What is an Eating Disorder

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The term eating disorder is a broad label for a number of problems we face with food in our society. While many of us slip into overeating or comfort eating, for some the problem goes to life-threatening extremes.

In both anorexia nervosa and bulimia, there is a deep fear of being overweight that leads to an obsession about restricting the number of calories the person is taking in. This leads to an extreme state of starvation, which in turn has a number of effects on the body’s functions and hormone production.

More complicated in bulimia, the person still finds comfort in the feeling of being full, but dreads taking on the extra calories. This is when they may self-induce vomiting, causing long-term issues for the throat and teeth, as well as psychological problems.

Behaviour common in those affected by eating disorders includes:

  • ·         Mentally keeping a balance between calories taken in and calories used up
  • ·         Deep-seated feelings of anxiety if they consume a few calories too many
  • ·         Self-loathing, depression or panic if they haven’t lost any weight or put a little on, despite their best efforts

Many anorexics and bulimics have researched the issue of diet quite deeply and know the damage they are doing to themselves but are still unable to stop, making the feelings of despair and self-loathing even worse, which in turn causes their condition to continue.


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The Have I Got A Problem website is a free online resource to help people better understand any issues or concerns they may have about mental health or addiction. The website includes resources specifically focused to; general Mental Health, Depression, Stress, Anxiety, Insecurities, Self-harm Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Anger Management, Eating Disorders, Coping, general Addiction, Alcohol, Smoking, Gambling, Drugs, Cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana (Cannabis) Ecstasy, PCP, Mephedrone, Ketamine & Crystal Meth.

The site was created to give the public information to help them understand mental health and addiction issues and to assist people in making better informed decisions about their life and personal choices.

www.haveigotaproblem.com was created and is run by 'Advising Communities’, which is a UK registered charity (Charity No. 1061055)

Quotes

"My eating disorder took over for about eight months until I got therapy, which helped immensely, but also made me realize I was pursuing a dream and career that I didn't really want at all, which was really at the root of my obsession with food and weight"

Anonymous

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