deviantART: by:dysmorphics

deviantART: by:dysmorphics http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:dysmorphics&section=today deviantART RSS for by:dysmorphics en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:43:52 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png Community Information http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/8398945/ http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/8398945/ Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:35:37 PDT Welcome to Dysmorphics Community

^{This is a community created to support the artists that suffer with eating disorders, like bulimia, anorexia, compulsive over-eating and the artists who have depressive behaviours like harming themselves, suicidal thoughts and sadness. Here you'll find information about eating disorders and depression, their symptoms, consequences, causes and some help in how to do deal with them.

I'm Sylvia and I was an anorexic, bulimic and depressive girl who's in treatment with doctors. I'm very selfish sometimes, 'cause I concentrate too much on own my problems and forget that there are people that need me. As a bulimic and depresseive girl, I decided to try to help all those who suffer like me, and have a kind of self hate and feeling of guilt for doing these self destructive things. I entered in my own world and forgot that there's a life out there, and it's not that easy to live! So, if can help anyway, even doing a club to help people, I'll do! I thank the precious ones that oppened my eyes (they know who they are) to my selfish moment and brought me back to the real world! There's a reality that I can't avoid, I need to fight!}

New Links:

Mental Health:
[link]
[link]

Anorexia:
[link]
[link]

How to Join

^{If you want to join the community as a member looking for help or a supporter of the club, just send us a note, put us in your watch and our icon in your journal. Anyone is welcome, and we're looking for those who suffer from eating disorders and those who desire to help, give support and random love.}

Information

Interview With Our Members

Main Information about the Ilnesses

The Statistics

The Community

http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/7095128/ Thu, 15 Dec 2005 19:46:04 PST

Self-injury: You are NOT the only one

more will be added soon... I'm researching good sites!

=selva-amarga

]]> ~dysmorphics Our Members http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/6543844/ http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/6543844/ Thu, 02 Feb 2006 18:06:30 PST

~dollsfall

1.) your age?
17 in three weeks.

2.) your type of body issue/illness?
(depression/ body image,cutting/self abuse, anorexia, bulemia, etc.)
past issues with the previously stated things.

3.) type of treatment you recieved/are recieving, if any?
God, writing,
taking photographs, ceramics, theatre....any art is a treatment..
nothing really expensive.

4.) suggestions on what has helped you, or you feel might be helpful in
treating your illness?
eating hot sauce when i felt like cutting....
hehe. that was aweful.

5.) has the media in any way shaped your illness? if so, how?
(books,movies, magazines, Barbie dolls, etc.) somewhat. don't we all envy
people who seem to have it all?

6.) why did you join dysmorphics?
it seems as though everyone really cares about each other.

7.) what do you hope to accomplish, if anything, within the group?

(connection with other sufferers, possible new treatments, help other
people through sharing experiences, etc.) connection, sharing love and
happiness, reshaping how we think about ourselves

8.) your country?
(for demographics purposes, to see if Americans have
more cases of illness as opposed to other countries.) the united states
of america

9.) sharing your opinions and your experiences; anything you would like
to add about body image or illnesses?
i mostly did all of what i did
for some sense of control over myself... if i was angry, i would just
cut myself.. if i felt out of control, i wouldn't eat.. when the world
came crashing down, i would starve.... when i binged, i would vomit...
endless need to be in control and not let God be in control... it was
like i was trying to take life into my own hands.... i still feel like
i should be in control sometimes and not let life just happen, ya know?

10.) what would you like more information about, relating to
dysmorphics, depression, and body image?
( suggestions will be taken
into account and further study done on those subjects that our members
feel we haven't sufficiently covered.)
^_^ can't think of
anything.............

~ ~dysmorphics News - Please, Read! http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/5456462/ http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/5456462/ Wed, 21 Dec 2005 11:50:19 PST

NEWS!!!

Well, dunno if you allready know, but we have a chat now: [link]
And I would like to ask you to post in your journals our chat!! That place seems dead, and I really would like you, members would visit, and talk with each other, and that things...
Can you help us?!?

=selva-amarga

Ok, this is a questionarie made by *BeautifulDeath one of our moderators. You dont need to awnser if you dont want to, you dont need to awnser all questions too, if you wanna awnser just some. We just wanna know you better!!

=selva-amarga

1.) your age?

