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 On Monday February 6th, the Government was forced to stand up and take
notice of the problems faced by young people with eating disorders
thanks to a challenging report published by the Eating Disorders
Association (EDA).
“Time to Tell” the report by young people with a personal experience of
eating disorders was presented to the House of Commons to mark the start
of this year’s National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (Feb 5th-11th),
and highlights some worrying facts.
According to the report, 45% of the 1000 young people surveyed said that
they couldn’t tell anyone about their problems, and 62% said that they
waited more than six months before seeking help.
Young people, particularly girls aged between 14-21, make up the largest
percentage of the 1.1 million people affected by eating disorders.
However, acccording to the report, not enough is being done to help
young people deal with the emotional issues lying at the heart of their
disorders and help them back on the road to recovery.
Here, The LINC take a ‘A Closer Look at’ what eating disorders are, what
you can do if you think a friend has an eating disorder, and, most
importantly, where you can find help if you yourself are suffering.
What Are Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders are complexed conditions that affect a person’s ability
to eat normally, affecting both their mental and physical health. There
is a common misconception that eating disorders are all about loosing
mass amounts of weight and being unhealthily thin. Yet bulimia, where a
person’s weight may fluctuate frequently, binge eating and obesity are
also classed as eating disorders.
Eating disorders are often ‘misdiagnosed and misunderstood’, and
according to a survey published in November 2005 (Health of the Nation
by Dr. John Foster for Norwich Union), a large number of doctors
admitted that they need to be better at making early diagnoses of
patients with eating disorders.
So, what are they, and what are the signs?
Anorexia Nervosa
Literally translated as ‘loss of appetite for nervous reasons’, Anorexia
Nervosa (more commonly known as Anorexia) is perhaps the most widely
known form of eating disorder in which the sufferer reduces the amount
they eat by a significant amount and have an obsessive fear of being
fat.
This usually stems from a need to be thin and/or to improve
self-confidence, yet the longer the disorder continues, the more it
begins to control that person to the point where the chemical changes in
the body affect the person’s ability to think rationally, and despite
shedding lots of weight, still view themselves as fat and overweight.
In mid 2005, LINC reporter Kate Moore spoke to 15-year-old Anorexia
sufferer Natalie (‘Skinny & Screaming’ The LINC, Autumn 2005), who gave
an open, honest account of life with Anorexia. An example of how much
Anorexia can control the mind and how obsessed with the desire to be
thin the sufferer can become.
“I’m under six stone and petrified of looking fat,” she said. “My feet
are black and each time I take a bath I have to lie a towel in the
bottom as my bones stick out so much it’s unbearably uncomfortable to
sit down, and each time I wash or brush my hair, handfuls fall out and
wash away like dirt down the plug hole.
“Yet I know I am right… Whenever I look in the mirror, nothing has
changed. I have lost weight technically, but I can never see the
results. I am not skinnier or prettier, so what’s the point in
stopping.”
Natalie goes on to explain that her condition “Started as a diet”, in an
attempt to look as pretty as her friend, and that may well be the way
many cases of Anorexia Nervosa begins, especially in young girls. Yet as
the obsession to loose weight and the need for self-confidence grows,
that ‘diet’ can spiral into an all-consuming disorder that could
potentially be a killer, with around 13-20% of Anorexia sufferers dying
due to their condition.
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 The Effects of Anorexia
• Poor or inadequate weight gain in relation to their growth or
substantial weight loss.
• Constipation and abdominal pains
• Dizzy spells.
• Bloated stomach.
• Puffy face and ankles
• Downy hair on the body; occasionally loss of hair on the head when
recovering.
• Poor blood circulation and feeling cold.
• Dry, rough or discoloured skin
• Loss of periods; loss of interest in sex
• Loss of bone mass and eventually osteoporosis
• Intense fear of gaining weight and obsessive interest in what others
are eating
• Distorted perception of body shape or weight
• Denial of the existence of a problem
• Changes in personality and mood swings
Other Signs
• Rigid or obsessional behaviour attached to eating, such as cutting
food into tiny pieces
• Mood swings
• Restlessness and hyperactivity
• Wearing big baggy clothes
• Vomiting, use of laxatives
Bulimia Nervosa
Like Anorexia, Bulimia Nervosa is normally triggered by a number of
emotional problems and/or pressures at school, college or work.
Unlike Anorexia however, Bulimia is not about loosing mass amounts of
weight, and often any difference in weight will be so subtle that even
the people closest to you wouldn’t suspect that anything was wrong.
Translated as “The nervous hunger of an Ox,” Bulimia Nervosa involves
binge-eating large amounts of food before immediately getting rid of it
by either vomiting, taking laxatives, starvation or extreme amounts of
exercise.
Though Anorexia is probably the most well known disorder, Bulimia is
thought to be 2-3 times more common. However, the two disorders are not
mutually exclusive, with around half of anorexics suffering from Bulimia
and around 40% of bulimics having a history of anorexia.
Effects of Bulimia
• Frequent weight change
• Sore throat, tooth decay and bad breath
• Swollen salivary glands making the face rounder
• Poor skin condition and possible hair loss
• Irregular periods and/or loss of interest in sex
• Lethargy & tiredness
• Increased risk of heart problems and problems with other internal
organs.
• Uncontrollable urges to eat cast amounts of food
• Obsession with food
• Distorted perception of body weight and shape
• Emotional behaviour and mood swings
• Anxiety and depression
• Low self-esteem, shame, guilt.
