How many of us, are familiar with Ana & Mia? In other words, with Anorexia and Bulimia? Did you know that 42% of 1st-3rd graders, want to look thinner? These kind of disorders are as you can say, more common in women. But, according to the website, www.anad.org an estimated 10-15% of people with anorexia or bulimia, are male. Anorexia nervosa. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.anad.org/get-information/get-informationanorexia-nervosa/
So, what exactly is Anorexia and Bulimia?
Anorexia nervosa is characterized by emaciation, a relentless pursuit of thinness and unwillingness to maintain a normal, or healthy weight. Many people with anorexia, see themselves as overweight. Anorexia nervosa. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.anad.org/get-information/get-informationanorexia-nervosa/
What are the signs that you, or someone you know, might be going through Anorexia nervosa? Here are 10!Anorexia nervosa. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.anad.org/get-information/get-informationanorexia-nervosa/
• Deliberate self-starvation with weight loss
• Intense, persistent fear of gaining weight
• Refusal to eat or highly restrictive eating
• Continuous dieting
• Excessive facial/body hair because of inadequate protein in the diet
• Compulsive exercise
• Abnormal weight loss
• Sensitivity to cold
• Absent or irregular menstruation
• Hair lossAnorexia nervosa. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.anad.org/get-information/get-informationanorexia-nervosa/
Now, what is the difference between Anorexia and Bulimia?
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent and frequent episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food (e.g., binge-eating), and feeling a lack of control over the eating. This binge-eating is followed by a type of behavior that compensates for the binge, such as purging (e.g., vomiting, excessive use of laxatives or diuretics), fasting and/or excessive exercise.
Unlike anorexia, people with bulimia can fall within the normal range for their age and weight. Bulimia nervosa. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.anad.org/get-information/get-informationanorexia-nervosa/
Here it goes. Bulimia nervosa. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.anad.org/get-information/get-informationanorexia-nervosa/
Preoccupation with food
Binge eating, usually in secret
Vomiting after bingeing
Abuse of laxatives, diuretics, diet pills
Denial of hunger or drugs to induce vomiting
Compulsive exercise
Swollen salivary glands
Broken blood vessels in the eyes Bulimia nervosa. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.anad.org/get-information/get-informationanorexia-nervosa/
Can Anorexia/Bulimia kill you?
Yes! It can!
Although eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental disorder, the mortality rates reported on those who suffer from eating disorders can vary considerably between studies and sources. Part of the reason why there is a large variance in the reported number of deaths caused by eating disorders is because those who suffer from an eating disorder may ultimately die of heart failure, organ failure, malnutrition or suicide. Often, the medical complications of death are reported instead of the eating disorder that compromised a person’s health. Eating disorder statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.anad.org/get-information/get-informationanorexia-nervosa/
How can you reach for HELP?
If you think you, or someone is battling with these eating disorders, it's ok to scream for help. Talk to someone, either a relative or a friend. You can also get help, by calling the ANAD helpline, at (630) 577-1330 Eating disorder statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.anad.org/get-information/get-informationanorexia-nervosa/
So, I bet you're wondering why I chose this topic and why at the beginning of this blog, I mentioned the word Princess.
Well, at the age of 16, I went through Bulimia.
I had always been a really thin girl, most of my childhood and the beginning of my teenage years. But, I had gone to Mexico to visit my grandma. and you know that when you're there, all you can do is eat! Not only that, but your body starts to change. When I came back from my trip, I had gained a few pounds and my body looked different. Ever since I was a little girl, I loved to sing, dance, and talk. So, my parents decided to enroll me to a performing arts school. A school where you were taught how to sing, model, act, and good manners.
I remember my first day at that school, we had a visit from a guy looking for models for a fashion show. And I mean, you see me, and I am 0 model material! He asked me for my name, height and weight. He looked at me, and said, "You're too fat for your age and height" At that moment, I felt like my world came crushing down. That day, my parents had friends over and had cooked Carne Asada. I came home, and didn't eat at all.
http://www.tvkinc.com/2012/05/11/el-lado-oscuro-de-la-comida-2/ (El Lado obscuro de la comida) Interview done to me, by Univision in 2012.
My weight became an obsession for me! I would look at myself in the mirror all the time, check my stomach, work out a lot, check what I was eating, to the point that I started looking up online tips on how to be the perfect Anorexic/Bulimic. I wanted to be a Princess, have everyone like me because I was thin and beautiful. There were moments I would get really hungry, and over eat! Feel guilty and run to the bathroom to get rid of it. I would even have nightmares that I would over eat, and wake up scared of food. At the age of 17, my parents realized I had a problem, and had me visit a therapist. That's where I was diagnosed with Bulimia Nervosa.
Road to Recovery
After being diagnosed with Bulimia Nervosa, I was taught how to eat without having panic attacks. It's like when you're a baby, and you're being taught by your parents how to eat. I had to write on this journal every single meal I would have during the day, including snacks. Until I was comfortable on doing it on my own. At the age of 21, I guess you can say I was "fully" recovered. I mean, I would still hear that voice in my head once in a while that would tell me I was fat and ugly. But I would also try to ignore it, and move on with my life. But, it wasn't until last year, that I actually hit recovery. All thanks to God! It was May of last year, at a youth retreat, that God spoke to me through one of the preachers.
Talking about how God created us, and how we are suppose to accept ourselves just how we are. That's where it actually hit me! Ever since that day, the voices went away, and I started loving myself just the way I am. God has done amazing wonders in my life. And if it wasn't for Him, I would probably still be living the hell I was living with Bulimia. And the best part of it, I actually became a Princess! A Princess of the Lord, who has me at his service. Now, I don't really care if people like me or not, because I know God loves me, and created this Beautiful Princess.
No comments:
Post a Comment