2.) your type of body issue/illness? (depression/ body image, cutting/self abuse, anorexia, bulemia, etc.)

3.) type of treatment you recieved/are recieving, if any?

4.) suggestions on what has helped you, or you feel might be helpful in treating your illness?

5.) has the media in any way shaped your illness? if so, how? (books, movies, magazines, Barbie dolls, etc.)

6.) why did you join dysmorphics?

7.) what do you hope to accomplish, if anything, within the group? (connection with other sufferers, possible new treatments, help other people through sharing experiences, etc.)

8.) your country? (for demographics purposes, to see if Americans have more cases of illness as opposed to other countries.)

9.) sharing your opinions and your experiences; anything you would like to add about body image or illnesses?

10.) what would you like more information about, relating to dysmorphics, depression, and body image? ( suggestions will be taken into account and further study done on those subjects that our members feel we haven't sufficiently covered.)

]]> ~dysmorphics The Statistics http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/5456444/ http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/5456444/ Wed, 25 May 2005 10:42:11 PDT The Statistics:

How many people have eating disorders?

Anorexia nervosa
Research suggests that about one percent (1%) of female adolescents have anorexia. That means that about one out of every one hundred young women between ten and twenty are starving themselves, sometimes to death. There do not seem to be reliable figures for younger children and older adults, but such cases, while they do occur, are not common.

Bulimia nervosa
Research suggests that about four percent (4%), or four out of one hundred, college-aged women have bulimia. About 50% of people who have been anorexic develop bulimia or bulimic patterns. Because people with bulimia are secretive, it is difficult to know how many older people are affected. Bulimia is rare in children.

Males with eating disorders
Only about 10% of people with anorexia and bulimia are male. This gender difference may reflect our society's different expectations for men and women. Men are supposed to be strong and powerful. They feel ashamed of skinny bodies and want to be big and powerful. Women, on the other hand, are supposed to be tiny, waif-like, and thin. They diet to lose weight, making themselves vulnerable to binge eating. Some develop rigid and compulsive overcontrol. Dieting and the resulting hunger are two of the most powerful eating disorders triggers known.

What age groups are affected?
Anorexia and bulimia affect primarily people in their teens and twenties, but studies report both disorders in children as young as six and individuals as old as seventy-six.

Overweight and obesity
Studies suggest that about sixty percent of adult Americans, both male and female, are overweight. About one third (34%) are obese, meaning that they are 20% or more above normal, healthy weight. Many of these people have binge eating disorder.

In addition, about 31 percent of American teenage girls and 28 percent of boys are somewhat overweight. An additional 15 percent of American teen girls and nearly 14 percent of teen boys are obese. (Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, January 2004) Causes include fast food, snacks with high sugar and fat content, use of automobiles, increased time spent in front of TV sets and computers, and a generally more sedentary lifestyles than slimmer peers.

Binge eating disorder
A recent study reported in Drugs and Therapy Perspectives reports that about one percent of women in the United States have binge eating disorder, as do thirty percent of women who seek treatment to lose weight. In other studies, up to two percent, or one to two million adults in the U.S., have problems with binge eating.

Eating disorders and substance abuse
About 72% of alcoholic women younger than 30 also have eating disorders. (Health magazine, Jan/Feb 2002)

]]> ~dysmorphics CONTEST IS OVER! WINNERS SOON! http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/5456433/ http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/5456433/ Tue, 01 Aug 2006 09:01:55 PDT

I know that almost no one join our contests...
We tried to do 2, and the first had a lil entries, but the second I guess I saw none...
This is a different community, I know!
'Cause here is conceptual! However, I would love to have the people here joining the contests...
Maybe the arts you do can help yourselves and help us to see, to feel, to understand...
I really would like to see here submissions to this contest!
A poem, another kind of writing, a photography, a digital art, a traditional art...
And just to tell you how important everything here is to me, I'll join this contest! I'm in!

=selva-amarga

Contests

New Contest: "How do you see life?"
How do you see life? When you wake up, what thougths come to your head? How do you feel the most time of your days? What's the feeling that mostly reing you? Please, tell us!!

Maximum of 3 entries/person

The Contest starts in 07/01 and over in 08/01, in 08/07 the winners will be announced

You MUST be a member of the community to enter this contest! I accepted some people that werent member before i put this rule here, but i put their name in our journal, if they want to get out the community, they can, after the contest!

