We live in a world where appearance is of great value. Skinny models, which go on the podium at the most prestigious fashion shows, form an idea of ​​what should be the ideal woman in the minds of millions of people. Since most people by nature do not meet this standard, they are trying to become more beautiful in many ways, and not always - healthy. Teas and diet pills, diet, intense exercise - can begin with this path is not only more attractive, but also to anorexia.

Anorexia nervosa - a disorder of eating behavior and, more importantly, mental disorder, which is reflected in increased attention to food and its own weight, as well as extremely severe restrictions in food. Anorexic very afraid of getting fat, and sometimes able to literally starve themselves. Most often this disease affects young girls - they are the most exposed to new media products. They are very much lose weight - often their weight by 15% below normal. But no matter how thin they may become, as it may feel unwell, even on the verge of death, they still consider themselves too fat and continue to follow their diet.

Symptoms

The strong reduction in weight - the most obvious symptoms of anorexia, which, however, becomes evident when the body is already close to exhaustion. In the early stages of anorexia can be identified by the fact that people began to eat less than usual, often refuses to eat on the grounds that he had just eaten or had a stomach ache. He can talk a lot about food, and about calorie diets, and even gladly. Generally, a favorite topic of conversation at the anorexic becomes food; as much as it takes his thoughts.

When the disease progresses, the anorexic is constantly experiencing weakness, it gets tired quickly, sometimes fainted. Dull, brittle hair, puffy face, sunken eyes, bluish color of the skin on the hands and feet (due to poor blood circulation) - is also common symptoms of anorexia. In women, due to exhaustion may stop menstruating. Anorexic constantly cold, because the body does not have enough energy to keep warm. Throughout the body there is a layer of fine hair - with their help the patient's body tries to keep warm. Then develop osteoporosis Osteoporosis - he threatens you? Violated the processes of digestion, might cause the heart and central nervous system.

Treatment

This is a difficult process that requires a large involvement of the patient and the desire to defeat the disease. Over 60% of patients starting treatment for anorexia, returning to a healthy lifestyle. Another 20% will recover almost completely, but to avoid a recurrence, they need to be screened regularly, and additional courses of therapy.

In the first stage of treatment reduced the physical health of the patient. Sometimes patients are hospitalized in very serious condition, and they need not only nutrition through an IV, and treatment of complications of anorexia are often very dangerous. When the patient's condition has stabilized, gradually accustom him to a normal diet, helping him to get back to a healthy weight.

Then begins a course of psychotherapy, in which the patient and the doctor together looking for the causes of the disease and ways to overcome it. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is typically used to help the patient to get rid of the distorted perception of their own body.

Sometimes patients prescribed antidepressants. They help to cope with anxiety Anxiety - how to distinguish normal from disease?   and some other issues, however, need to take them as far as possible for long.

Statistic

• Anorexia - the third of the most common chronic diseases in adolescents
• The average age at which today begin eating disorder - 11-13 years
• About 80% of women in the course of a plurality of poll say they want to lose weight
• 50% of girls aged between 13 and 15 years say that they are overweight
• 80% of thirteen girls had at least once sat on a diet or trying to lose weight in other ways
• 20% of people who suffer from anorexia and will not receive timely treatment, will die
• In anorexia among the highest mortality rate of mental disorders
• Only 1 out of 10 people with either other eating disorder receives appropriate treatment
• 1-5% of girls and young women suffering from anorexia

  People suffering from bulimia usually have a normal weight. Typical patients with bulimia often overeat and after eating cause vomiting. Often, they also take laxatives and / or diuretics. More often than not they carry out such procedures "cleaning" of the body only after bouts of overeating, but some patients do it, even after a little snack. There are patients with bulimia, which are very rarely overeat, but often cause vomiting and stomach purified in other ways. In this case, the patient's weight can quickly drop to dangerously low.

Blaming bulimia in a desire to lose weight - so greatly simplifies the problem. However, there is no doubt that the obsession with the appearance of your own body is the main cause widespread bulimia and anorexia in Western society. Many girls become habits, which then lead to bulimia as a teenager - that is at a critical period of development, when many people form attitudes and values ​​that have changed little over life.

Bulimia - the enemy of beauty

What begins as an innocent desire to reduce their weight, to increase the attractiveness of their own, can develop into a problem that people will fight all my life. Many people suffering from bulimia use food as a means of control, and specialists can help them to understand what exactly the problems lie the origins of bulimia.

For example, it happens that the patient really wants to control your life and / or in the life of a person who exercises control over it undesirable (often one of the parents). The patient feels that the food - the only thing he can control in their lives and become a kind of limited power output. However, after each cleansing the stomach person feels guilt, shame, and sometimes - loathing. Shame is a feeling of loss of control over the situation. To obtain it, it is necessary to control the only thing people can control, and again he eats and cleans the stomach. So it turns out the circle of dependence.

Of course, each person is unique and this description is just a generalization. The patient's life may be other problems that eventually led to bulimia - for example, sexual violence against them or bullying peers in school because of excess weight.

Patients with bulimia tend to hide their condition, and others may not notice anything for a long time. However, bulimia - it is a disease and it is important to recognize in time. There are several signs by which one can learn bulimia. If you suspect that your own people suffer from this disease a simple test to bulimia:

• Sores on the fingers (they come from the fact that people often puts them in her mouth to induce vomiting)
• Man always goes to the toilet soon after ingestion, and possibly spends a lot of time
• Tooth Decay
• Spasms in the joints (due to a lack of potassium)
• Weakness, fatigue, fainting,
• Weight reduction
• Regular overeating
• Slightly swollen cheeks (due to increased salivary glands)

Basic types

Bulimia can be divided into two types

• Cleansing bulimia. When this type of bulimia people regularly cause vomiting or using laxatives and diuretics when they feel the need to get rid of what is eaten.
• Not cleared bulimia, anorexia or second stage Anorexia nervosa - symptoms and effects on the body On which to prevent weight gain using other methods, for example, fasting or strenuous exercise Myths about exercise: do not believe .

Often, however, these types of overlap, that is, the patient can use laxatives, and intense exercise, to prevent weight gain.

The consequences of bulimia

As soon as the weight of bulimia is becoming smaller in women may be disturbed menstrual cycle Menstrual cycle and its characteristics ; sometimes monthly completely terminated. Slows down metabolism Improves metabolism and losing weight without dieting . As the body tries to find the nutrients that are all smaller amounts come from the meal is significantly reduced the appearance of skin, hair, nails and teeth. The greatest danger is the lack of potassium - a substance necessary for normal functioning of the heart. In extreme cases, patients require hospitalization.

If bulimia is not treated, it will be devastating consequences for human health.

Perhaps the most important and the most difficult thing to make a man to start a successful treatment - is to recognize that he is sick, and tell someone (preferably, of course, immediately consult a doctor). As practice shows, this step is very difficult given the many.

How to get rid of bulimia

Quick recovery is not expected. Wrong eating habits are formed over the years; often to get rid of them, it takes much time.

The illness is treated with the help of psychotherapy and antidepressants. It psychotherapy - the most important and long stage of treatment that helps patients understand their disease itself, and find a way out.

Antidepressants help relieve some symptoms, but they offer only temporary relief. The success of treatment depends on the patient's desire and perseverance, as well as on its ability to fearlessly look at their own weaknesses. Prepare to be that cure bulimia will not be easy, and in order to cope with bulimia, you will need not only all your willpower, but also the support of loved ones.