This isn’t my usual choice of blog post but I think it is of importance and something that should be discussed and highlighted.
Now we are more capable of talking about mental health conditions. You should have more conversations with your friends or family. You never know they could be suffering.
I think it is important to know what signs and symptoms to look for and how to help someone who may need it. Anorexia can affect anyone. Any person of any age and male or female. It’s a mental health condition and can be very serious.
1. You don’t have to be underweight to be suffering from Anorexia
This is something I have recently learned having spoken to medical professionals.
Despite popular opinion, you do not need to be underweight to be anorexic or have a form of anorexia known as atypical anorexia. Anorexia is more a state of mind and mental health condition that the physical condition although one leads to the other. So someone suffering with atypical anorexia may appear ‘normal’ weight for the age, size or sex and they may remain within that weight range.
Anorexia often leads to weight loss and low weight within individuals because of their need to limit their energy intake.
Getting the right amount of sleep can contribute hugely to good mental health. You can find my post about getting a good night’s sleep here
2. Anorexia Leads to a feeling of Control
Many people suffering from anorexia are often suffering from other mental health conditions too such as depression and anxiety. Depression and anxiety can lead to a feeling of being out of control of your life, your emotions, and responses to certain situations. But anorexia gives individuals the ability to feel in control of their food and their body weight.
There are multiple reasons which could lead to the development of anorexia, however the condition is not always associated with the food itself. It is mostly linked to the other underlying mental health conditions, which should be addressed to assess the cause of this behaviour.
3. Anorexia Can Lead to Many Other Physical Problems, Not Just Starvation
Most people believe that anorexia leads to starvation and that is the one and only major bodily effect; but this isn’t true. There are numerous physical problems which can evolve from this condition. Such as; loss of muscle strength, reduced bone strength, loss of periods which leads onto fertility problems, hair loss, dizziness, feeling lightheaded and dry skin. When it comes to having better skin and looking younger some people prefer a thread lifting procedure.
Some even more serious problems can develop too.
For children this can stop them starting their periods (in females) and can reduce their ability to grow and develop properly into adulthood. Meaning that child sufferers of anorexia are often smaller in height and build.
Heart problems such as reduced circulation, irregular heartbeat, heart disease, low blood pressure and even heart failure.
Problems with the brain and nervous system including seizures, loss of memory and concentration.
Kidney and bowel problems and having a weakened immune system and anemia.
4. Anorexia is not necessarily brought on by a need to achieve the ‘perfect body’
Yes, magazines and social media have developed this idea of the stereotypical ‘prefect body’. Unfortunately as most of us know it is almost impossible to achieve. However the development of anorexia is most likely encouraged by these images. Society can have a major influence on the development of this disorder. Whether it be from athletes and models or within your job such as ballet dancers and jockeys.
Anorexia is like most mental health conditions, and can arise from another family member having a mental health condition, disorder or even addiction currently or in the past.
Anorexia can develop from bullying or criticism about your eating habits, body shape or type leading to a lack of self-esteem and self worth.
Previous sexual abuse is a major factor. Many men and women who have in their history suffered from sexual abuse tend to be more likely to develop anorexia or another form of eating disorder.
5. Often Sufferers Don’t Even Know They’re Ill
Sometimes the seriousness of the emotional and physical effects are not recognised.
As with a lot of other eating disorders it is often associated with depression and anxiety, it can cause sufferers to withdraw from their family and friends, falling out with friends. They might not stay in touch as much or become secretive or cautious about how much information they divulge. It can cause an impact on their education or work, taking time off, suffering from a lack of concentration and motivation. Individuals might even develop bad relationships with colleagues and their work. Depression and anxiety can also lead to other serious issues including alcohol and drug misuse, self-harm and low self-esteem/body dysmorphia.
It can be difficult to notice when someone is suffering from depression, anxiety or eating disorders. But it is important to keep an eye on anyone you suspect may have these problems, because often they go to lengths to try and hide their emotions and are often in denial. Or worse, don’t even know they are ill themselves.
If you want to learn more about anorexia, eating disorders or mental health conditions, here are some useful links:
Mind