Prizes: For the moment:

1 place
- 3 month subscription from =coolweirdo
- A 8 x 10 print from *saiaii's print store

2 place:
- 3 month subscription from *LaColombeDeDeuil
- A 8 X 6 inch print from =MonicaWeasley's print store

3 place:
- 1 month subscription from *abstractlvr

To all winners:
- A main feature in our journal
- A main feature =OibyrdsDDs's journal
- A main feature in =selva-amarga's journal (sorry, i have no money now to give you something better)
-A main feature in =coolweirdo's journal
- A main feature in *saiaii's journal
-A main feature in =shadowed-angel's journal http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/5456416/ Wed, 25 May 2005 10:40:05 PDT

Anorexia Nervosa:
Anorexia nervosa is an illness that usually occurs in teenage girls, but it can also occur in teenage boys, and adult women and men. People with anorexia are obsessed with being thin. They lose a lot of weight and are terrified of gaining weight. They believe they are fat even though they are very thin. Anorexia isn't just a problem with food or weight. It's an attempt to use food and weight to deal with emotional problems. --xKia Lola (~ X-GloomCookie-X)

Please click Here for more information on anorexia

Bulimia Nervosa:
Coming soon

DANGERS!!!:
ALL eating disorders are dangerous

PLEASE read about the dangers of eating-disorders Here

Binge Eating Disorder:
People with binge eating disorder frequently eat large amounts of food while feeling a loss of control over their eating. This disorder is different from binge-purge syndrome (bulimia nervosa) because people with binge eating disorder usually do not regularly vomit, overexercise, or abuse laxatives like bulimics do. (=auralis)

Please click Here for more information on binge eating disorder

Compulsive Overeating:
coming soon

Over Exercise:
"How can there be such a thing as too much exercise?"
"How can exercise hurt me?"

Find out here

EDNOS "not specified":
A clinical category of disordered eating meant for those who suffer but do not meet all the diagnostic criteria for another specific disorder.

Read about EDNOS Here

Other Types:
~Pica
~Prader-Willi Syndrome
~Night Eating Syndrome
~Sleep Eating Disorder (SED-NOS)
~Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
~Orthorexia Nervosa
~Bigorexia

Click Here to read about them

Body Dysmorphic Disorder:
Coming soon

Depression:
Coming soon

<... ]]> ~dysmorphics Scientific Articles http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/5455969/ http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/5455969/ Sun, 17 Jul 2005 01:58:23 PDT Scientific Articles and Reviews

^{Links sent by our members}

Self-Injury, Abuse & Trauma Resource sent by =dualdesigns

^{Articles from the Sciencedirect.com domain:}

Eating disorders in adolescents

Eating disorders in the emergency department

Psychological aspects of eating disorders

Sleep in eating disorders

Social anxiety and agoraphobia in the eating disorders

The future of research on eating disorders

^{Articles from the Wiley.com domain:}

Causes and recovery in anorexia nervosa: The patient's perspective

^{Articles from the AnualReviews.org domain:}

Causes of eating disorders

Why do we eat?

http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/3981914/ Fri, 03 Dec 2004 17:43:53 PST

Coming soon

]]> ~dysmorphics Depression http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/3981913/ http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/3981913/ Fri, 03 Dec 2004 17:43:37 PST

Coming soon

]]> ~dysmorphics Body Dysmorphic Disorder http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/3981910/ http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/3981910/ Fri, 03 Dec 2004 17:43:23 PST

Coming soon

]]> ~dysmorphics Other Types http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/3981909/ http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/3981909/ Fri, 03 Dec 2004 17:43:07 PST

Pica

Pica, a widely misunderstood phenomenon, is defined as a compulsive craving for eating, chewing or licking non-food items or foods containing no nutrition. These can include such things as chalk, plaster, paint chips, baking soda, starch, glue, rust, ice, coffee grounds, and cigarette ashes. It may sometimes be linked to certain mineral deficiencies (i.e., iron or zinc). Pica can be associated with, developmental delays, mental deficiencies and/or a family history of the disorder. There may be psychological disturbances that lead to Pica as well, such as conditions in which a child lives in a low-income or poor family, or who lives in an environment of little love and support.

