Anorexia is an eating disorder where people starve themselves and treatment of anorexia is difficult, because people with this disease believe there is nothing wrong with them. Anorexia is one type of eating disorder and another is bulimia. Both are applicable to men but much more common for women. Preteens, girls especially, can develop a serious eating disorder. Eating disorders may begin in children as young as 8 years old.
People with eating disorders really do harmful things to their bodies because of their obsession about their weight. The most widely and rapidly spreading eating disorder is compulsive overeating or binge eating disorder. There are three types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and ED-NOS (Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified). Anorexia is a mental illness, it usually is about a control issue.
If you are on this web site then you probably already know what anorexia is. In one example anorexia is described as a way of gaining attention. It is for sure a condition that leads to problems with eating. The most common form of anorexia is simply satiation following the consumption of food. Central to persons in this condition is an abnormal fear of gaining weight.
If you are suffering from most of the symptons of anorexia, but not really severely or really that noticably, you need medical help anyway. There are also some very unusual symptons like pregnancy symptons. Angina symptons can also be common. Primarily though is the sudden interest in weight loss, food, calories etc. You can have The Eating Attitudes Test which gives an index of the symptons of anorexia nervosa.
There are many treatment centers for persons with eating disorder, but enough. So although eating disorders are rampant in our society, yet few states in the nation have adequate programs or services to combat anorexia nervosa and bulimia. As up to 10 million teens develop eating disorders, abnormal attitudes and behaviors with foods, which include anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. Eating disorders that are literally killing youngsters and adults.
To get a proper treatment you should search for institutions with an Eating Disorders Intensive Counseling Treatment Program to treat these eating disorders. Some also offer Specialized Adolescent Eating Disorder Programs including help for their parents.
In spite of all the treatment availbable there remain a small number, usually girls, who die from this condition despite energetic and expert treatment.
The sooner the treatment is started, the better the chance of recovery. Remember you can make a difference by helping a friend confront her illness and seek treatment. Successful treatment of anorexia requires that the patients symptoms be egodystonic enough for the patient to be motivated to do something about them.
What is appropriate treatment when a person with an eating disorder is also a substance abuser. Some commentators have spoken out against psychiatric treatment of anorexia nervosa in general and, in particular, against compulsory treatment. Treatment of anorexia nervosa is often quite complicated the patient must want to change and must have family and friends to help them.
The motivation for anorexia is the mirror, how do I look. So the best you can say to a person with anorexia is "You don't look healthy".
