An eating disorder is the result of emotional and psychological problems, where food is utilized as a means of coping. These disorders stem from underlying emotional or psychological issues.
Eating disorders are used by individuals, particularly teenagers, to cope with the stress caused by societal pressures that associate happiness with being thin. Additionally, abnormal brain chemistry can lead to eating disorders and other mental health conditions such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bipolar disorder. Emotional experiences, illnesses, problems in family or relationships, manic depression, and distress after breakups are also contributing factors in the development of eating disorders.
EDAHP states that more than 8 million Americans suffer from eating disorders. It is concerning that a large majority (over 80%) of girls under the age of thirteen acknowledge engaging in dieting, which has a strong connection with eating disorders. These disorders primarily affect affluent, educated Caucasian teenage girls but can manifest in any cultural or age group. The three primary types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and compulsive overeating or binge-eating.
Anorexia nervosa is a dangerous eating disorder that is characterized by an irrational fear of gaining weight. This disorder often affects perfectionists with low self-esteem and can be triggered by individuals of the opposite sex. An earlier version of this condition was known as Anorexia Mirabilis or Miraculous lack of appetite, and it was seen as a psychological disorder similar to cancer, tuberculosis, or diabetes. It was believed to be caused by a disturbed mental state. Sir William Gull, who served as the physician to England’s royal family, described those with anorexia as having a distortion in their will (Silverson).
In 1888, Charles Lasegue, a French psychiatrist, examined anorexia from a social perspective. He proposed that it served as a form of rebellion among individuals. During this time, children were compelled to finish their meals and adhered to strict meal schedules. Furthermore, societal expectations placed on women during the Victorian era, including the obligation to stay at home after childhood and solely focus on marriage and improving the family’s social standing, potentially contributed to the development of this illness. Emotional displays, such as temper tantrums, were strictly forbidden.
The young woman found a way to express her discontent with her suffocating family life by engaging in a semi-acceptable form of protest – she stopped eating. This behavior would often lead to illness, making her the center of attention and concern, which was often her intention. Victorian women adhered to the societal norms of the time by refusing food and limiting their intake. It was believed that having a hearty appetite was synonymous with sexuality and lack of self-control, traits that were strictly forbidden for women. The spiritual emphasis of the era also played a role in restricting the consumption of meat. Ironically, despite their dietary restrictions, many women of this time period were overweight due to the prevalent consumption of starch-heavy meals.
Evidence of anorexia’s presence in medical records can be traced back to 1873, when the refusal of food was considered a way of seeking attention. Silas Weir Mitchell, an American neurologist, viewed anorexia as a form of neurasthenia, a nervous disorder characterized by exhaustion and lack of motivation. Mitchell attributed the illness to both stressful life circumstances and societal pressures. The treatment approach involved parentectomy, where patients were removed from their home environment. If necessary, force-feeding was utilized. Mitchell supported a pampering method that included a low-fat diet, isolation, bed rest, and massage therapy.
Sigmund Freud, a psychiatrist from Vienna, proposed that anorexia is a physical manifestation of emotional distress and may be connected to unconscious attempts to hinder typical sexual growth. During the 1930s, medical professionals were convinced that addressing the root cause of the disorder in each individual and encouraging weight restoration were vital for achieving long-term recovery from anorexia.
In 1973, Dr. Hilde Bruch released the groundbreaking book “Eating Disorders: Obesity, Anorexia Nervosa, and the Person Within.” It was the first in-depth investigation of this illness. Bruch’s research revealed that those suffering from anorexia nervosa face significant challenges relating to body image perception, hindering their ability to comprehend and express emotions (Bruch).
In 1982, scientists at the Edinburgh hospital in England conducted an experiment with 22 volunteers, ten of whom were recognized as anorexics. The scientists hypothesized that anorexia had a physical basis and may be a digestive disorder. The anorexics claimed to feel full several hours after eating, thus supporting this idea.
However, the scientists concluded that this theory was incorrect when they observed that waste excretion was equal to the normal samples.
Anorexia was finally recognized as an eating disorder in the late 1870s.
People with anorexia use deliberate starvation to control their lives and rely on food for this purpose. Over time, anorexia causes chemical imbalances in the body, leading to distorted thoughts and impaired decision-making about eating. As anorexia worsens, individuals become extremely exhausted due to severe food deprivation. If not treated, anorexia can lead to death as the body consumes organs, muscles, and tissue. It can also cause mood swings and fatigue. People with anorexia constantly feel hungry and obsess over thoughts of food (Silverson, 9).
The illness has physical symptoms that are easily recognizable. These include a constant feeling of coldness, fine hair growth due to a decrease in body temperature, skin turning brownish and cracking as a result of lack of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and dehydration, hair falling out, and kidney and heart failure caused by a lack of potassium (Epstein, 55).
Following the initiation of food restriction, numerous anorexic individuals commonly report an improvement in their well-being. It is important to highlight that more than 90% of cases of anorexia involve females. The development of this disorder is influenced by various factors such as personality, family dynamics, and a distorted perception of one’s body. In young males, anorexia may arise as they attempt to address obesity or attract a partner from the opposite gender. By shedding pounds through dietary restrictions, these individuals derive satisfaction from receiving increased admiration and attention.
Despite the comments about her excessive thinness ceasing, she continues to perceive herself as overweight and attributes it to her unsuccessful diet. Consequently, this causes her to further limit her food consumption. It is crucial to acknowledge that anorexia, although being the most fatal eating disorder, there are additional eating disorders that endanger both mental and physical health.