Because of the inherent danger in eating non-food items, it is extremely important that an individual suffering with Pica be evaluated by a doctor, given the correct diagnosis, and treated promptly. The treatment that will follow will depend on the causes of the behavior. If the compulsion is driven by a vitamin or mineral deficiency, supplements will be prescribed; Examination of the home environment, behavior-modification therapy and psychological treatment may also be needed.

Pica is fairly common in pregnant women and symptoms usually disappear following the birth of the child.

Complications of pica can include lead poisoning, malnutrition, abdominal problems, intestinal obstruction, hypokalemia, hyperkalemia, mercury poisoning, phosphorus intoxication, and dental injury.

* It may be possible (but uncommon) for people with Anorexia and/or Bulimia to develop Pica because of the compulsive nature of these illnesses to binge, and/or the malnutrition that can set in. If the two disorders co-exist, it is important to tell your doctor of both.

Prader-Willi Syndrome

Prader-Willi Syndrome is a congenital condition (present at birth) and is believed to be caused by an abnormality in the genes that occurs (though statistically it does not seem to run in families). Children born with Prader-Willi Syndrome may have early feeding difficulties that lead to tube feeding, and often have a degree of behavioral and/or mental problems (some severe).

The person with Prader-Willi Syndrome has an insatiable appetite. This can lead to obesity, stealing, and eating pet foods and items that are spoiled. This continuous appetite is caused by a defect in the hypothalamus -- a part of the brain that regulates hunger -- that causes the person to never actually feel full. There may be sleep disorders and abnormalities, boughts of rage, a higher threshold for pain, compulsive behaviors such as picking at the skin, and even psychoses.

Physical problems associated with Prader-Willi Syndrome can be delayed motor development, abnormal growth, speech impairments, stunted sexual development, poor muscle tone, dental problems, obesity and diabetes type II. The life expectancy of a person with Prader-Willi Syndrome may be normal if weight is controlled.

Prader-Willi Syndrome is a rare condition that puts a great deal of stress on the families involved. It is important to get the proper diagnosis early and to find medical and emotional support.

Night Eating Syndrome

Here's the Merck Manual definition and conclusion about treatment. (1982 ed.) p.917:

"Night Eating Syndrome consists of morning anorexia, evening hyperphagia (abnormally increased appetite for consumption of food frequently associated with injury to the hypothalamus) and insomnia. Attempts at weight reduction in these 2 conditions, (referring to bulimia as well), are usually unsuccessful and may cause the patient unnecessary distress."

The authors call both syndromes, "deviant eating patterns apparently based on stress and emotional disturbance..."

Episodes of Anorexia and Insomnia can begin at an early age, usually in children who are overweight, and are sometimes accompanied by joint paint. It is interesting to note what the parent of a now 24 year old daughter had to say...

"I've always had the feeling that much of the stress and emotional disturbances my daughter has suffered have been the result of social rejection and discrimination rather than the cause of her eating disorder ... more so as she got older. She started out as an intelligent, outgoing, cheerful human being. There is a line in our culture where a marginally acceptable "chubby" child becomes a miserable adolescent and then a depressed adult."

- - - - - - -

People with Night-eating syndrome are characterized as peopl... ]]> ~dysmorphics EDNOS "not specified" http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/3981907/ http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/3981907/ Fri, 03 Dec 2004 17:43:01 PST

Having an "Eating Disorder not Otherwise Specified" can mean a number of things... It can mean the individual suffers from Anorexia but still gets their period; It can mean they may still be an "average healthy weight" but be suffering Anorexia; It can mean the sufferer equally participates in some Anorexic as well as Bulimic behaviors (sometimes referred to as being Bulimirexic).

Just as it is important to remember that doctors can make mistakes, it is also important to keep in mind that it has only been until very recently (in the last 10 years) that awareness on the subject Eating Disorders has really begun to surface. People are frequently confused (including doctors) about the real differences between Anorexia and Bulimia (Anorexia essentially being self-starvation, and Bulimia being defined as going through binge and purge cycles - simply put), and often times know nothing at all about Binge-Eating Disorder.

