Thinking About Eating Disorders

Allow me to tell you the story of a friend of mine.

A young teenage girl we know recently suffered through the death of her mother and consequently had to be faced with being raised by her father in whom she was petrified of. Did I mention she was to be in charge of raising her 6 younger brothers and sisters.

She was always thin, but now weighs 90 pounds. She doesn’t think she has a problem and her father doesn’t think she has a problem. There are many questions in this situation, the major one being does she have an eating disorder. If she does have an eating disorder, what type is it….anorexia, bulimia?

It’s clear she needs help, others have tried, however her father prevents any intervention. The question becomes, what is causing the eating disorder? That’s why I assembled this collection of articles and ebooks on eating disorders. Hopefully, you…the reader, might see yourself or someone you care about in the articles to come. Perhaps you might see that you are experiencing the symptoms discussed for anorexia or bulimia. Maybe you binge eat.

In a society that is increasingly placing standards of beauty upon the youths of our population, people are at more of a risk than ever when it comes to developing an eating disorder. The celebrities in television and the media display stick-thin figures which can create a high standard of beauty that can lead to many problems with an individual’s self esteem. When coupled with the fact that an obesity epidemic is overtaking much of the modern world, it’s important to have a full understanding of the eating disorders which are prevalent in society today in order to be able to catch the warning signs when an individual you know is afflicted.

This truly is a life and death discussion. Admitting you might have an eating disorder of some type is the first step in finding a solution to your problem. I pray that you might listen to the voice inside your head as you read the following material.

 

Overeating as an Eating Disorder

When most people think of eating disorders, the words anorexia and bulimia pop into their heads. While it's true that these two eating disorders are among the most common, there are many other eating disorders that one may experience that can cause serious damage to an individual's health. Compulsive over-eating is a problem that is like reverse-anorexia, and it's a mental problem that can be quite tough to overcome. In this article, we'll discuss the problem of overeating and how it can seriously affect one's well-being.

Compulsive over-eating is a problem that can affect anyone. Males and females both face problems with the disorder, although it does tend to occur more often in females than in males. Those who are compulsive over-eaters often resort to food as a comfort, often indulging all too much and gorging on food. After the period of binge-eating, the individual is left feeling depressed and guilty. People with the disorder often do not stop eating when they are full, and continue to eat well past the time. While everyone pigs out at one time or another, there are some signs that you may want to check for to see if you are, in fact, a compulsive over-eater.

One of the main warning signs for a condition of over-eating is the desire to eat when not physically hungry. Also, those who are compulsive over-eaters often eat their foods in a frenzied manner, and may find themselves finishing their meals well before those who they are eating with. If you find that you are eating to a point at which you are uncomfortable with how full you are, you may be experiencing the disorder. Individuals with compulsive over-eating problems often have fluctuations within their weight, and they may feel embarrassed or disgusted with their problem.

While compulsive over-eating may seem like a problem that isn't very serious, there are numerous negative side-effects that the disorder can have upon your health. Eating too much can result in problems such as heightened cholesterol levels, type II diabetes, and heart disease. The mental strain that is placed upon one that is a compulsive over-eater can also be a threat. Poor self image pervades in those with the problem, and it's a really tough problem to get over if counseling is not employed. To that end, if you suspect that someone that you care about is an over-eater, it's important to discuss the problem with them. Discuss the problem in a serious tone, but be sure to show your love and compassion to the person, who is likely suffering both mentally and physically. Professional counseling has shown to be of much merit when it comes to helping people to get over their problems with over-eating. If left untreated, over-eaters may continue their cycle of pain, causing the problem to grow. It's a self perpetuating cycle in which one feels guilty because they eat so much, which causes them to eat more to drown their sorrows the best way that they know how.

Written by: Scott Parat