04 Aug Eating Disorders Awareness
You have probably heard of all the popular names of eating disorders. There are actually many different disorders that are clinically recognised. Here they are:
- Anorexia nervosa
- Bulimia nervosa
- Purging disorder
- Eating disorder not otherwise specified
- Orthorexia nervosa
- Pica
- Rumination syndrome
- Prader–Willi syndrome
- Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder
- Muscle dysmorphia
- Feeding disorder
- Night eating syndrome
- Diabulimia
- Gourmand syndrome
How does an eating order develop?
Most of us can answer this question pretty accurately. Just from our school lives we have all come across branding or some type of bullying. There were always children who were different to each other and fell into the different categories of life. There were the skinny kids, the fat kids, the short kids, and the tall kids, then all of the different personalities, ethnic races and economic statuses.
All of these differences are very important to making our world the place it is today. If we were all the same, that would be just boring and weird.
Back to the topic! So, from an early age we were all subject to differences and because we are all so very different our minds are too. Some of us processed those differences in very unique ways. Through media and social expectation, we are conditioned through countless adverts, that there are certain ways that our bodies should look and certain ways we should be living our lives.
Of course we know as adults that this is utter nonsense, but at a young age we don’t know any better. Our self-perception becomes very warped and those little children who become very harsh critics about themselves are the ones who develop these disorders. There are a few different types of disorders where children are actually born with special needs like Prader–Willi syndrome, or who’s bodies reject certain foods through developed allergies.
The next time you are listening to people talk about health and fitness, disease or pretty much anything to do with people, try to listen out for these taught ideas and expectations. To be healthy and happy is just wonderful, but also remember that being sad or slightly overweight is a natural human thing too. Listen out for those adverts who are training people to think the way THEY want you to. Make up and fashion adverts are prime examples, where most of the actors and models are still teenagers dolled up to look like adults.
Be aware when you are talking to children and make sure you are teaching them that bodies are all different at every stage of growing up. Feeling happy and being healthy is the most important feeling to have.
People suffering from eating disorders are harming themselves physically and mentally. The physical part is sometimes very obvious to see but the SOURCE of the problem is all mental and internal.
Professional help should be used when helping anybody through these disorders. Please get in touch with us if you’d like more guidance on where to get help by emailing us here.
