Anorexia Destroys Self-Image

Every one of us has a self image. Mentally healthy, balanced people enjoy a good, or positive self-image. However, certain conditions and life events may lead to a distorted self-image. In these cases, the way they see themselves is disproportionately beyond reality. This is the case with individuals who suffer from anorexia. This debilitating disease causes people to see themselves as fat when they may actually be rail thin. This distorted self-image becomes a prison for their body, frequently with a death sentence.

Anorexia is an eating disorder that causes individuals to starve themselves. Their distorted sense of their physical appearance forces them to constantly diet to become thinner and thinner. Yet, no matter how thin they become, they will continue to see themselveas as fat, and continue to take more and more desperate measures to lose more weight. As this cycle continues, mere dieting eventually becomes a refusal to eat and without treatment, can eventually result in death, as the body shuts down from lack of nourishment.

On average, those who are anorexic will tend to be at least 15% below the normal weight for their age, height and build. In addition to refusing to eat ~ or eating very little ~ they~ll often develop an unrealistic exercise regimen for themselves and abuse laxatives. The combination of these three traits can cause the eventual death of those with anorexia, since their bodies don~t receive adequate fuel, are pushed beyond the logical limit of endurance when exercising, and are bombarded with the type of medication that will soon damage the intestines and prevent them from working properly.

Most commonly the victims of anorexia are Caucasian females in their early or mid teens, typically from a high socio economic class. There are certain activities that stress the need for thinness and so also seem to breed anorexia. Such activities as theater, dancing and certain sports activities, especially track and field related sports have participants with a higher than average rate of anorexia.

Among the symptoms that may indicate the presence of anorexia are extreme or rapid weight loss, refusal to eat in public or the absolute refusal to eat, disruption of the menstrual cycle (three or more missed cycles, consecutively), shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, anxiety, brittle skin and obsessive behavior in the area of caloric intake. It~s important to remember that not all symptoms are apparent in every individual. If even some of these become apparent, it~s important to consult a physician immediately. Whether these symptoms are due to anorexia or some other illness, they indicate a serious health issue.

Since those who suffer from anorexia aren~t seeing reality on the same plane as others, they can become angry, combative, secretive and resistant to assistance. Although they~re sometimes known to cook large meals for others ~ without eating any of the meal themselves ~ they, somehow only see themselves as obese, which will worsen until their very death, unless confronted and treated.

If you notice a loved one exhibiting any of the above signs of this illness, you should immediately contact a physician to be sure the necessary steps are taken to get them help. Treatments do exist to help anorexics overcome this condition. You also need to provide a strong support system throughout the recovery period. Remember, if you are helping someone with this disease, fear and denial may lead them to say almost anything, so do not take anything they say to you personally. Just continue to offer as much love and support as you can.