http://www.mlive.com/health/index.ssf/2008...ften_young.html

"Anorexia's victims often young, female high achievers
by Jeff Barr | Kalamazoo Gazette
Sunday May 04, 2008, 4:00 AM
Those most at risk of developing anorexia nervosa might seem to be the least-likely candidates to develop a disorder associated with feelings of inadequacy, guilt or lack of control.

"Often they are the ones the rest of us would say are performing over and above expectations," says Dr. Vinay Reddy, director of the Eating Disorder Clinic at the Michigan State University Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies.

"These are the young people who get all A-pluses and freak out when they get an A because it will mess up their grade-point average. They set up such impossibly high standards for themselves that they can't possibly measure up to their own expectations."

These feelings of inadequacy -- no matter how unjustified -- lead to shame and to a feeling that they are losing control of their lives. This is when they turn to an area within their control -- the intake of food and the maintenance of weight.

Ninety percent of anorexia patients are female, according to Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders Inc. The disorder most often appears in bright, attractive young women between the ages of 12 and 25.

Signs of anorexia
These are some of the physical and psychological signs of anorexia, according to literature from Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders Inc., the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, and Dr. Vinay Reddy:

• Loss of muscle mass, leading to "broomstick" arms and legs.

• Disruption of menstrual cycle.

• Icy hands and feet.

• Excess hair on face, arms and body.

• Dizzy spells, fainting, bad dreams, mental fuzziness.

• Irregular heartbeat.

• Depression.

• A feeling of loss of control and helplessness to do anything about problems.

• Anxiety, self-doubt.

• Guilt, shame, feelings of failure.

• Obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviors.

How many have it?

• About two dozen Kalamazoo-area patients are currently being treated for anorexia. "

When I went to my dad's doctor. Since I'm petite & my weight is very light. He thought I had "anorexa." That made me cry, I didn't want to have it. But my weight is "normal" for me. I've been the same weight since I was 13. But it was a big IF though. Thankfully, I don't have it.

I feel bad for the young girls who have it. I've seen some of these girls in new reports. And they look great besides the anorexia. I don't know why they're worried about their weight or appearance. I don't understand why their so worried.

the fashion world and the media stereotype pressure ... disgusting.

Bah I have no pity for the dumb idiots. If your stupid enough to starve yourself to be a stick. Good then do our species a favor and hurry up. You need to eat to survive not the opposite.

I knew someone who had anorexia, but i think she overcame it, and is now fine...

Good for her ..

Yeah. Sometimes it's the magazines that these young girls are buying. And they want to be the like the women in them. As for me, I don't know about my weight or how I look.



Good for her! She's a great example too!

It's wether you feel good .. that really counts !

My youngest sister was hospitalized twice for Anorexia and almost died. Now, a year later she is better, and not only that, she joined the National Guard and is currently getting thru her first 2 months of bootcamp. All the other guys tell her they admire the way that she never gives up but keeps going. I'm really proud of her.
I hate this disease and what it does to people.



I hate to be ugly and mean, but if you don't have anything nice to say, just do humanity a favor and shut up. You must have no concept or clue of what these people go thru. I had to sit there and watch my sister fight for her life, because of this disease. So the next time you want to post a message like that, thinking that everyone wants to hear YOUR opinion, guess what...they really don't!



How awesome!

Hi MoonPrincess. You really think they look great, even though they're on TV for being anorexic? They're worried about their weight because it can cause their bodies to malfunction alarmingly and even cause death. I'm glad to hear you've been given the OK, but the fact you're saying you can't understand why people worry when they are anorexic, makes me worry. Thin is fine but the other side of it isn't.

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I think America's obssession with weight, is getting out of hand. Some women are naturally petite and small, while others have curves.
I mean, look what happened to Jennifer Love Hewitt. She wore a bikini and they had photos of her saying she looked bad!! I'm sorry, but I think she looks pretty good! I love what she said in response to it, though:

"To all girls with butts, boobs, hips and a waist," she wrote, "put on a bikini -- put it on and stay strong."

I mean they look "fine." They shouldn't be worrying about their weight at all! They shouldn't starve themselves to look like the women in the magazines at all. They should be worrying about what colleges they should be going to.

Just saying.

Thanks? The only reason why he said that. Because that was a completely new doctor. I haven't been to the doctor in years. And he didn't know me. I'm too old for the other doctor. XD He only treats little kids.

Sorry.

Yeah. Thin's okay. I'm thin.

>_<

You mean young girls should have more important things on their mind, good point.

That's OK, sorry if I read your post wrong.

Reg x

Anorexia Nervosa is considered a mental illness. It is the complete loss of appetite due to emotional trauma, whether that trauma being fearing your for appearance or not. Try to be more sympathetic.

Its really unhealthy to be anoresic. They should seek help and to remember that as long as their weight is healthy, its ok.