For example, a doctor relies completely on his diagnostic manuals and reads the criteria to diagnose an individual as having Anorexia. He finds that his patient has regularly practiced self-starvation techniques, thinks of herself unrealistically as overweight, and seems to be hard on herself... BUT she still has her monthly period (the diagnostic criteria states that there must be loss of monthly menstrual cycles). He may technically diagnose the patient as having "An Eating Disorder not Otherwise Specified".

Another example would be that of a person suffering through binge and purge cycles once a week, who feels that they are overweight and who feels depressed. (The diagnostic criteria states that the sufferer must binge and purge, on average, at least twice a week.)

Practically speaking, in the first example the person suffers from Anorexia and the second suffers from Bulimia. Clinically speaking, according to the "text book" they would suffer from "An Eating Disorder not Otherwise Specified". In either case, both people are suffering with an Eating Disorder, both are in danger of potentially deadly physical complications, and both need to make a choice for recovery.

The most important thing to remember is that Eating Disorders, Anorexia, Bulimia, Compulsive Overeating, Binge-Eating Disorder, any combination of them, (or any that fall into the clinical category of EDNOS), are ALL psychological illnesses, none less or more serious than the next. They all have their physical dangers and complications, they all present themselves through an array of disordered eating patterns in one way or another, and they all stem from emotional turmoil such as a low self-esteem, a need to forget feelings and/or stress, a need to block pain, anger and/or people out, and most of all, a need to cope. The bottom line is that we are ALL suffering. If you find you suffer from any Eating Disorder then it's time to reach in to yourself.

Diagnostic Criteria
The following is considered the "text book" definition of an Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, to assist doctors in making a clinical diagnosis... it is in no way representative of what a sufferer feels or experiences in living with an Eating Disorder. It is important to note that this is a Clinical definition, and is in no way meant to say that any sufferer does not struggle, and that the condition is not serious. It is not meant to say you do not have Anorexia or Bulimia (or a combination of both sometimes known as Bulimirexia). This is a clinical category of disordered eating meant for those who suffer but do not meet all the diagnostic criteria for another specific disorder.

Examples Include:

1. All of the criteria for Anorexia Nervosa are met except the individual has regular menses.
2. All of the criteria for Anorexia Nervosa are met except that, despite substantial weight loss, the individual's current weight is in the normal range.
3. All of the criteria for Bulimia Nervosa are met except binges occur at a frequency of less than twice a week or for a duration of less than 3 months.
4. An individual of normal body weight who regularly engages in inappropriate compensatory behavior after eating small amounts of food (eg, self-induced vomiting after the consumption of two cookies).
5. An individual who repeatedly chews and spits out, but does not swallow, large amounts of food.
6. Binge eating disorder; recurrent episodes of binge eating in the absence of the regular use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors characteristic of bulimia nervosa.

]]> ~dysmorphics Over Exercise http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/3981906/ http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/3981906/ Fri, 03 Dec 2004 17:42:56 PST

With an Eating Disorder too much exercise, or Compulsive Exercising, is just another outlet of behavior; Compulsive Exercise is another way to "purge" and disordered eaters who suffer with these symptoms are typically considered to be suffering from Anorexia, or Bulimia non-purging type (no use of laxatives, diuretics or self-induced vomitting). But, there can be sufferers of both who use any or all means of disordered eating behaviors to cope with their emotions and anxiety (participating in restriction - with or without purging, or binging with purging, and compulsive exercise).

Those of us who may have symptoms of Compulsive Exercise usually have episodes of repeatedly exercising beyond the requirements of what is considered safe, will find time at any cost to do the exercise (including cutting school, taking off from work, hiding in the bathroom and exercising, etc.). The main goal of the exercise can be burning calories and "relieving the guilt" from just having eaten or binged, or to give us "permission" to eat. (i.e., "I can't eat unless I've exercised or know I will exercise.")

Those with Compulsive Exercise behaviors will feel tremendously guilty when they cannot exercise and almost never do it for fun. There is often no satisfaction for any athletic achievements and no self-satisfaction for victory (immediately looking for the next activity to conquer).

Like with all other disordered eating behaviors, on the surface the goal may seem to burn calories and lose weight, but ultimately the exercise gives each sufferer a sense of temporary power, control and/or self-respect. It is another way to forget about their unlying issues and to relieve guilt and pressure of the stresses that build. Some will continue to exercise with a feeling that it is a chore or a punishment, others will be addicted to the sense of power and self-respect they feel from the activity. The fact remains that this is addictive behavior, and is putting the individual's physical safety, emotional health and other areas of their life (job, school, family, etc.) in jeopardy because of the compulsive nature of the exercise.

