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Eating
Disorders
Anorexia: Starvation is not the answer
While we usually relate Anorexia
nervosa or anorexia, with teens, this eating disorder is actually largely
prevalent among women aged 15 to 35. The illness essentially entails starving
oneself to death in order to lose weight and consequently build up self-esteem.
The disease starts innocently enough.
The victim wakes up one morning, looks at herself in the mirror, and decides
she could do with getting rid of that 'fat'. If she just loses some weight,
every thing would be perfect. So she goes on a diet and starts an exercise
regime. But it doesn't stop when she's shed those few extra kilos. She
continues seeing herself as fat, ignoring the perceptions of regular body
weight. When she weighs about 85% of what is considered normal for her
age and height, is hyperactive and exercises a lot to continue burning
calories, but still cannot get rid of the nagging certainty that she is
'fat and ugly', you know she has a problem.
Anorexia is usually accompanied by
hyperactivity, hypothermia, and amenorrhea.
Hyperactivity
This is when anorexics exercise frantically
to lose whatever little weight they are left with.
Hypothermia
This results when the fat cells,
which are the body's natural insulation, become non-existent and the victim
starts feeling cold all the time. As a result, the body develops a light
coating of fur on the body, to retain whatever little body warmth it can.
Amenorrhea
Amenorrhea sets in when a woman misses
at least three menstrual cycles. Loss of monthly menstrual periods is typical
in anorexic women while men with anorexia often become impotent.
Nipping it in
the Bud
Sadly anorexia is not usually 'nipped
in the bud', as it is not recognised until it spirals out of control. Parents
of anorexics don't realise initially what their child is going through,
as a desire to lose weight by diet and exercise is normal enough. Almost
every one goes through a weight-losing spree at some point in life, but
with anorexics, it becomes an obsession. Their distorted perception of
reality makes them see themselves as fat, even when they are rake thin.
They look at themselves in the mirror and they don't see their protruding
rib cages - they see the skin on it - and identify it as fat. The fear
of being seen as fat continues even when the person is near death from
starvation. They won't eat even when suffering from acute hunger pangs.
Further, anorexics often wear loose, baggy clothes to hide their 'fat'
body, so one doesn't immediately realise how much weight the child has
lost.
Change in Attitude
Towards Anorexics
The general perception that anorexics
are vain and obsessed with their looks needs to be changed, and anorexia
needs to be recognised as a serious disease requiring treatment. Anorexics
are usually controlled people who are perfectionists but have low self-esteem.
Their body weight, shape and size is directly related to how good they
feel about themselves. This may be because of troubled family situations,
childhood abuse or parents telling their child that he or she should lose
weight or getting teased at school because of some extra weight. If a child
suffers from anorexia, family members should not let the eating disorder
become a hidden, secret problem. Instead, they should talk openly and with
obvious concern to the young woman about the situation as early as possible.
Treatment
Group therapy seems to be one of
the more effective methods of treatment as women in the same situation
get together to speak about their experiences and share their fears.
If anorexia has reached the extent
that the person's life is in any danger because of starvation, she should
be immediate hospitalised. It may not be easy to gain the victims' co-operation,
especially if they have been brought to treatment against their will. Building
a trusting and supportive relationship is likely to be the most important
part of treatment.
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