Eating Disorders
By: Abigail Cargnel
What is an eating disorder?
An eating disorder is any range of a psychological disorders characterized by abnormal of disturbed eating habits.
There are three types:
- Anorexia - eating a very small amount of food or not eating at all and exercising excessively.
- Bulimia - eating a normal amount of food or a very large amount of food in a short period of time but making yourself throw up or using laxatives after eating.
- Binge Eating - having episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short amount of time that are uncontrollable.
Symptoms:
- skipping meals
- excessive focus on healthy eating
- withdrawal from normal social activities
- persistent worry or complaints about being fat or talk of losing weight
- eating much more food than considered normal
- expressing disgust, depression, shame, or guilt about eating habits
Causes:
- low self esteem
- feelings of inadequacy or lack of control in life
- depression, anxiety, anger, stress or loneliness
- history of sexual abuse
- bullying due to size, weight or appearance
- difficulty expressing emotions and feelings
- stress
- insecure about body image
If you are struggling with an eating disorder don't be scared. Talk to someone. You can talk to a parent, a friend, a sibling, or even a school counselor. Just know that you are not alone.