| Self-starvation, eating until the
point of malaise and forcing regurgitation are the signs of anorexia
and bulimia. Just medical science has found bulimia to be a genetic
disorder medical experts speculate that anorexia may have some
of the same genetic components. Nevertheless
a recent study released in the Journal of General Psychiatry
determined anorexia was more than 50 percent determined by genetics
and the socio-environment accounting for the other half. The
genetic link has stirred significant controversy amongst medical
researchers.
Certain skeptics have questioned the need for
bulimia to be treated as another psychiatric disorder. The doubters
contend that the temporary act of eating may be normal response
to the availability of food abundance. On the contrary, others
argue that the bulimic diagnosis is an authentic mental disorder.
Binge eating can swing the spectrum of dieting to eating in
excesses.
Similar to anorexia, the highs and lows of
binge eating make the sufferer feel low self esteem. The regurgitation
puts the bulimic back in control. Sufferers of anorexia and
bulimia require learning new eating habits to heal. Many medical
specialists teach their patients to approach food consumption
based on the body's natural cues of hunger and satiation.
The symptoms of bulimia include the following:
? Food consumption without hunger
? Shameful closet-like eating behavior (alone)
? Feelings of shame, guilt, disgust
? A depressed state after eating
If any of these eating habits transpire more
than twice a week for a minimum of six months, seek professional
attention. For more information on anorexia and bulimia the
National Eating Disorder organization has a wealth of information,
resources, support, treatments centers data, therapists and
more.
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