About Anorexia
Anorexia Nervosa is self-starvation. The individual is terrified of gaining weight or maintaining a normal weight. They have a distorted perception of their shape or size, and they may become amenorrheic. An individual with these symptoms can be classified as "clinically anorectic" when they are 15-20% less than normal weight. They are generally in denial about their physical condition, and are often times confused about the realities of their situation. Some (although few) anorexics are "restrictive anorexics," meaning that they loose weight by restricting their intake and doing excessive exercise. Most however, are secretly, binge purgers. They may purge by vomiting and/or by using diuretics or laxatives at least once per week.
Often the individual has a family history of either alcoholism or depression. They may have a tendency towards perfectionism and low self-esteem. At the onset of the disorder they may be suffering intense emotional pain stemming from either family relationships or social pressures. They may feel an inability to deal effectively with their environment and may feel helpless to take charge of their life. The individual who has exhibited symptoms for some time may be in denial about the accurate size of their body, and may compulsively compare themselves to others. The anorexic tends to take pride in their weight loss, gaining a temporary sense of accomplishment and self empowerment by succeeding at losing another pound.
The anorexic may verbally claim to want to gain weight, but secretly, may feel arrogant or proud about their low weight level. Likewise, the anorexic may gain pleasure, or a feeling of being special, by appearing to live without food. It's almost as if they need to show the world how "super human" they are. On the other hand, they inwardly feel "fake." Most secretly crave food. Most binge and purge when their desire for food becomes unbearable. Most anorexics will deny they crave food or binge. To admit this is to admit their failure. They feel ashamed of their behaviors, which increases their stress level - intensifying the symptoms.
Bulimia
Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by frequent binge eating. Binge eating is consuming an amount of food that is considerably larger than an average meal. The binger generally feels out of control regarding the amount of food eaten.
Most frequently, the binger follows the eating-episode with some form of purging such as vomiting and/or the use of laxatives or diuretics. The typical bulimic may exercise in an attempt to counteract the calories consumed but not purged, and/or, may fast for a given period of time afterwards. Although many bulimics are weekend bingers, most binge at least twice per week. As with Anorexia Nervosa, the bulimic's self image is generally distorted and they focus much of their attention on body size and shape. Although some are very thin, many are of normal or even above normal weight.
Bulimic's are usually very ashamed of their strange eating patterns and can become very secretive about it. Some are closet eaters. This is when they arrange their binges in places and at times when they are sure they will not be discovered. This often results in bedroom bingeing, closet bingeing, or bingeing when alone. If left uninterrupted, the bulimic may eat frantically until their body cannot tolerate another bite. The bulimic may then find the will to stop eating, long enough to purge. It is not uncommon for them to resume bingeing once the purge is complete. This may occur throughout the day until the binger is exhausted.
Some may eat more or less fervently depending on the most recent stresses experienced. As bulimics often binge as a way to avoid feelings associated with stress, the binge patterns may ebb and tide accordingly. Specific instances have been documented in which the bulimic binged beyond her stomach's ability to hold the food. Consequently she suffered a ruptured stomach cavity. Some have died from a binge and many have died from serious electrolyte imbalance and/or blood sugar fluctuations.
Bulimics may suffer loss of teeth due to continual bath of stomach acids flowing out of their mouth, eroding the enamel. Their intestines can become crippled with holes created by laxative abuse. Liver damage, kidney damage and heart damage is not uncommon. Even if the bulimic is eventually treated and pulls out of the disorder, s/he may be left with serious physical impairments that can result in serious medical problems later in life.
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