Any substance that is taken in excess, regardless of its harmful potential, is considered abuse. An addiction is then defined as the abusive behavior of those who are physically or psychologically dependent upon a substance; food can be that substance. In the same way as a drug or alcohol addiction, people eventually become dependent upon food. There is such a thing as food addiction and it is a serious issue.
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Bulimia is best known as a disorder characterized by recurrent binge eating and purging. It rooted in complex emotional struggles, and those suffering from bulimia may be with dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder or any other issues that lead to self-destructive behavior. Bulimics suffer not only from physical health risks, but they also have difficult psychological issues that need to be resolved. In professional care and treatment for bulimia, both the physical and psychological issues of the disease are addressed through medical treatment and therapy.
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Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder and a disease that, if left untreated, slowly destroys the human body. Apart from physical damage and health risks, anorexia is also a psychological struggle; anorexics suffer from severely distorted self-perception. Despite being dangerously underweight, those suffering from anorexia believe themselves to be grossly overweight and continue to diet, fast, and purge in order to lose as much weight as possible. Anorexics may limit their portions until they face death from starvation, or they may exercise excessively, purge, and abuse laxatives. They often believe that thinness is the equivalent of happiness and thus strive to be thin no matter the cost.
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Eating disorders are real psychological illnesses in which self-deprecating eating patterns cause emotional and physical damage to an individual. There are two major recognized eating disorders:
1. Anorexia Nervosa – Anorexia is an extremely dangerous eating disorder in which a person deprives his or her self of food, sometimes to the point of starvation. This refusal to eat is based on a self-perceived image of being overweight, even when that person becomes emaciated. (more…)
The biggest misconception about eating disorders is that they’re all about food. They may start with a preoccupation with weight or food, but there’s far more at work below the surface. Like so many types of addictions, it’s hard for those on the sidelines to understand why the person who is doing the self-damaging behavior can’t just stop when they see the harm they are causing. But eating disorders are complex conditions related to any combination of emotional, social or family issues. Often, they’re an attempt to compensate for or manage feelings and emotions that may otherwise seem over-whelming.
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