• Isolation –feeling lonely and helpless
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Other Signs
• Bingeing and vomiting
• Disappearing to the toilet after meals in order to vomit food eaten.
• Excessive use of laxatives, diuretics or enemas
• Periods of fasting
• Excessive exercise
• Secrecy and reluctance to socialise
• Shoplifting for food or spending abnormal amounts of money on food.
• Food disappearing unexpectedly or being secretly hoarded.
Eating Disorders in Men
Whilst eating disorders do predominantly affect young women, they are
not the only ones who suffer, as around 10% of all people with eating
disorders are men.
Although this provides the same problems that all sufferers of eating
disorders are faced with, it also presents it’s own set of problems. As
hard as it is for girls to speak up about their problems, ‘macho
culture’ and the general myth that eating disorders are exclusively a
girls’ problem make it even harder for men who still feel that talking
about their problems makes them ‘weak’.
Ironically, it is this same sense of living up to social ideals that
causes many men to develop eating disorders in the first place.
According to a report by the EDA, a number of men reported that their
problems began in school. Teased and bullied for being overweight, the
lack of confidence and self-esteem they had in their childhood led them
to looking for ways to loose large amounts of weight and conform and
idealistic image.
With men, this can form a vicious circle. The less men who are willing
to come forward and admit to having an eating disorder, the less
recognition men’s disorders are likely to get, the less help men are
likely to receive.
What causes eating disorders?
As we’ve already mentioned, the main reasons that people develop eating
disorders are due to issues of self-perception, confidence and esteem,
internal conflicts brought on by external factors.
Problems at school, college or work, the death of someone close,
emotional or sexual abuse, or any other number of issues could all
contribute to a person developing an eating disorder.
Often, these issues make the person feel as though their life is out of
control, and seek a sense of power over their lives by controlling food
and the way they eat.
Another big outside factor that has been widely criticised for
contributing to eating disorders is the media.
Despite a number of campaigns such as Dove’s “Real Women” campaign
(urging the media to show images of more natural ‘real’ women), the
visual media is still rife with images of ultra-thin models and
celebrities, presenting an image of a ‘thin-ideal’.
Add to this new reality TV shows such as ‘Celebrity Fit Club’ and it
seems that the media are hell-bent on telling the public that thin is
the only way to be.
Yet, although the media do have a powerful influence, in this case
particularly over teenage girls, it is unfair to suggest that they are
totally responsible in much the same way that they can not be held
totally responsible for other things such as violence, binge-drinking
etc that they are often blamed for influencing.
If someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder
Throughout this article, we have mentioned symptoms and signs, both
physical and mental or eating disorders.
Yet although food is an issue which presents itself physically, it is
important to remember that eating disorders are the result of emotional
problems and if you do suspect that a friend or someone close to you has
an eating disorder that you approach the underlying issues, rather than
the issues of food and body image.
You may notice that your friend has an obsession with food, such as
knowing exactly how many calories are in everything they eat, or they
may avoid hanging out with you at meal times so that they can eat in
private. However it is important to concentrate more on the reasons why
they have developed the disorder that than the disorder it self.
Talk to your friend in private, asking them if they’re OK. Let them know
that you’ve noticed changes in them and are concerned, but be aware that
they may be angry and confrontational as often they will have a hard time
admitting that they have a problem or may believe that their problems
had passed unnoticed. If they do seem angry, remember not to get angry
back at them. It is not your friend who is changing; it is the disorder
taking over.
If they do not want to talk about it, or refuse to seek help, speak to
your parents, your friend’s parents, a teacher or school nurse. Your
friend may be resentful of this, but remember that the most important
thing is that they get better, and in the long run, they will know that
you care and are there for them.
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If you have an eating disorder
With over a million people in the UK suffering from eating disorders in
the UK, you are not alone, nor should you be alone on the road to
recovery.
Having said that however, despite friends, parents or other people
wanting you to seek help, the only person who can make the decision that
you are going to get better, ultimately, is you.
Yet once you have made that decision, you will find that there is an
abundance of help out there.
As well as your GP, there are many websites, help-lines and counselling
services out there, both locally and nationally where you can find help
and advice on overcoming your disorder.
Useful websites
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http://www.edauk.com/youngpeople/index.html – the Eating Disorders
Association have their own website dedicated to young people.
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www.purplechocolate.co.uk - A positive and supportive page for young
people who suffer from eating disorders, be it anorexia, bulimia, or
overeating (or even a combination of all three!), and families of those
suffering from the disorders.
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www.eatingproblems.org - The Eating Problems Service is for young people
concerned about their weight, body image or what they eat, and provide
support and advice on a range of issues including binge eating, bulimia
or even self-harm.
Help Lines
The Eating Disorders Association Youth Helpline - 01 603 765 050
Young People’s Text Service - 07 977 493 345
Samaritans - 08457 909090
Counselling Services & Support Groups
BAND - is a self-help and support group for people with eating disorders
in Bolton. They meet on the 2nd Monday of every month between 7.30 – 9pm
at The Meeting Room on St. Georges Road in Bolton. For More info contact
01204 521673
Little London – are the free, confidential young people’s counselling
service for young people aged 11-25 in Wigan Borough. Call (01942)
776767 and leave a confidential answer message. Little London
counsellors will then get back to you.
Give us your views...
Have you suffered from an eating disorder? Have you dealt with a friend
or family parent with an eating disorder? Do you believe the media sets
a bad example for young women? Send in your views to The LINC Online at
linconline@wlct.org. You do not have to include your name if you do not
wish to.
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