Eating disorder is a condition where a person suffers from psychological disturbance followed by abnormal behaviors characterized by binge eating (uncontrollable intake of unusually large amounts of food) and purging (induced vomiting of food after eating). The two most common types of this disorder are bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa. These often occur among women especially teenagers as a way of responding to peer pressure or negative influence from the media (Merriam-Webster Online). Types of Eating Disorder: Bulimia Nervosa
One common type of this disorder is bulimia nervosa. In the field of psychiatry, it is also referred to as binge eating. A person shows signs of being bulimic when she takes a large amount of food which goes beyond the usual or reasonable intake than that of a normal person. This behavior is often followed by guilt thus often leading to forced or induced vomiting in order to avoid the usual consequence of gaining too much weight. Bulimia is further categorized into two depending on the method used by the person suffering from it.
The first one which has already been mentioned is called purging bulimia or self-induced vomiting. Here the person has improper or abusive use of laxatives, diuretics or enemas to prevent the expected effects of too much food intake. The second one is referred to as nonpurging bulimia where the patient undergoes fasting or overexercising (exercise bulimia). It is sometimes hard to identify a person with bulimia because their weight would often be normal or slightly higher than their normal scale.
But if we are to look closer, bulimics are often characterized with sored and scarred knuckles due to the intense purging after binging episodes. Adding to this already unpleasant appearance are damaged teeth and gums, swollen salivary glands in the cheeks, sore throat and mouth throat, bloating, fatigue, dehydration, dry skin and other effects such as bloating and irregularities in bowel movements and menstrual cycles (Mayo Clinic. com: Mental Health: Bulimia Nervosa). Anorexia Nervosa Anorexia is an eating disorder where the sufferer has this intense fear of gaining weight.
As a result, the patient turns to desperate attempts by indulging in wrong eating patterns. The results are often long-term and terrifying. It is sad to know that those affected by this are those people who are longing for acceptance. In this modern society where people are raised to the belief that looking good is being thin, most aneroxics live to the misconception that it would be easier for them to be loved and feel happiness if they possess the physical properties like that of ramp models (Merriam Webster Online).
According to statistics, anorexia nervosa affects both the male and female gender. However, 90 to 95% of those who suffer from it are girls and women. The main cause is not yet identified however several factors are being considered. One of them is the modern culture where the media plays a big influence in creating pressure for both men and women that having a thin body and clear, soft skin is the standard of what is called today as beautiful. Quite contrary to the era when being fat or voluptuous was considered a sign of wealth and beauty, while being thin is a sign of poverty.
Families can also contribute to this if one is exposed to any family member who is also suffering from anorexia. Although not necessarily contagious, anorexia can be brought about by parents or older family members who emphasize on the importance of looks therefore encouraging insecurities and false confidence through intensive weight loss. However, study shows that genes, hormones, and other brain chemicals can also be contributory to anorexia. Lastly, other factors like being insecure or traumatic experiences such as rape are also seen as possible causes of this particular disorder.