Is Skinny In?
Everyone experiences stress in their life at one point or another, but the way in which stress is dealt with varies from person to person. One person might smoke cigarettes when they are stressed out; another person might over eat when they are stressed and another person might under eat.
Anorexia Nervosa is defined by dictionary.com as “An eating disorder primarily affecting adolescent girls and young woman, characterized by pathological fear of becoming fat, distorted body image, excessive dieting, and emaciation.” Anorexia is more of a mental disease than it is a physical disease, but it does affect both. One out of every hundred people is diagnosed with anorexia. 90% of all anorexia cases are female.
Sexual abuse, physical or emotional abuse, depression, stress, anxiety, unhappiness, and unhealthy weight obsession are just a few causes of anorexia. Every reason for Anorexia is very emotionally complex. This disease is sometimes overlooked and therefore is untreated. Some people have a more serious case of Anorexia than others. Most females will experience an eating disorder at some point in their life, but it will probably be overlooked and last for a short period of time.
About 2% of American females are diagnosed with Anorexia. Signs of Anorexia include the following: obsessive exercising, calorie/fat counting, starvation, food restriction, constant concern with body image and diet pills, laxatives, and diuretics are often used in controlling weight. Most anorexics will hide food instead of consuming it and will claim to have already eaten in order to avoid food intake. The majority of anorexics will drink diet sodas, coffee, and tea because they all have zero calories and are stimulants that help to fight fatigue. Cigarettes are often smoked to fight fatigue and reduce hunger.
Although Anorexia is more of a mental disease than it is a physical disease, the effects of anorexia affect the body physically. An anorexic is always tried and has no energy. Their metabolism slows and they lose their menstrual cycle (if female). They are always cold due to a lack of needed fat and their body will naturally grow fine hairs all over their body to stay warm. They have very little muscle and no strength. All of these symptoms occur just to fit into a pair of jeans? It doesn’t seem worth it.
Anorexia can be treated. Treatment usually requires visiting a team of doctors. Medical care is required for the physical part of Anorexia. Psychotherapy is required for the psychiatric part of the disease. Nutritional therapy helps the patient learn how to eat in a healthy way. Medications can be prescribed but a mainly antidepressants or psychiatric medications to help the patient overcome the mental part of the disease.
5 million Americans will/have experienced an eating disorder. Out of all of the people that experience an eating disorder only half will have a full recovery. Some patients never recovery and struggle with the disease everyday.
The question still remains: Is skinny in? The answer is: Who cares? Is being skinny more important than your health?
For more information and help with fighting Anorexia visit http://www.anorexiahelp.net/
