a little eduction for you...

ok so a lot of people say why dont u just eat? all u have to do is eat and everything will be better... i only wish it were so damn easy! so anyway - here is a paper i have written and posted here for ur education... if u do not have an eating disorder read this, educate urself and then go and do something healthy for u and those u love... for the rest of u... i know how hard this is and the battle is not urs alone.
Current Issue In Life-Span Development


Eating disorders (ED) are often overlooked from the psychological view and are often believed to be a ‘choice’ or ‘a diet gone too far’, yet ED’s have the highest death rate of all psychological disorders. Understanding ED’s and knowing they are not just something one ‘chooses’ is very important. This means there must be some exploration as well into the role the ED plays on one’s development through life and how it will affect their future as well as the present. Resulting in the rising questions – what causes one to develop an ED? What are some of the developmental affects as a result of an ED? And finally what will the effects on the life of the sufferer both present and future?

Looking first at the causes of an ED, it is interesting to point out that there is not specifically one known reason for the development of an ED. There has been research done and it still remains a conflict to the factors of why one may develop these disorders however known factors are described in the following sections. One must understand that the sufferer may have one; more than one - or all the described factors contributing to their ED.

Some experts say research shows that ED’s are not only genetically passed on through families, but also the development of an ED is strongly influenced by the media and peer pressure. They are also aided in development from the view society lays on the obsession of being thin and dieting, and that being thin represents success and happiness. While still other research shows that ED’s “…are complex conditions that arise from a combination of long-standing behavioral, biological, emotional, psychological, interpersonal, and social factors” (National Eating Disorder Association, 2004).

First, to understand better the role an ED plays in the development of a person and in their lives, we must identify and understand the diagnosis.

To define an eating disorder; look at the clinical terminology of two specific eating disorders that are diagnosable and a third which is being further researched; their definitions are as follows:

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is diagnosed as “…a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss” (National Eating Disorder Association, 2002).

Bulimia Nervosa (BN) is diagnosed as “…a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by a cycle of bingeing and compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting designed to undo or compensate for the effects of binge eating” (National Eating Disorder Association, et al.).

Third is the binge eating disorder (BED) which has a current diagnosis of “…a type of eating disorder not otherwise specified and is characterized by recurrent binge eating without the regular use of compensatory measures to counter the binge eating” (National Eating Disorder Association, et al.).

Next are some of the known potential causes for the development of an ED. For example psychological factors such as low or no self-esteem; depression, anger and higher than normal levels of anxiety, often these contribute to the development and severity of the ED. Poor body image and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), defined as: “…involves a distorted view of one's body that is caused by social, psychologic, or possibly biologic factors.” also fall under psychological factors.

Cultural or social factors are those that portray to society, particularly to the youth, a need to be ‘thin’ for acceptance - and have a high impact on the development and severity of the ED. According to the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA),

“Media images that help to create cultural definitions of beauty and attractiveness are often acknowledged as being among those factors contributing to the rise of eating disorders” (2002).

Interpersonal factors such as a history of sexual or physical abuse and poor or troubled family relationships also have a role in the development of the ED. As noted by Alwan (n.d.): “There have been recent studies done showing a correlation between victims of sexual, physical and emotional abuse and eating disorders.” She also includes that because of the number of abuse cases that go without being reported “…it is hard to give exact numbers or estimates…”

There are biological factors such as genetics, or other family members who have had - or have an eating disorder, which may also be contributing factors to the development of an ED. In a recent statement from the National Institute of Mental Health director, Dr. Thomas Insel, M.D. (October 5, 2006), he states that the ED is not only biological as well genetic and but also a ‘brain’ disease:

…Research tells us that anorexia nervosa is a brain disease with severe metabolic effects on the entire body. While the symptoms are behavioral, this illness has a biological core, with genetic components, changes in brain activity, and neural pathways currently under study.

However, because of low funding for research and treatments, there may be additional factors not yet found.

Issues the ED sufferer may have as a result – in their lives now and in the future such as poor health or health related issues may include are not limited to: increased cavities or dental problems, which may result in the need of dentures or oral surgeries due to bone deterioration; a loss of menstruation or irregular menstruation, and may become infertile.

Many sufferers of an ED also have electrolyte imbalances such as low potassium, magnesium and sodium; they may also experience muscle cramps and muscle deterioration – from malnutrition and the body begins to ‘eat’ its own muscle. Many ED sufferers also have bone mass loss, which often leads to osteoporosis and most also have heart problems such as arrhythmia, palpitations, or heart attacks.

Without the proper treatment and care, the ED can escalate resulting in “…a self-perpetuating cycle of physical and emotional destruction” (National Eating Disorder Association, 2004). ED’s can have a devastating effect on the person suffering from the time it becomes a disorder through the remainder of treatment and even effects the remainder of his or her lives. The person with the ED will always have an ED even if he or she have successfully gone through treatment and are living in recovery. As with alcoholics and drug users – once he or she has an ED he or she will always have an ED, the difference is- it will be maintained.

For many cases, the result of an ED not treated, or treated unsuccessfully – ends in death. In the world of psychiatric, or mental - illnesses, eating disorders have the highest death rate. A saddening example and fact, which can be seen by the most recent deaths caused from eating disorders in 2006. As reported on the website Eating-disorder-information.com (n.d.), there was the death of Luisel Ramos: Aug. 02, 2006 died of heart failure from her low body weight and AN; Ana Carolina Reston: died Nov 14, 2006 from multiple organ failure related to AN; and Bahne Rabe German rower and 1988 Seoul Olympic eight gold medallist. He died at the age of 37 on August 2nd 2001, he was fighting AN and starved himself to death.

In the end it all boils down to whether this started out as a simple ‘diet’ or some drastic measure to ‘change oneself’ the result turned into an ED.

The psychological aspect of any ED is greatly influenced in the development of a person’s self worth, self esteem, self confidence, and body image. With the ED an ever prevalent factor, the sufferer may never find true peace and happiness in themselves and their life. Overcoming the ED, learning to live in “peace” but possessing the control requires an enormous amount of effort and work. Once it has been overcome and is under maintenance, the other side is a much happier place to exist and find success in.
References:

Alwan, Christina (n.d.). Abuse and eating disorders. Retrieved, Sept. 13, 2010 from

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/eating_disorders/118306

Eating Disorders Risk Factors, 2010. University of Maryland Medical Center. Retrieved

electronically Sept 13, 2010 from

http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/who_develops_eating_disorders_000049_2.htm

Eating-disorder-information.com (n.d.). Retrieved electronically Sept 13, 2010 from

http://www.eating-disorder-information.com/mediacelebrities.php

Insel, Thomas M.D. National Institute of Mental Health Director (NIMH). Statement retrieved

Sept. 13,2010, from About eating disorders http://eatingdisorders.about.com/b/a/000024.htm

National Eating Disorder Association, 2002. Information for students webpage. Retrieved

electronically Sept.13, 2010, from http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/p.asp?WebPage_ID=292

National Eating Disorder Association, 2004. What causes eating disorders? Retrieved

electronically Sept 13, 2010, from, http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/nedaDir/files/documents/handouts/WhatCaus.pdf