Eating disorders are often mistaken as a chosen lifestyle, but instead are quite the opposite. These disorders can create severe health problems and even death. People who have eating disorders often acquire them through the obsession of body shape and weight. Two of the most common eating disorders are anorexia and bulimia. Anorexia, also known as anorexia …show more content…
Anorexia causes the body to become unnaturally thin, and often causes the feelings of guilt and anxiety. People who suffer with this are never thin enough in their own eyes or their body image is just never right. Some of the major health problems and side effects of anorexia are major weight loss, irregular menstrual cycles, thin hair, dry skin and fragile nails. Other affects are swollen hands and feet, low blood pressure and a layer of downy hair over the body. Some psychological signs are disfigured body images, refusing to eat, depression, and the unwillingness to admit their disease (NEDA, 2016).
Bulimia also comes with its own string of health issues and consequences. Some signs are binge eating excessively, often in secret, over excessive exercising, dehydration, bad breath and missing, or lacking menstrual periods. Other signs include feeling guilt or shame, constipation, sore throat, and depression as well (NEDA, 2016). Both eating disorders are most at risk in teenagers and college student, and adult women. The cause of bulimia is unclear, but it is theorized that it might be connected to genetics. Other causes may be sexual abuse or too much pressure for achievement by …show more content…
Victims of these disorders see themselves as imperfect human beings. It breaks my heart to think that there are women out there who can’t accept their bodies the way they are. It is still shocking to me that these people with anorexia can look in the mirror and think that they are still over weight. But I still think that one of the main reasons for these disorders comes from social media and the want for social acceptance. Social media today is so critical on women’s body images. It is truly ridiculous how much girls are pressured to look perfect. We have created this image of the perfect hourglass figure, with flowing hair, and flawless makeup. These images fill our timelines on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. What people don’t realize is how edited these photos are. The photos don’t portray the true image of the women in them. As women, we need to be embracing our given bodies and accepting that there is no way to be perfect. God created us to glorify him in everything, and he gave us the body and abilities to do so. The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders is an organization that helps people who suffer from anorexia disorder and other eating disorders. They offer support groups to help victims get through these disorders and to prevent them from relapsing again. They are the oldest, nonprofit organization working towards eating disorder awareness and prevention. There mission statement is, “To