Another eating disorder that is potentially harmful, aside from anorexia, is bulimia. Unlike anorexia, people with bulimia consume large amounts of food within a short period and then purge it to prevent weight gain from the food they ate (Vitkus 115).
Bulimia, also known as bulimarexia, was initially observed in the late 1800s but received significant recognition in the 1940s when it was regarded as a symptom of anorexia. Officially recognized as a distinct disorder and named “bulimia” in 1979, the term originates from the Latin word for ox hunger.
Diagnosing bulimia is relatively easier compared to anorexia since individuals with bulimia typically do not feel hungry during evaluation and frequently exhibit symptoms of depression.
In order for bulimia to be classified, certain criteria must be met, including the food binge must be ingested within a two-hour time frame, terminated by sleep, social interruption, abdominal pain, or self-induced vomiting, and the episodes must occur at least twice a week for over three months. Bulimia is primarily caused by dieting problems. If a person breaks their diet and binges, they may engage in purging to alleviate the guilt associated with it. Bulimia typically occurs in late teens to early twenties (Worsnop 1100).
The severity of the illness can vary depending on the individual and how long they have been suffering. A bulimic binge can range from indulging in a small ice cream cone to consuming an astonishing ten thousand calories within a mere two hours. For most individuals with bulimia, purging is a way to find relief. Many struggle with suppressing feelings of anger, insecurity, anxiety, and managing stress; therefore, purging provides them with a sense of being cleansed not only from food but also from stress. Once someone realizes that they can eat without gaining weight, they become trapped in a continuous cycle of bingeing and purging that may persist for numerous years.
Bulimia presents a paradoxical situation where individuals feel both loss of control and control. Symptoms of bulimia, which may not be readily apparent, consist of difficulties with swallowing and retaining food, swollen and infected salivary glands, damage to the esophagus, burst blood vessels in the eyes, as well as tooth decay and enamel loss (Epstein 66).
Therapists believe that overeating is frequently used as a means of compensating for feelings of deficiency in love, self-esteem, and control. Conversely, purging is seen as an effort to alleviate guilt and unhappiness. A therapist proposes that the pattern of bingeing and purging signifies an individual’s attempt to conform to societal norms and subsequently expel their inability to fully embrace those norms personally (Mathews 45). Despite being undeniably damaging, bulimia is not the most prevalent eating disorder.
Compulsive over-eating, which is also called binge eating, is the most prevalent eating disorder. It resembles bulimia but does not involve purging. Approximately 10% of individuals who compulsively overeat are obese. This condition causes strain on the body and can result in hypertension, high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
Bingeing is a way to avoid reality and find comfort instead of facing disappointments. Despite eating large amounts of food during a binge, people may not get enough nutrition because they prefer unhealthy snacks. Adolescents who compulsively overeat often feel depressed, isolated, and have low self-esteem. While 60% of cases affect women more frequently, there is no evidence suggesting a predisposition in specific ethnic groups. Depression is a common symptom and sometimes the main cause. It is recommended that individuals struggling with binge-eating seek help from a psychiatrist as this disorder often arises from an ineffective coping mechanism for life’s challenges.
Dobie (1) states that binge eating is characterized by various symptoms including consuming fast food, eating until feeling uncomfortable, excessive intake despite not being hungry, eating alone due to shame, and the inability to purge after consuming large amounts. Compulsive overeating, which is often unrecognized as an eating disorder, can greatly affect one’s health.
The medical conditions of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and compulsive over-eating are extremely serious and need to be recognized in order to effectively treat them. The media is frequently criticized for promoting unrealistic body image standards. However, society is slowly moving away from the idea that being thin is more desirable. Throughout history, different body types have been fashionable at different times. In the 1800s, a curvier figure was seen as a sign of wealth and social standing.
Thinness was popularized as a beauty standard in the 1970s by British super-model Twiggy. Nowadays, there are numerous treatments available for eating disorders. Psychologists aspire for individuals to embrace their bodies and find happiness, irrespective of the unrealistic standards set by the media.
Works Cited
- Claypool, Jane. Food Trips and Traps; Coping With Eating Disorders. Watts,1983.
- Dobie, Michael. Losing Weight, Losing Lives. Newsday, 28 December 1982,SIRS Researcher CD-ROM.
- Epstein, Rachel. Eating Habits and Disorders. Philadelphia, Chelsea house,1990.
- Kolodny, Nancy J. When Foods a Foe; How to Confront and Conquer EatingDisorders. Little Brown, 1987.
- Mathews, John R. Little Brown, 1987.
- Mathews, John R. Eating Disorders: Facts on File. 1991Recognizing Eating Disorders. Current Health 2, Highland Park, December2000, Vol. 27, Issue 4. 24 January 2001: http://proquest.umi.com/pdq.web.
- Samz, Jane. Drugs and Diet. Chelsea House, 1988.
- Silverson, Alvin. So You Think Youre Fat? All About Obesity, Anorexia,Bulimia, and other Eating Disorders. New York, 1993.
- What Are Eating Disorders? March 1999, 25 January 2001. http://my.webmd.com/content/article11680.50411.
- Worsnop, Richard I. Eating Disorders, CQ Researcher, Vol. 2, Issue 47;1097-1120. Washington D.C., Congressional Quarterly Inc., 18 December 1992.
