise, and other aspects of life.
7. Perfectionism
8. Desire for relationships and approval from others
9. Fear of losing control and fear of not being able to stop once beginning eating

Those dealing with an eating disorder may have symptoms very specific to one of these disorders or they may have combinations of symptoms from each of the disorders. Eating disorders are very serious and must not be viewed as something that a person should just "get over."

The following are possible physical effects of eating disorders:

" Amenorrhea
" Blood Cell Functioning - (anemia or a cecreased white blood cell count)
" Cardiovascular Complications
" Digestive problems
" Erosion of Tooth Enamel
" Forgetfulness
" Glandular Functioning
" Hypoglycemia
" Impulse Control Disorder - (anger and rage)
" Muscle spasms, pain and muscle atrophy
" Dry skin, thinning of hair, body parts are always cold
" Renal failure
" Seizures
" Vision impairment
" Bone deterioration

If you or someone you love struggles with Anorexia nervosa or bulimia contact a counselor or physician. The earlier you seek help the better.

Information taken from The Thin Disguise, Pam Vredevelt, Dr. Deborah Newman, Harry Beverly, Dr. Frank Minirth, Thomas Nelson Publishers 1992

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