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Show Serious addiction One woman's j By Heather Stallings - - Signpost copy editor Jennifer Smith, 21, cannot go through a day without worrying about what she will and will not ' eat, how many times she will binge jk -and purge, if she has gained ! weight or if she can go work out or I not. Everyday is a struggle for Smith, because she has been bulimarexic since she was 1 8 years old. i "At first, I would binge and purge once a month, then it became once a week and now I do it around 3 to4 times a day. I started, because I didn't think I was thin w enough and I found out I could i eat whatever I wanted and then throw it up. I also felt like I had lost control over my life and this was a way for me to gain it back, Eating D By Laurie Albrechtsen Signpost features editor With the recent death of Christy Henrich, 22, former gymnast, there is a renewed focus on the issues surrounding eating disorders. Henrich died from multiple-organ failure stemming from anorexia nervosa. "Time" magazine describes her in 1988 Henrich missed immortality by 0.118 points the all but immeasurable gap between the young gymnast's performance and the berth on the 1988 US. Olympic team. "Henrich, who started training at age four, was a competitor so obsessive that she was nicknamed E.T. for Extra Tough. She suffered from a secret obsession as well: the compulsive conviction thatshe was always too fat. "Henrich's anorexia grew so severe thatby 1991 she was too weak to compete. At her death, she weighed 60 lbs." The story of the gymnast is not a rare one for many people. Of those suffering from eating disorders, about 90 percent are females between the ages of 12 and 29 years old, but an eating disorder can occur at any age. Local professionals are in agreement that everyone knows someone with an eating disorder, but may not be aware the person has it. In the life span of a woman, it is estimated that as many as 80 per personal account of her three-year but now the bulimarexia had total control over me," Smith said. According to Lance Alkire, who is part of the Triage and Assessment group at McKay-Dee Psych Resources, one out of five women, between the ages of 12 and 1 8, will develop an eating disorder. "Bulimarexia is a fairly new eating disorder. It is usually started when an anorexic starves herself and becomes so hungry she eats and eats, and then feeling guilty she throws it up. Bulimarexia is becoming more popular and those that have it usually come from chaotic and highly emotional families," Alkire said. Media, environment, family life and especially a lowself-concept contribute to eating disor "Eating disorders start with low isorders: 10 to 15 percent cent of all women will have at least one bout with some type of disorder. It could take the form of anorexia, bulimia, starving, fasting, excessive dieting, excessive exercise, laxative use and use of diuretics. The editors of "Shape" magazine are quick to point out the models on the cover of the magazine are there because of great genes. There should not be the misconception that anyone can look like them if they exercise enough. Some people simply cannot. Many young women look to their favorite models, stars and musicians asbeingthe perfection, and try to emulate that through anorexia or bulimia. Paula Abul recently came forward with revelation of her battle withbulimia.KarenCar-penterdied in 1983 of a cardiac arrest brought on by anorexia nervosa. Up to half of all adolescent girls are engaging in some form of distorted eating-crash dieting, fasting, binge eating and vomiting. Experts are now urging that young people with anorexia or bulimia be treated differently from adults. Sweeping new guidelines published in the Journal of Adolescent Health say it is vital that young people with eating disorders get medical as well as the traditional psychological care because of possible irreversible damage to their reproductive systems, bones and growth. self-esteem, but there are other contributing factors. A lot of times a person is angry at their life, because they feel like they have lost control. They wan t to change their life by gaining back the control and they usually do this by having control over what they eat," Alkire said. "I think media is the biggest reason women start to have a complex about having to be thin. You hardly ever see an overweight actress on TV, and you always see the waif models in magazines. I think subconsciously, women think they will be more accepted if they are thin, I know I did. I've always been thin, but I thought if I was thinner the boys would like me more and my mom would love me more," a former anorexic said. Families neither cause nor cure, Eating disorders can be solved if treatment is gotten in time. Often by the time an individual is diagnosed and treated for anorexia, about 10 percent to 15 percent of individuals die. Most of the fatalities have lost at least half of their normal body weight. What are the symptoms of anorexia? A refusal to eat Large weight loss A bizarre preoccupation with food Hyperactivity A distorted body image Cessation of menstruation Usually considered a model child Low self-esteem Need for parental approval Eating disorders are the third most common chronic illness among adolescents behind obesity and asthma. Anorexia is a disorder in which a person has fear of fat and a distorted body image, which leads to abnormal or restrictive eating patterns leading to weight loss and malnutrition.Bulimia is a severe concern with body size and shape that causes the person to purge to lose weight and is then accompanied by bingeing. Often the use of diuretics and laxatives are used causing a reduction of body fluids and battle with but they can contribute to eating disorders. Families that are too enmeshed in theirchildren's lives, so that individuality is not encouraged, over protective families, families that have rigid unrealistic rules, and families that avoid conflict, producing little opportunity for family members to become skilled in resolving problems are all major characteristics of families with eating disorders."We tend to see a lot of patients with eating disorders come from families that are typically middle to upper-middle class, very mobile, and a high value is placed in performance and success," Alkire said. Most people with eating disorders are perfectionists, especially with themselves. minerals causing muscle spasms, hair loss, damage to teeth and malnutrition. Where is help for eating disorders?Help and referrals can be given through family physicians or therapists. If further help is needed, several organizations are available to help. Anorexia Nervosa and Related Disorders -503-344-1144 National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Related Disorders - 708-831-3438 Who is at risk for Teen-age girls are most at risk for developing eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Both boys and girls can be at risk for compulsive overeating and obesity. To be more specific, who are the teens most at risk for eating disorders? First, perfectionistic teens are at high risk for anorexia nervosa and bulimia. These girls are usually excellent students, well- behaved, and intent on doing everything just right (even when it comes to the elusive idea of self perfection).Second, girls raised by au bulimarexia According to Alkire, striving for perfection in an imperfect world is a dangerous path for young adults. Smith has been to four different theraoists for her bulimarexia, and now she goes to an eating disorder specialist around three to four times a week. "This new specialist has really helped me to realize what a serious problem I have. I started out, because I wanted to be thin and now it's a way of coping with things. It's my stress reliever. Bulimarexia is taking over my life and I want to stop, I need to stop, because if I don't, either the bulimarexia will kill me or I'll kill myself," Smith said. Editor's note: To reserve privacy of this indicidual , her name has been changed. will die American Anorexia and Bulimia Association -212-891-8686 National Association of Fat Acceptance - 916-443-0303 National Association to Aid Fat Americans - 516-352-3120 American Mental Health Fund - 1-800-433-5959 or1-800-826-2336 American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry-202-966-7300 Overeaters Anonymous -213-542-8363 eating disorders? thoritarian parents or who feel compelled to please their parents are at risk. They may unconsciously seek control of their weight and body shape as their only means of independent choice. Third, teens understress with an alcohol or drug abusing parent are at risk. Finally, teens who have low self-esteem and who are depressed may develop ea ting d isorders. They may be especially sensitive to criticism or suggestions that they might be overweight whether or not these perceptions are accurate. Source: Kathleen McCoy, Th.D. |