Eating Disorders: The Warning Signs

Now, this may seem a bit off topic for an IBS site, however, as what I discuss about getting rid of your IBS is mostly diet related, I thought I could squeeze this in. I also felt this was topical because I have heard/seen mention of it in magazines on the radio lately.  It seems that more and more websites are popping up to help people justify their eating disorders…yes, that is right…the sites are supporting eating disorders.  Pretty disturbing!

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are the two most common eating disorders and both of these conditions affect males and females in a serious way. For this reason it is important for you to be able to spot the warning signs associated with these disorders so you can help and take care of someone you love or are close to.

Eating disorders take over when people view themselves and their relationship with food in an unhealthy way. We all need food to deliver the necessary nutrients to our bodies but as well as eating tasty food, the right kind of food is essential to our health, growth and general wellbeing.

Those suffering with anorexia nervosa have an immense fear of gaining weight. When they catch a glimpse of themselves in the mirror, they see a grossly overweight person and it does not matter how slim they are really, all they see is fat. They fight this by making sure they eat smaller portions of food.  However, the amount of food they take in is not sufficient to provide their bodies with the nutrition it needs.

The warning signs of anorexia nervosa are easily missed by the people around the sufferer. The small portions are explained away as a means of keeping in shape and this is generally accepted, especially in the case of teenagers, who are usually in conflict one way or another with their bodies. So, if you have a child or teenager close to you who normally eats along with the rest of the family, and all of a sudden they are eating elsewhere, it is time to be taking a little extra interest in what is going on.

Anorexics are constantly concerned with their weight to the point where exercising, jumping on the weighing scales and counting calories becomes an obsession.  They are alarmed by any kind of festivity involving food and more often than not they will get out of attending any event where they would be expected to eat.  However slim they are, they have the idea firmly fixed in their heads that they are fat, even obese.

Usually people with anorexia tend to be underweight, whereas those suffering with bulimia nervosa are within the normal to slightly overweight bracket.  With a low level of self esteem and a dismal view of the shape of their bodies they too are terrified of putting on weight and will do everything they can to control their food intake in order to keep an even tighter control on their lives.

Out of sight of others, bulimics binge on food and then when the feeling of guilt sets in they cause themselves to vomit or take laxatives to get rid of the food they have eaten. Just like anorexics, they avoid gatherings where food is on offer and exercise to excess in a bid to lose weight. If you have a bulimic child in your family, you are likely to find laxative boxes or enema bottles stashed away in their room.

The above mentioned eating disorders are becoming more and more common amongst teenagers and if left untreated the conditions are sure to get totally out of control and as a result serious damage, quite often irreversible, can be caused both physically and mentally.

Keep an eye on those close to you and if you think you have cause for concern make sure you get them to pay a visit to their doctor as soon as possible.  Intervening at an early stage can prevent all manner of health problems in the future and most of all stop the disorder from becoming life-threatening.

Hopefully this will never be an issue for you or anyone close to you, but in case you do come across it you will be better equipped to spot the issue and deal with it quickly!