ANOREXIA AND BULIMIA (EATING DISORDERS)

There are three causes of Anorexia and Bulimia. First, eating disorders can be caused by genetics. Some genes influence in eating regulation, personality and emotion, which may be important contributing factors. In addition, we live in a society that reinforces the idea that to be happy and successful we must be thin like models and dancers. Finally psychological factors caused by major events in person’s life such as critical transitions or emotional early life trauma, dysfunctional families, sexual and physical abuse can cause an eating disorder.

Several symptoms exist to diagnose this disease. For example; psychological symptoms such as thoughts about “feeling fat”, low body weight, poor sight, body, body image obsession, or a distorted body image. Also physical symptoms such as zinc deficiency, irregular menstrual periods, reduced immune system function. There are also behavioral symptoms such as laxative and diuretic abuse, compulsive exercise, self induced vomiting, which are the most common.

Indeed, treatment is very important. With treatment, patients can get well and gradually learn to eat normally again. Because eating disorders involve both mind and body, medical doctors, mental health professionals and dietitians will often be involved a person's treatment and recovery. In many cases family therapy can help. So if people suffering from eating disorders, should not wait to get help, eating disorders can do alot of damage to the body and mind if left untreated. At worst, they can be deadly, and at best they leave a person feeling and looking terrible.