What is an eating disorder? An eating disorder is an extreme emotional and physical problem that can have life changing events. When does it start? Usually an eating disorder develops during adolescence, but can start as early as eight. This usually starts with the tendency to have the “bodies to die for” and the pressure to fit in. Many have the “I look big in everything” attitude. Many do not know they have an eating disorder, but there are many living with one among us. There are many ways to know, help, and believe.

If you or your friend lives in an environment where you/she feels rejected, then you may want to talk to a counselor or to a good friend. The number one warning of an eating disorder is the “distorted body image” where they feel like they can never be what people want them to be. Many feel they need to be in control of what they are eating and how much they eat. All of these symptoms can lead to an eating disorder.

There are six most known eating disorders. First there is Anorexia Nervosa which is better known as self-starvation along with extreme weight loss. With this many feel physically and emotionally drained, have the fear of gaining weight, and the thinner they are the better. Second most common is Bulimia Nervosa which is the uncontrolled (binge) eating followed by vomiting, fasting, and purging. Bulimics tend to feel guilt, fear, depressed, and moody. Binge Eating is eating large quantities of food while experiencing a sense of lack of control. Obesity is an excess adipose tissue that results in excess energy intake relative to energy expenditure. Chronic dieting is continuous dieting. Orthorexia is an excessive focus on eating healthy foods. Having an eating disorder has many harmful effects.

There are two types of effects. There is long term and short term. With short term effect you can feel weak, insomnia, weight loss, loss of hair, skin rash, and irregular menstruation. Having long term effects are a lot more serious. With this term there is usually extreme weight loss, tooth decay, constipation, decreased body temperature, stomach pain, malnutrition, imbalance, and DEATH. These effects can ruin everything. If you have a friend with an eating disorder and want to help before something like this happens get help.

You are probably wondering “How can I help?” If you have a friend with an eating disorder there are many things you can do. The most important is to be understanding, be respectful, share and be honest, give them hope, and tell them about health services that can help. What if I have an eating disorder? The first step is to admit it, then tell, next learn, and last get help. If you have a friend with an eating disorder DO NOT call them crazy, gossip, blame them, ignore them, reject them, and follow them around. The most important thing is to help them.

Works Cited

Eating Disorders: What Everyone Should Know. Baltimore: American College Health Association, 2007.

Grilo, Carlos. Eating disorders. London: Psychology P, 2006.

The Inside Scoop On Eating Disorders. Northampton: Melissa J. Porter, Karen Pick, Kristen Slate, Antoinette Pucci, Tana Aurland, Connie Peterson, 1991.