Dealing with any form of food addiction or eating disorders can often be challenging and in severe cases, extremely life-threatening. Not only do eating disorders affect individuals who are struggling with them on their own, but it is not uncommon for eating disorders to put a strain on relationships and relationships with close family and friends. Understanding more about what it is like to become addicted to food and the signs of eating disorder issues that are most common today is a way to gain additional knowledge and perspective on those who suffer from any chronic disorder.
Becoming addicted to eating food is possible when an individual is consuming too many carbohydrates and too much sugar regularly. It is also more common to develop a food addiction when suffering from any form of trauma or attempting to escape and avoid emotional or stressful situations. Food addiction is serious and can easily lead to over-eating, consuming too many calories, and gaining a significant amount of weight in a short time period.
Understanding some of the most common eating disorders that are prevalent in both women and men is essential to determining whether you are suffering from an eating disorder or whether someone you know may be struggling with their own eating habits each day. Knowing how to properly define various eating disorders is a way to find the best resources that are tailored for your needs and most suitable for recovery in any case, regardless of the severity of the disorder.
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that affects both men and women and is also known as the third most chronic illness in teenagers and adolescents today. Anorexia consists of restricting oneself from eating and strictly counting calories to avoid over-eating and consuming foods high in calories and fat. Individuals who are struggling with anorexia nervosa and who have the condition severely may avoid eating altogether as much as possible, sufficing on water and other minimal-calorie vegetables. Many individuals suffering from anorexia may find themselves going without eating for days whenever possible.
Unfortunately, with the lack of education regarding proper diet and nutrition and the uprising in anorexia nervosa in young adolescents, the eating disorder has a mortality rate of 4% of those who suffer from it long-term.
Starving the body of its necessary nutrients can ultimately result in the body’s necessary organs shutting down, or organ failure. Without carbohydrates or ketones, the brain begins to become foggy and unable to focus. Individuals with severe cases of anorexia are likely to experience depression, anxiety, and even thoughts of suicide. Many cases of those who suffer from anorexia are often lost due to suicide and heart-related issues. When starving the body of its necessary nutrients to thrive, the heart is often unable to cope with the overwhelming stress that has been placed on it due to a compromised immune system.
Bulimia is another common eating disorder that causes patients to often binge on food following multiple episodes of ridding the food from their stomachs, with self-purging techniques. Bulimia is not only risky to the immune system and overall functions of the body, but it is also damaging to the oesophagus as well as the teeth, as the bile from excess vomit can easily begin eroding and causing cavities within the mouth.
Understanding the binge definition is the first step to knowing more about those who suffer from any binge-related condition. If you have ever felt “I can’t stop eating” or if you wonder “Why do I eat so much?”, you may have a binge eating disorder. Binge eating includes eating to excess and often consuming too many calories in one sitting, feeling full and “stuffed”. Binge eating is commonly triggered by emotional issues such as work-related stress, self-esteem-related stress, and even relationship stress.
Fast food addiction cases are growing increasingly popular due to the high amount of sugar and carbohydrates in most foods, triggering an addictive effect on individuals of all ages. When you are feeling sad, alone, depressed, angry, and even isolated, it is common to turn to food as an emotional comfort, even if you do not realize you are doing so consciously.
Signs of eating disorders vary with each individual, the severity of the disorder, the type of disorder and eating struggle they are dealing with personally, as well as how well they are capable of hiding their challenges. Noting a few of the most common eating disorder signs and symptoms can help you to determine if you or someone you know is dealing with an undiagnosed eating disorder that has the potential to ultimately become life-threatening in anyone.
Getting over-sensitive and upset or defensive is common in those who are known to suffer from a fear of weight gain or are very critical of themselves and their body image.
Either the avoidance or indulgence of speaking of food is also common in individuals who are struggling to overcome an eating disorder of any kind, whether it is binge eating, bulimia, or anorexia. Regardless of the type of eating disorder, any patient is dealing with, food is often viewed as an indulgence or as repulsive.
When you want to know how to stop overeating, it is not always as simple as lowering portion size and reducing caloric intake, especially for those who have suffered from serious food addictions for years or even most of their lives.
Opening up to close family members, friends, and those you trust can help to take a weight off of your shoulder if you are feeling upset, anxious, or angry about any eating disorder you are struggling with on your own. Building a support group with those you trust in your life is a way to stay strong when coping with an eating disorder and when you begin to research various solutions that are available near you, including both local and online resources.
The more support you have when working towards a happier and healthier life for yourself, the less likely you are to feel as if you are incapable of completing treatment programs or any therapy you have sought out for yourself or even for someone else in your life who is struggling. If you do not feel comfortable with talking to family and friends about any eating disorder you are struggling with, consider the option to do so online with online programs, communities, and outreach blogs. There are also anonymous programs for those who are suffering from everything from fast food addiction and binge eating to bulimia and anorexia.
Compare various local and online outlets, programs, and treatment facilities available when you want to reach out to others about any eating disorder you are struggling with on your own. Comparing various programs and treatment facilities is necessary for you to ensure you are in the right facility or network when regaining your strength and obtaining the help you need to get healthy. Reviewing various features, programs, and services from each type of local and online resource that is available near you is a way for you to feel the most comfortable whether you choose to enrol anonymously or if you are seeking long-term inpatient or outpatient programs that are suitable for you.
If you are seeking help and guidance but want to do so anonymously, consider food addicts anonymous, available in some locations locally as well as within online communities. Using a food addict in recovery anonymous group is a way for you to learn more about your addiction while also gaining valuable knowledge and tips to help regain control of your eating habits for a more positive lifestyle in the future.
The more you know and understand about various eating disorders, and how they affect the body, mind, and even relationships, the easier it is to help a loved one in your life or even yourself if you find yourself struggling to overcome one on your own. Putting both local and online resources to use is a way to get the relief necessary to overcome the issue of binging or struggling with another eating disorder such as bulimia or anorexia nervosa.
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