Eating disorder is an abnormal eating pattern that eventually deteriorates a person's health and increases the risk of other diseases. In this disorder, people overeat, or eat just to satisfy a psychic need and not physical need. Eating disorder is life threatening illness if left untreated. Eating disorder which includes anorexia, bulimia and compulsive overeating are some of the serious forms of mental illness. Living a life with this illness imparts a feeling of insecurity, shame, anxiety. Mostly, the individual is left to struggle alone because of the complicated combination of physical and mental symptoms, but with proper medication, this illness can be cured. People with eating disorder feel that they are overweight and continue eating less and become malnourished. Most women, especially the teenage girls are affected badly by eating disorder because in order to look good they want to lose weight by starving themselves, which is totally unhealthy way of weight loss. People suffering with an eating disorder may show some psychological illness such as obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, panic disorder and anxiety. They are likely to fall prey to dissociative disorder and multiple personality disorder. Sometimes, such people exhibit other addictive or self-destructive behaviors which include alcoholism, drug addiction, self-injury, cutting and self-mutilation etc. Other physical health problems associated with eating disorder are malnutrition, dehydration, kidney, heart and liver damage. Sometimes people eat large amount of food frequently and without any control over their eating even when they are physically not hungry, and after eating they feel disgust, depression or guilt because of overeating. This type of disorder is called binge eating disorder. Despite knowing all the physical and psychological health problems related with eating disorder there are many sites and organization with pro eating disorder idea, they are encouraging people to embrace eating disorder, and suggesting people to make eating disorder a life's choice irrespective of an illness. Embracing eating disorder is not a good idea. It should be identified and treated immediately in best possible ways. Seeking professional assistance from a therapist is the foremost and mostly preferred. As he examine your condition and start the medication according to your need. Family members can also help the patient by giving nutrition counseling, behavior modification and psychotherapy. In severe case of physical or psychological health deterioration, a patient may require hospitalization. People with eating disorder are habituated living with negative coping mechanism; in such cases you should set a positive mindset, or you can take help from family doctor, religious counselor, self-help group etc. If you are facing eating disorder, never feel alone, share your problems with your parents, and talk freely to your loved ones. Never feel shame sharing your problems with others, and start eating up regularly, that not only strengthen you body but also help you to fight out eating disorder. |
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