Eating Disorders in Adolescence.

 By; Ohere Mariam, U18mm2048

Most adolescent young women and a few young men want to be more slim and most diet at some time. A few binge-eat between episodes of dieting and may experiment with different ways of losing body weight. These episodes of disordered eating appear to be common in adolescence. Some young women (and a few young men) continue their disordered eating and develop an eating disorder. The two eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa (or persistent binge-eating). These illnesses affect about five women in every 100 in late adolescence or early adulthood. Anorexia Nervosa. A person who has anorexia nervosa relentlessly pursues the desire to be thin. He/She fears becoming fat, and may exaggerate the size of their er body when they look in a mirror. A lady’s menstrual periods ceases. The risk for anorexia goes up when one is an actor, model, dancer or athlete in sports where appearances and weight are seen as important such as wrestling, boxing, gymnastics and figure skating. Other factors causing anorexia may include: Low self esteem, Anxiety Disorders, Social pressure to be thin, History of being teased for weight or size, Perfectionism or setting unrealistic standards, Abnormal functioning of brain chemicals and circuits that control hunger and eating, Among others. The symptoms of anorexia nervosa include; anemia, intense fear of gaining weight, avoiding mealtimes, rapid weight loss, refusing feelings of hunger, striving tor perfection and being very self critical, irregular menstrual periods, among others. As the patients experience weight falls, their body becomes emaciated and hence their body functions in turn alter and they may become seriously ill. Treatment is to help the patient regain weight. If very ill would have to be re-fed in hospital, but in less severe illness, it is better to treat them outside hospital. The treatment of anorexia nervosa is by counseling, and one frequently needs to talk with their therapist during a period of months or years.

Treatment for Eating Disorder..

Bulimia Nervosa. The actual cause of Bulimia nervosa is not exactly known but according to research, It has been suggested to be caused by a mixture of certain personality traits, emotions, and thinking patterns, as well as biological and environmental factors. People with bulimia nervosa binge-eat two or more times a week, sometimes eating 10 or 20 times the amount they normally eat. Because they know that binge-eating this amount will make them fat, they starve between binges, learn to induce vomiting, or abuse laxatives, engage in compulsive exercising, fasting, enemas, among other methods of purging fat. Most binge-eaters are secretive about their eating behavior. Their weight is within the normal range but may fluctuate widely. About one anorexia nervosa patient in five also binge-eats. To identify a bulimia patient, some physical and behavioral symptoms include: Dental problems, Heartburn, indigestion, bloating, Irregular periods, Weakness, exhaustion, bloodshot eyes, Sleep disorders, Dizziness or fainting, Swollen glands in the neck and face, Hoarding or stealing food, Skipping meals or eating only small portions during meals, Using the bathroom frequently after meals, Depression or mood swings, Among others. If action is not taken immediately noticed to treat the patient suffering from bulimia, there are adverse consequences such as; stomach ulcers, dehydration, gum infection, heart attacks, lower sex drive, drug or alcohol misuse as well as self-harm. The treatment for bulimia nervosa is the same for anorexia nervosa which is to initially reinstate a weight gain technique for the patient as well as therapy.

Posted at; 10:56am