Section I: Introduction of disorders

Section II: Helpful web sites

Section III: Magazine and Journal sources

Section IV: Brief article "Anorexia and Bulimia: Destructive Disorders "

Section I: Introduction of disorders

(Back to top)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each year, millions of people in the United States are affected by serious and sometimes life-threatening eating disorders; the two most common being anorexia and bulimia . Over 90 percent of those afflicted with the disorders are young women.

Approximately 1 percent of adolescent girls develop anorexia: a dangerous condition in which they can literally starve themselves to death.
Another two to three percent of young women develop bulimia: a destructive pattern of excessive overeating followed by vomiting or other “purging” behaviors.

These disorders have reached epidemic proportions. A recent study by the National Eating Disorders Association showed that 50 percent of girls have significant eating disturbances at some point during their teens.

Section II: Helpful Websites

(Back to top)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Obviously, anorexia and bulimia are serious illnesses that need and deserve serious attention. However, many people do not know much about the disorders, thus do not recognize warning signs often times until it is too late. The following websites are helpful in educating oneself on anorexia and bulimia.

WEB LINKS:

“Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa.” Pamphlet for Families. ABNFV.
<http://www.eatingdisorders.org.au/geninf/std_misc/anorexia_and_bulimia_nervosa.htm>

This website, home to the Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa Foundation of Victoria, Australia, provides basic information on anorexia and bulimia. It describes the two disorders, identifies those at risk of developing the diseases, and also gives some causes and effects of anorexia and bulimia.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Eating Disorders: Anorexia and Bulimia.” TeensHealth. Reviewed
by Kim Rutherford, M.D. (2001) <http://kidshealth.org>

The purpose of this website is to educate people on the realities of anorexia and bulimia and the behaviors of those who suffer from the disorders. A basic overview of each disease is given as well asinformation regarding the warning signs, effects, and treatments of the disorders.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Mental Health Information – Health is at Hand.” Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1998.
<http://www.rcpsych.as.uk/info/help/anor/index.htm>

This leaflet found online from the Royal College of Psychiatrists describes in detail the symptoms, consequences, and causes of anorexia and bulimia. Treatment options, self-help, and advice are also given for those seeking help in recovery. Organized and factual, this leaflet is useful in educating oneself about the two diseases.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

National Eating Disorders Association website. 2001.
<http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org>

This NEDA is the largest not-for-profit organization in the United States working to prevent eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. The organization’s website is complete with useful information regarding the disorders as well as options for treatment and prevention. Especially helpful information is found under the “Eating Disorders Info” link on the website.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following magazines and journals are also helpful in learning more about the two disorders . . .

“Breaking the Dieting Habit.” Psychology Today, Vol. 28, Issue 2. (1995): 12-14.

This article describes anorexia and bulimia as addictions. A study in Detroit found that naltroxene, a drug prescribed to heroin addicts, along with psychotherapy helped most women with anorexia and bulimia overcome their dieting habit. Anorexia and bulimia are addictions that do not have high recovery rates, but early detection is vital and prescription drugs may help.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Clark, Nancy. “When Thin Is Not In.” American Fitness, Vol. 13, Issue 2.
(1995): 65-67.

The author, an M.S. and R.D. nutrition counselor, concentrates on the relation of the compulsive food disorders anorexia and bulimia to peak performance diets in sports athletes with food disorders. The distinction between a dedicated athlete and a compulsive exerciser is often difficult. Symptoms, causes, and treatment options are listed.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

“Dentists often see first signs of eating disorders.” Nutrition Health Review: The Consumers Medical Journal, Issue 86. (2003): 5.

Bulimia and anorexia nervosa are two of the most common eating disorders. In a large percentage of eating-disordered patients, a correct diagnosis cannot be made until they visit a dentist. The article also reveals the causes and habits of those who suffer from the illness.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Farley, D. “Eating disorders require medical attention.” FDA Consumer, Vol. 26, Issue 2 (March 1992): 27-29.

The author, a staff writer for the Food and Drug Administration’s FDA Consumer, reveals the life-threatening nature of anorexia and bulimia by revealing the destructive habits of anorectics and bulimics. The causes of the disorders are discussed as well as the necessary medical care required in treating victims of the two diseases. To emphasis the dangers of anorexia and bulimia, Farley uses frightening statistics from the National Center for Health Statistics that illustrate the reality of the diseases as well as personal accounts from celebrities such as Jane Fonda who are recovering from the disorders.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Felker, Kenneth R. and Cathie Stivers. “The relationship of gender and family environment to eating disorder risk in adolescents.” Adolescence, Vol. 29, Issue 116. (1994): 821-835.

Written by two health professors at universities in the U.S., this article attempts to identify the correlates between at-risk adolescents and eating disorders in order to determine affective prevention. The study examined the relationship of gender and family environment to the risk of developing anorexia or bulimia in adolescents. Data was collected from 393 students attending a private boarding school in New Jersey, which although large, was an atypical sample. Nonetheless, results concurred with previous research and found that select components of family environment, such as independence, are associated with the development of anorexia and bulimia. Females were also found to be at higher risk. Application of these study results can help reverse the recent increase in cases of anorexia and bulimia.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hoffman, Lee. “Eating Disorders.” Eating Disorders (National Institute of Mental Health), 1995: 1-16.