Some of the physical dangers that may become an issue for someone exercising too much can be: dehydration, stress fracture and osteoporosis, degenerative arthritis, amenorrea (loss of menstrual cycle) and reproductive problems, and heart problems.

Often times the participation in athletics or dancing can play a role... because of the emphasis in which society, coaches and/or parents may place on the importance to remain thin to be successful in these activies. Due to pressures in competition, and the pressure they may be receiving to succeed and win, there is additional stress (combined with any family problems, relationship issues, pressure from peers, history of abuse, etc.) they find a need to cope with, the risk for developing an Eating Disorder may be increased. Sufferers may receive a great deal of praise from their coaches and parents in their ability to stay "fit and trim" and this continues to fuel the distructive behavior. Some will even use their status as an athlete or dancer as an excuse to engage in compulsive exercise (as well as other Eating Disorders behaviors).

Specifically there are some groups of athletes that tend to resort to disordered eating patterns and behaviors (extreme compulsive exercise, and/or use of laxatives and diuretics) explicitely for competition, though they may or may not clinically have an Eating Disorder (no psychological symptoms). Dancers, runners, gymnasts and wrestlers seem to be at an elevated risk of serious injury or death because of their desire to lose weight extrememly rapidly directly prior to an event. The question that needs to be asked is why certain athletes may find such a desire or feel pushed to "win" at all costs, even if that includes permanent injury or death.

For the non-athlete, it may be important to note that while facing recovery each sufferer may be at an increased risk of developing Compulsive Exercise behaviors. This is because while they are working on their issues of recovery, they may convince themselves that beginning to exercise equates to taking care of their body. Because they are still in the process of healing from and learning ways to cope with the issues that lead to their disorder, it can quickly lead to Compulsive Exercise as a "replacement" for restriction or purging, while the person struggling will convince themself they are doing their body good. Exercise should never be suggested by a doctor during initial stages of recovery, and any recommended exercise later on needs to be closely monitored (side note: T... ]]> ~dysmorphics Compulsive Overeating http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/3981905/ http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/3981905/ Fri, 03 Dec 2004 17:42:49 PST

Coming soon

]]> ~dysmorphics Binge Eating Disorder http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/3981903/ http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/3981903/ Fri, 03 Dec 2004 17:42:42 PST

Binge Eating Disorder
People with binge eating disorder frequently eat large amounts of food while feeling a loss of control over their eating. This disorder is different from binge-purge syndrome (bulimia nervosa) because people with binge eating disorder usually do not regularly vomit, overexercise, or abuse laxatives like bulimics do.

Most of us overeat from time to time, and many people feel they frequently eat more than they should. Eating large amounts of food, however, does not mean that a person has binge eating disorder. Doctors are still debating the best ways to determine if someone has binge eating disorder. But most people with serious binge eating problems have these characteristics:

Frequent and repeated episodes of binge eating (that is, eating amounts considered abnormally large)

Feeling out of control and unable to stop eating during binges

They may eat rapidly and secretely, or may snack and nibble all day long

They eat large amounts of food, even when not physically hungry

Feeling guilty and ashamed of binge eating

Has a history of diet failures

Tends to be depressed and obese

What causes it?
People with binge eating disorder may be genetically predisposed to weigh more than the cultural ideal (which at present is exceedingly unrealistic), so they diet, make themselves hungry, and then binge in response to that hunger. Or they may eat for emotional reasons: to comfort themselves, avoid threatening situations, and numb emotional pain. Up to half of all people with binge eating disorder have a history of depression. Whether depression is a cause or effect of binge eating disorder is unclear.

Regardless of the reason, diet programs are not the answer. In fact, diets almost always make matters worse.

Consequences
The major complications of binge eating disorder are the diseases that accompany obesity. These include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, gallbladder disease, heart disease, and certain types of cancer.

There are also the psychological consequences. Obese people with binge eating disorder often feel bad about themselves, are preoccupied with their appearance, and may avoid social gatherings. Most feel ashamed and try to hide their problem. Often they are so successful that close family members and friends don't know they binge eat.

