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| :: Self Image in Anorexic Individuals :: |
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In order for an adult to enjoy a healthy, balanced life, a positive self-image is necessary. For many, the image that they have of themselves is distorted far beyond anything resembling reality, such as in the case of those who suffer
from anorexia. This debilitating ~ often deadly ~ disorder afflicts those who either have the inability or unwillingness to see themselves as they truly are, in the physical sense. As a result, their lives become more and more restricted, until they~ve locked themselves into an invisible prison from which some never escape.
An eating disorder that causes individuals to literally starve themselves is called anorexia. The people who suffer from it have a distorted sense of their physical appearance and they constantly diet to become thinner. However, no matter how thin they become, they continue to see themselve as obese, and continue to take more desparate measures to lose weight. The cycle continues until only dieting eventually becomes refusal to eat. Without treatment, this disorder can result in death.
On average, those who are anorexic will tend to be at least 15% below the normal weight for their age, height and build. In addition to refusing to eat ~ or eating very little ~ they~ll often develop an unrealistic exercise regimen for themselves and abuse laxatives. The combination of these three traits can cause the eventual death of those with anorexia, since their bodies don~t receive adequate fuel, are pushed beyond the logical limit of endurance when exercising, and are bombarded with the type of medication that will soon damage the intestines and prevent them from working properly.
The profile of an anorexic individual is: Caucasian female in early or late puberty, and from a high socio-economic class. They will usually be engaged in activities that stress the need for thinness and also seem to breed anorexia. Theater, dancing, especially ballet, and certain sports activities such as track and field usually attract people with a higher than average rate of anorexia.
Among the symptoms that may indicate the presence of anorexia are extreme or rapid weight loss, refusal to eat in public or the absolute refusal to eat, disruption of the menstrual cycle (three or more missed cycles, consecutively), shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, anxiety, brittle skin and obsessive behavior in the area of caloric intake. It~s important to remember that not all
symptoms are apparent in every individual. If even some of these become apparent, it~s important to consult a physician immediately. Whether these symptoms are due to anorexia or some other illness, they indicate a serious
health issue.
Since those who suffer from anorexia aren~t seeing reality on the same plane as others, they can become angry, combative, secretive and resistant to assistance. Although they~re sometimes known to cook large meals for others ~ without eating any of the meal themselves ~ they, somehow only see themselves as obese, which will worsen until their very death, unless confronted and treated.
There are treatments to help anorexics overcome this condition. If anyone notices a loved one exhibiting the above signs of this illness, they should immediately contact a physician to take the necessary steps to get them help. It is also important to provide a strong support system them throughout their recovery period. If you are helping someone with this disease, you have to
remember that fear and denial leads them to say anything, so do not take anything personally. Just offer as much love and support as you can.
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Source/Author Info:
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Anya Konsletto is the webmaster of For Anorexia, inc. which is a premium resource for anorexia information. For more details please visit http://www.foranorexia.com |
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