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Body Image
As young adults it is at times difficult to feel good bout ourselves. We look into the
mirror and do not see anything resembling the beauty that resides on the pages of the
popular magazines. It is easy to see how many people can become depressed due to a
negative body image. Boyd image, depression, and eating disorders can be linked
together but can also be difficult to understand.
Self-esteem is having a positive sense of ourselves and liking who we are; it is being able
to trust ourselves and seek the advice of others. We are able to make mistakes and
acknowledge them ourselves and to others. When we have positive self-image we have
feelings of competence and self worth.
What is anorexia nervosa?
Having an obsessive interest in:
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Food
Body weight
Body image
Women who are diagnosed with anorexia:
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Do not eat
Constantly think about food
Have thoughts of an obsessive compulsive nature
Social isolation
Revulsion towards fat
Self-indulgence
Very distorted sense of their body image
This leads to a refusal to maintain a normal body weight for their height. They
fear gaining weight and getting fat, so they may exercise excessively and
compulsively. They often have hidden depression that is linked with their selfconcept.
Some other symptoms:
 Insomnia
 Lack of concentration
 Indecisiveness
 Mood swings, fatigue
 Lethargy
Their hormone production is decreased and may contribute to the chances of
getting osteoporosis later in life due to the lack of proper nutrition.
What is bulimia nervosa?
Bulimia may be easier to hide than anorexia because women who have this
disorder can keep a normal body weight.
Some other symptoms of this disorder:
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Preoccupation with food
Possible depression
Fast
Exercise excessively
Bulimics binge and eat for as much as two hours and then, feeling guilty, they
will purge their stomach. This is done by vomiting, the use of laxatives, diuretics,
and enemas. They also use over the counter pills to maintain their required
weight.
Bulimics may have:
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Low self-esteem
Intolerance of frustration
May not be able to express and recognize problems and feelings
The actions of bulimia can cause:
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Dehydration
Imbalance of potassium, sodium and can lead to:
o Fatigue
o Seizures
o Irregular heartbeat
o Brittle bones
Bulimia can result in:
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Stomach damage
Esophagus damage
Constipation
Bloating
Mouth and teeth problems
What is a binge eating disorder?
A binge eating disorder is similar to bulimia except that purging is not involved.
Bingers:
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Overweight due to compulsive overeating
Eat alone and they eat large amounts of food
May have major depression
May have anxiety disorders
Frequently feel frustrated
Low self-esteem
Can be very obese
Can result in:
o High blood pressure
o Clogged vessels
o Heart attacks
o Strokes
o Diabetes
o Bone or joint disorders
What is depression?
Individuals with depression have many symptoms. Usually five of these
symptoms as well as one or two are present in some two-week period:
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Depressed most of the day and almost every day
Loss of interest and motivation
Significant weight loss or gain
Insomnia or hypersomnia almost daily
Abnormal speeding up or down of activities and mental processes nearly
every day
Fatigue and memory loss
Not able to think or concentrate and have indecisiveness
Have feelings of worthlessness or guilt (low self-esteem)
Thoughts of death
What should I do if I think I have any of these disorders?
Depression, bulimia, and anorexia are serious disorders that can become a
controlling factor of life. They also affect friends and family members who do
not have the disease. To sufferers they feel like hopeless diseases that have no
cure. But remember that you are not alone and there are those who can help. If
you think that you have any of these disorders, please take the first step and call
for help. If you think that you know anyone with these diseases please talk to
someone you trust. You can help yourself and those you love.
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National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association
730 N. Franklin St., Suite 501
(800) 8026-3632
(312) 642-0079
(312) 642-7243—fax
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Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders Inc.
PO Box 7
Highland Park, IL 60035
(847) 831-3438
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National Eating Disorders Organization (NEDO)
6655 South Yale Ave.
Tulsa, OK 64137
(918) 481-4044
All information taken from online article : College Women In The Know: A
Kaleidoscope of Topics for a Foundation of Health
http://www.melpomene.org/intheknow/bodyimage.html