Dying for Control

Anorexia is a disease of self-induced food deprivation from which one out of ten patients dies; either from starvation, suicide or other health related issues triggered by the disorder. Throughout history there have been numerous reasons for starving oneself including religion, making a spectacle, as with hunger strikes and the medical disorder.

The Latin term anorexia nervosa tends to be misleading; it implies there is a lack of appetite due to some nervous origin. In fact, it is a deliberate suppression of the appetite in order to lose weight or prevent gaining weight. The anorexic patient has an intense fear of being "fat" even when emaciated.

The anorexic patient may abuse diet pills to help suppress the appetite. These pills may contain ephedrine, an unregulated Chinese herb which has been linked directly to many deaths from heart attacks, seizures and strokes. The FDA warns these products should never be used in excessive amounts or for longer then one week. Excessive exercising, purging and laxative abuse are also common methods to burn calories or prevent food absorption in order to avoid gaining weight.

Currently, there are many theories as to what causes this deadly eating disorder. There is a psychodynamic theory stating the anorexic patient is afraid of maturation and the bodily developments coming with it. Emaciating the body may be a way to try to remain physically and mentally childlike and lead an asexual life.

The learning theory states an anorexic individual may learn to embrace a weight phobia because of past rewards for losing weight. When the anorexic loses weight, obesity is avoided and as a result he or she may concurrently receive a lot of attention; particularly from the parents. This theory is linked to the systems theory, which states anorexia may be a symptom of dysfunctional family interactions.

Other theories suggest the causes of anorexia are biological. These theories contradict the popular belief which implies anorexics are trying to obtain the unrealistic, ideal body image our society and media have created. "In America there is a false conception of the female form that is repeated over and over in thousands of ways. Millions of people go from these false conceptions to a struggle with eating disorders, which can be extremely dangerous, cause unbelievable suffering for their families and, in the worst case scenarios, result in death," says Vivian Hanson Meehan founder of the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD).

Under the biological heading there are many sub-theories, such as the genetic factor, which may predispose a person to anorexia; abnormal hormone and neurotransmitters levels including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Some people even believe the anorexic may be addicted to fasting because of the chemical changes in the body brought on by starvation.

ANAD believes we shouldn't say anything absolute about eating disorders until more studies have been completed. Currently, there is some documentation about these and other theories but nothing has been proven.

Many anorexic's believe they would be happier, more successful and be liked by more people if they were thin. But as the disease progresses they find themselves so obsessed over food; friends and success seem less and less important. The only success that holds true to them is the success of weight loss. Their functioning ability is greatly affected and they may sink into a deep depression which is common among anorexics.

In addition to depression, there are many repercussions caused from eating disorders. Some of the repercussions include shame, guilt, mood swings, low self-esteem, withdrawal, perfectionism and negative thought patterns.

"No one can control how much a person eats or how her body appears, except herself. What a powerful drug that is: when all available time is spent counting calories and analyzing one's body, little time is left for dealing with life's challenges," says Meehan.

If not treated, irreversible damage may be inflicted on the body; irregular heartbeat, kidney and liver damage, tooth decay caused by a saliva deficiency, infertility, bone loss which will result in fractures and lifelong problems and most unremitting death.

ANAD says an anorexic may go through cycles that overlap with bulimia and therefore should be recognized as the same illness. Nanci Klein P.H.D., Director of professional Affairs for the Utah Psychological Association says "anorexics restrict what they eat, but when they do eat, they may purge whatever they eat."

Currently in the United States there are eight million people suffering from this curable disease. It knows no economic, gender or racial barriers and has reached epidemic numbers in America. For additional information on eating disorders or for help call the ANAD hotline at 847-831-3438.