Eating Disorders Essay -- Papers Health Weight Fat Essays

Eating Disorders An eating disorder is a serious disruption of a persons eating habits, in some cases it may be a reflection of abnormal psychological functioning. The two most common eating disorders are, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa. Both of these eating disorders are most common among adolescent girls, but they do occur amongst older people and are becoming more and more frequent amongst men. Also they were originally only found in European countries but are becoming more common all over the world. Anorexia nervosa This is a disorder where the person fears that they might become overweight. (despite being seriously underweight) therefore they engage in self starving to try to prevent this from happening. Bulimia nervosa This is a disorder in which the person will engage in episodes of uncontrollable eating ?bingeing? which is then followed by self indulged vomiting, ?purging?. People who have bulimia have abnormal concerns with body size and a morbid fear of being or becoming fat. Characteristics of anorexia There are four listed criteria for anorexia Anxiety This is a key characteristic of anorexia. The anxiety associated with the disorder and the excessive fear of becoming fat. People who have anorexia not only become obsessed with weight but they also become fearful of weight gain. Weight Weight loss has become to be considered abnormal when it drops below 85% of the persons normal weight, based on their age and height. People who have anorexia develop abnormal eating habits. For exampl... ...rigger biological responses and a behavioral cycle of reinforcements. If someone fears weight gain, ho or she diets and starvation leads to changes in neurotransmitters. If an individual starts losing weight and dieting then this leads to an increased attention and attractiveness, encouraging further weight control. The found concept of faulty cognitions may also offer a form of treatment for the disorder. By dealing with the fear of weight gain itself. It may also offer methods of detecting people at risk of developing bulimia. It may also be that certain characteristics co-vary with a persons faulty perceptions. E.g. a person, who has maladaptive assumptions, may also have a more rigid cognitive style. It could therefore be this rigid cognitive style rather then the faulty perceptions that causes bulimia.