]]> ~dysmorphics DANGERS!!! http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/3981901/ http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/3981901/ Fri, 03 Dec 2004 17:42:35 PST

ALL Eating Disorders are Dangerous

It is important to understand that even though a person may be suffering specifically with Anorexia, Bulimia or Compulsive Overeating, it is not uncommon for them to exhibit behaviors from each of the three. It is also not uncommon for one Eating Disorder to be swapped for another (Example: a person who is suffering with Anorexia switches to Bulimia; a persons suffering with Compulsive Overeating switches to Anorexia). This is why it is important to be aware of THE DANGERS BELOW, all of which are risks no matter what Eating Disorder you suffer with.

DO NOT FALL INTO THE TRAP OF THINKING "I ONLY DO THIS A FEW TIMES A MONTH SO I CAN'T BE AT RISK" OR "I DON'T DO THIS ALL THE TIME, I JUST GO THROUGH HEALTHY AND NON-HEALTHY CYCLES" -- THAT DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE NOT IN DANGER, NOR DOES IT MEAN YOU DO NOT SUFFER FROM AN EATING DISORDER

~~~

Malnutrition - caused by undereating or overeating. The word malnutrition indicates deficiency for energy, protein and micronutrients (e.g. vitamin A, iodine and iron) either singularly or in combination. It can cause severe health risks including (but not limited to) respiratory infections, kidney failure, blindness, heart attack and death.

Dehydration - caused by the depletion or lack of intake of fluids in the body, or by restriction of carbohydrates and fat. Restriction/Starvation, vomiting and laxative abuse are the primary causes in sufferers of Eating Disorders. Symptoms include dizziness, weakness, or darkening of urine. It can lead to kidney failure, heart failure, seizures, brain damage and death.

Electrolyte Imbalances - electrolyte are essential to the production of the body's "natural electicity" that ensures healthy teeth, joints and bones, nerve and muscle impulses, kidneys and heart, blood sugar levels and the delivery of oxygen to the cells.

Hyponatremia (related to "water-loading") - as stated above, electrolytes are essential to proper body functioning. Drinking too much water (more than eight, eight-ounce glasses in less than twelve hours), can cause Hyponatremia (not enough sodium in the blood), especially in someone already malnurished or dehydrated. Hyponatremia can cause fluid in the lungs, the brain to swell, nauseousness, vomiting, confusion and even death.

Refeeding Syndrome (related to treatment) - Starved or severely malnourished patients can undergo life-threatening fluid and electrolyte shifts following the initiation of agressive nutritional support therapies. This phenomenon is known as "refeeding syndrome" and can occur in patients receiving either enteral (tube feeding) or parenteral (intravenous feeding) nutritional support. To avoid the development of the refeeding syndrome, nutrition support in patients at risk should be increased slowly while assuring adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals. Organ function, fluid balance and serum electrolytes (especially phosphorus, potassium and magnesium) need to be monitored daily during the first week and less often thereafter.

Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies

Lanugo - (soft downy hair on face, back and arms). This is caused due to a protective mechanism built-in to the body to help keep a person warm during periods of starvation and malnutrition, and the hormonal imbalances that result.

Edema - swelling of the soft tissues as a result of excess water accumulation. It is most common in the legs and feet of Compulsive Overeaters and in the abdominal area of Anorexics and/or Bulimics (can be caused by Laxative and Diuretic use).

Muscle Atrophy - wasting away of muscle and decrease in muscle mass due to the body feeding off of itself.
Impaired Neuromuscular Function - due to vitamin and mineral deficiencies (specifically potassium), and malnutrition.

Paralysis - transient (or temporary) paralysis -- extreme weakness of muscles or not being able to move at all -- Caused by low levels of potassium, and/or the degeneration of nerve cells, in the spinal cord or in the brain, which have been deprived of essential nutrients. Left untreated, periods of paralysis may happen more frequently and more severly, lead to permanent muscle weakness, and even result in death.

Tearing of Esophagus - caused by self-induced vomiting
Mallory-Weiss tear - associate with vomiting, a tear of the gastroesophageal junction
Gastric Rupture - spontaneous stomach erosion, perforation or rupture.
Gastrointestinal Bleeding - bleeding into the digestive tract.