This article, written by staff of the National Institute of Mental Health, describes the medical risks of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder and their connection to other psychiatric illnesses. Intimate stories of individuals struggling with the diseases are told to provide examples of the attitude and behavior of people with the diseases. The article also details possible causes of the disease including the personality traits, genetic and environmental factors, and biochemical function of people with the illnesses. Early detection and treatment of the disease is stressed as being vital for successful recovery from the eating disorders. Treatment options and are then given.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

McNeill, Kelli. “Starving for Attention.” American Fitness, Vol. 13, Issue 4.(1995): 36-38.

The author, a sports medicine major at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is a recovering bulimic. Her first-hand account focuses on the pressures that drove her and drives many others to eating disorders. She sites parent-child relationships as a main factor that leads to the diseases.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rust, Dawnella and Lowell Canneday. “Eating Disorder Prevention: Taking the Tiger by the Tail.” Physical Educator, Vol. 52, Issue 2. (1995): 58-61.

The authors, two health researchers at universities in the U.S., discuss the link between anorexia and bulimia and the pursuit of an “ideal” body. Characteristics of the disease are discussed as well as primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of prevention. The article sites the need for professional assistance as well as help from friends and family as a way of recovering from anorexia and bulimia and gives recommendations for dealing with the disease.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Printer-friendly version of
FULL ARTICLE

By being more conscious of the disorders and being aware of their destructive nature, perhaps we can prevent the diseases from continuing to grow. Read on to learn more...

Anorexia nervosa is defined as a disorder in which people intentionally starve themselves. The disorder, which often begins in young people around the time of puberty, involves extreme weight loss. (Hoffman 2) Unlike normal dieting, which stops when the desired weight is reached, in anorexia the dieting and loss of weight continue until the sufferer is well below the normal limit for age and height. Many anorectics look emaciated but are convinced that they are overweight. (Ibid) One of the most frightening aspects of the disorder is that people with anorexia continue to think that they are overweight even when they are bone-thin. For reasons not yet completely understood, they are terrified of gaining any weight. Bulimics share this fear.

Bulimia nervosa is a bit different from anorexia because bulimics don’t avoid eating. About 40 percent of anorectics develop bulimia later. (ABNFV 2) Instead, bulimics often eat huge amounts of food over short periods of time and then get rid of the food quickly by vomiting or taking laxatives or diuretics. Bulimia is two to three times more common than anorexia and is also more prevalent in females than males. (Richards 1995) However bulimia affects a slightly older age group, often women in their early to mid-twenties who have (like some anorectics) been overweight as children. (Mental Health 2) Because many individuals with bulimia “binge and purge” in secret and maintain normal or above normal body weight, they can often successfully hide their problem from others for years. (Hoffman 3) The chaotic eating pattern of bulimics is a compulsive and uncontrollable one that leads to chemical imbalances in the body. (ABNFV 2) These imbalances bring about lethargy, depression, and clouded thinking.

The effects of the diseases are harsh. When severe, both anorexia and bulimia can cause kidney dysfunction, urinary tract infections, colon damage, dehydration, constipation, seizures, muscle spasms, chronic indigestion, loss of or irregular menstruation, and strain on most of the body’s organs. (Ibid) The vomiting practices of bulimia can also lead to erosion of dental enamel, swollen salivary glands, a ruptured stomach, and chronic sore throat and gullet. (Ibid) The malnutrition of anorexia has its own effects as well: severe sensitivity to the cold, growth of down-like hair all over the body, and inability to think rationally and concentrate. (Ibid) Both anorexia and bulimia have serious physical effects that can be reversible if tackled in the early stages. However the diseases are also fatal and it is unwise to ignore the warnings and delay treatment. Left unattended, the disorders can take away from the person’s quality of life – or life altogether.

There are many different ideas about the causes of these two disorders and it is important to understand that not all apply to every sufferer. The Royal College of Psychiatrists lists on its website the possible causes of anorexia and bulimia; they include social pressures, control, puberty, family, depression, and upsetting events. Social pressures to be thin are often brought on by television, newspapers and magazines that are full of pictures of slim, attractive young men and women. Many people believe they must conform to the way the media tells them they look. Others develop eating disorders because they feel out-of-control in many aspects of their life and weight and what they eat is something that they can have control over. (Rust 59)

Once recognized that a person is suffering from either anorexia or bulimia or both, treatment is critical. There are many different options as far as treatment including psychotherapy, family therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, drug therapy, reality imaging, education, and possibly hospitalization. (Hoffman 6) In therapy treatments, therapists help patients work to change the distorted and rigid thinking patterns associated with eating disorders. (Ibid)

The efforts of mental health professionals need to be combined with those of other health professionals to obtain the best treatment. Physicians treat any medical complications, and nutritionists advise on diet and eating regimes. (Hoffman 7)

Scientists are now discovering that the combination of psychotherapy and medication is also very effective. There are no drugs approved specifically for bulimia or anorexia, but several, including some antidepressants, are being investigated for this use. (Farley 29) Anorectics and bulimics can be thought of as dieting junkies and a good treatment may be a drug that is usually prescribed to addicts. (Psych Today 112) A Detroit scientist tested Naltrexone, the drug given to kick the heroin habit, in women with anorexia and bulimia and found the drug to be constructive. (Ibid) With the drug, anorectics stabilized their weight and bulimics significantly reduced their binges and purges. (Ibid)