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Signs of Eating DisordersSignals of Harmful Eating Habits That Are Psychological Disorders
Are you simply watching your weight or do you have an eating disorder? Here are signs of eating disorders and treatments for anorexia nervosa & bulimia.
Eating disorders aren't about weight loss, diets, or healthy eating - they are serious psychological disorders. Bulimia, anorexia nervosa, and other eating disorders are about feeling sad and unhappy about who you are. The symptoms and treatments of an eating disorder are tied in with mental and emotional health. Before you can initiate treatment, you need to recognize the signs of eating disorders. When you inhale a quart of cookie dough ice cream, a pan of fudge brownies, and four soda pops all in one sitting – then you know you have an eating disorder. When you then rush off to the bathroom to purge by forcing yourself to throw up or using laxatives – then your eating disorder is more serious and even potentially life-threatening. Those are the symptoms of a psychological disorder that requires treatment. It's not just about diets and weight loss. Signs of eating disordersThe above signs of binge eating, bulimia and other eating disorders indicate that you’re sad about your body and life. There are other harmful eating disorders: anorexia or self-starvation, laxative use, compulsive eating, and over-exercising. Some eating disorders are obvious, others less easy to see. Spotting the signs of eating disorders is easier when you know what they are. Though society and the media glamorize being thin and beautiful, eating disorders aren’t all about losing weight. Eating disorders are about unexpressed feelings of fear, anxiety, grief, inadequacy or failure. Eating disorders are efforts to take control in a chaotic life – desperate attempts to deal with difficult situations and negative feelings. Eating disorders may start as a way to take control or avoid certain emotions, and then develop into a habit that is incredibly difficult to overcome (but not impossible, so stay the course!). The feelings that can lead to a full-fledged eating disorder are exacerbated, or made worse, by society’s standards of beauty and perfection. Recognizing the signs of eating disorders is the first step to treating them. Signs of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa or healthy eating?There is a huge difference between an eating disorder, which is a psychological disorder requiring diagnosis and treatment, and simply being preoccupied with weight, fitness, and healthy eating. It’s almost impossible to live in North America and not be concerned with weight loss, since we’re as a society obsessed with beauty and perfection. The line between eating disorders and healthy eating can blur - which is why knowing how to recognize the signs of eating disorders is so important. How do you recognize the signs of eating disorders? Signs of Eating DisordersYou may have an eating disorder if you:
Signs of eating disorders: watch for several behaviorsSaying “yes” to one or two of these signs of eating disorders doesn't necessarily mean you have an eating disorder, but it could indicate that your body image or self-esteem isn’t very healthy. If you agreed with several of these signs of eating disorders, then you may be predisposed to develop anorexia nervosa or bulimia, or you may already have one. It can be embarrassing and hard to admit you have an eating disorder, especially if you are participating in healthy weight loss activities. Paying attention to the signs of an eating disorder could save your life. If you found Signs of Eating Disorders helpful, you should read:
The copyright of the article Signs of Eating Disorders in Psychology is owned by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen. Permission to republish Signs of Eating Disorders in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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Nov 23, 2006 5:45 PM
Lori Henry
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1 Comment:
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