Esophageal Reflux - Acid Reflux Disorders - partially digested items in the stomach... ]]> ~dysmorphics Bulimia Nervosa http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/3981900/ http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/3981900/ Fri, 03 Dec 2004 17:42:29 PST

Coming Soon

]]> ~dysmorphics Anorexia Nervosa http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/3981898/ http://dysmorphics.deviantart.com/journal/3981898/ Fri, 03 Dec 2004 17:42:25 PST

Anorexia nervosa is a disorder characterized by deliberate weight loss.The disorder occurs most commonly in adolescent girls and young women, but adolescent boys and young men may be affected more rarely, as may children approaching puberty and older women up to the menopause.
Those who are suffering with this illness have a low self-esteem and often a tremendous need to control their surroundings and emotions. This Eating Disorder is a unique reaction to a variety of external and internal conflicts, such as stress, anxiety, unhappiness and feeling like life is out of control. Anorexia is a negative way to cope with these emotions.
The person suffering with Anorexia may be abnormally sensitive about being perceived as fat, or have a massive fear of becoming fat -- though not all people living with Anorexia have this fear. They may be afraid of losing control over the amount of food they eat, accompanied by the desire to control their emotions and reactions to their emotions. With a low self-esteem and need for acceptance they will turn to obsessive dieting and starvation as a way to control not only their weight, but their feelings and actions regarding the emotions attached. Some also feel that they do not deserve pleasure out of life, and will deprive themselves of situations offering pleasure (including eating).
It is important to point out that there can be a number of ways a person suffering from Anorexia can portray their disorder. The inherent trait of a person suffering Anorexia is to attempt to maintain strict control over food intake. In a number of cases a man or woman suffering will seem to eat normal meals with only periods of restriction. Anorexics are sometimes known to eat junk food, particularly candy, to drink a lot of coffee or tea, and/or to smoke. They may deny hunger, make excuses to avoid eating, will often hide food they claim to have eaten, use diet pills to control appetite, or attempt to purge the food away with self-induced vomiting, or by taking laxatives.

Signs and Symptoms:
Dramatic weight loss in a relatively short period of time.
Wearing big or baggy clothes or dressing in layers to hide body shape and/or weight loss.
Weighs 85% or less than what is expected for age and height.
Person refuses to maintain normal body weight for age and height.
Young girls do not begin to menstruate at the appropriate age.
In women, menstrual periods stop. In men levels of sex hormones fall.
Person denies the dangers of low weight.
Reports feeling fat even when very thin.
Obsession with calories and fat content of foods.
Obsession with continuous exercise.
Visible food restriction and self-starvation.
Use or hiding use of diet pills, laxatives, ipecac syrup (can cause immediate death!) or enemas.
Isolation. Fear of eating around and with others.
Unusual Food rituals such as shifting the food around on the plate to look eaten; cutting food into tiny pieces; making sure the fork avoids contact with the lips (using teeth to scrap food off the fork or spoon); chewing food and spitting it out, but not swallowing; dropping food into napkin on lap to later throw away.
Hiding food in strange places (closets, cabinets, suitcases, under the bed) to avoid eating.
Flushing uneaten food down the toilet (can cause sewage problems).
Vague or secretive eating patterns.
Keeping a "food diary" or lists that consists of food and/or behaviors (ie., purging, restricting, calories consumed, exercise, etc.)
Pre-occupied thoughts of food, weight and cooking.
Visiting websites that promote unhealthy ways to lose weight.
Reading books about weight loss and eating disorders.
Self-defeating statements after food consumption.
Hair loss. Pale or "grey" appearance to the skin.
Dizziness and headaches.
Low self-esteem. Feeling worthless. Often putting themself down and complaining of being "too stupid" or "too fat" and saying they don't matter. Need for acceptance and approval from others.
Complaints of often feeling cold.
Low blood pressure.
Constipation or incontinence.
Perfectionistic personality.
Loss of sexual desire or promiscuous relations.
Mood swings, Depression, Fatigue.
Insomnia, Poor sleeping habits.

What causes it?
Anorexia is more than just a problem with food. It's a way of using food or starving oneself to feel more in control of her life and to ease tension, anger, and anxiety. While there is no single known cause of anorexia, several things may contribute to the development of the disorder:

Biology: Several biol... ]]> ~dysmorphics