Exposed: Anorexia & Bulimia
We are all aware that eating disorders are harmful, that both anorexia and bulimia can kill, but then why are an estimated 1-3 percent of young women thought to suffer from bulimia and a further 1-2 percent predicted to be suffering from anorexia?
If we all know the dangers, why do people still suffer from these mental disorders?
We are quick to point the finger of blame at the media, and perhaps justifiably so: we are constantly told how we should look, constantly made to feel ashamed or embarrassed about our appearance.
But as highlighted in my previous article ‘The Body Obsession’, the source of eating disorders can be a lack of personal acceptance and acceptance from society. This is true, without influence from the world, we wouldn’t know what ‘perfect’ looked like, so we wouldn’t find ourselves pointlessly striving for it.
But maybe anorexia and bulimia sufferers are the way they are not just because of the media’s and society’s influence. And before we can help those who feel like they are drowning under a tidal wave of self-imposed starvation, we need to understand why they are compelled to do this to themselves.
But as with all mental illnesses, they are complex, with many contributing factors resulting in a devastating condition. Of course the media affects them, but this is just fuel to the raging fire of an eating disorder.
One of the main reasons for many anorexia and bulimia sufferers is that they feel the need to punish themselves. They feel ugly maybe, or feel like they aren’t good enough, a disappointment. So they punish themselves by not eating, or eating too much and then feeling guilty so they make themselves sick.
Or, for some, it might be the need for control. When their world is falling to pieces through family breakups or relationship meltdowns, they realise that although everything is out of their control, what they eat isn’t. When they have tremendous pressure to do something that someone else wants them to do, they realise that no one can force them to eat. Only they have the power over that.
The government needs to sort this out, they need to support charities that help those struggling with eating disorders, and not in a half-hearted way. This generation needs to know that they can be supported, that there is help for them. Everyone needs to know the signs of an eating disorder, so they can help others.
I write this article with a degree of urgency, and I write it also to give comfort to those who are suffering or know someone suffering from an eating disorder. There is support out there in so many different forms, from the internet and help lines, to books and leaflets, there are people who want to help those with an eating disorder, even just talking to a friend about it can help you.
If you do suffer from an eating disorder or know someone who does, please contact Meic, an organisation set up to provide support to young people under the age of 25 who are experiencing problems and need someone to talk with them. You can call them on 080880 23456, text on 84001, instant message them on their website www.meiccymru.org or even email them at help@meiccymru.org. Remember, that you are not alone.
Related Links:
Info >> Health >> Eating Disorders
Organisations >> beat: BEATing disorders
Organisations >> theSprout Direct
BBC News: Girl guides call for airbrushed photos to be labelled
1 Comment – Post a comment
justin bieber 4 ever
Commented 51 months ago - 8th February 2012 - 09:48am
i think that eating disorders are hard for some teens and i stoped eating before but i dont think i have a eating disorder i wanted to be anorexia before