Well...not really.

[•Quartz_Crystal•]

Sorry to everyone who reads this and expects something interesting or exciting. I just want to comment on something I read in another thread.

CelestialBody was saying that 'eating disorders' result from poor self esteem.

Not so. And I would be one to know.

Poor self esteem results from eating disorders.

Anorexia nervosa and bulima are being recognized more and more as actual PHYSICAL disorders, as opposed to just mental disorders.

And In my personal experience, it had very little to do with body image, it had ALOT to do with guilt, control, punishment/reward and wanting to KILL something that's inside of you.

Just had to get that off my chest because I'm tired of people viewing 'anorexics' as girls who flipped through a vouge and wanted to be like that.

Because that's not always the case.

 

[Jade]

Quartz,

I understand your point, but would like to add if I may. I don't think Celestial meant it that way.

I agree with both of you.
As someone who has dealt with eating disorders (partly for myself and hugely with multiple friends.. both anorexia AND bulimia), I can assert that their need to seek perfection (as you pointed out) was VERY influential in trying to make thier bodies "fit the mold," so to speak... why? B/c they did NOT feel their bodies were... b/c they had a LOW self esteem.

NOw granted, once the cycle begins and they realize that they can never achieve the level of "beauty" they seek, the self esteem plummets, and they become frusturated.

I know that for me, all I was trying to do was reach my ideal weight... well, I got there and the high school nurse called my parents at home!!! You see, I have a medium to large bone frame, despite being 5'4", so most people my height are petite... I just don't think I am... I have brouder shoulders and wider hips (see pic here on lit and you will know what I mean). So for me, striving to perfection was being my ideal weight (yes, OR below would have been fine)... so it's all relative really isn't it?

Anyway, that phone call really freaked my mother out, b/c she had already noticed how skinny I seemed to be.
OF course, to me I thought I was still fat, ... funny b/c now I look back at those pics and GOSH my head looked so HUGE on my body! (lol)
So, just wanted to clarify...

If you need to talk... give me an email: jada1977@hotmail.com

xoxo

 

[Weird Harold]

Poor self esteem results from eating disorders.

Anorexia nervosa and bulima are being recognized more and more as actual PHYSICAL disorders, as opposed to just mental disorders.

I think you'll find that, as Jade pointed out, low self esteem and eating disorders each reinforce the other to build a stronger and more difficult problem to solve.

Anorexia and Bulemia are not the only eating disorders either. Throughout my marriage, I dealt with the flip side of those problems. My ex-wife eats when she's nervous, eats when she is bored, eats when she's ... Well she just eats to solve all of her problems.

She occasionally feels guilty about her weight, and tries some new "wonder diet" for a day or two.

Whether it's anorexia or gluttony, the problem is more often in the head than it is in the genes. I don't mean that there isn't often some physical reason such as a chemical imbalance at the root of the mental problems, but the problem is in the way such imbalances make a person think about themselves.

 

[Gingersnap]

We have had this discussion before and if it is all in the "head" you are dismissing a lot of research. Eating disorders are complicated and there is not one reason for them rather a combination. Some are actually physiological.

Obesity is a disease as is alcoholism and other addictions. There is always an element of choice involved but I am dismayed by the judgemental tone of this strand. Whatever the addiction people are suffering and they deserve more then contempt.

Few families can really deal with an addiction of any type without help. If someone you love or care about is obese or suffering from other eating disorders refer them to a professional and pray for them. I have a dear friend Marissa who went to a wonderful group for help and was able to lose over 175 lbs and change her life. She did that over five years ago and I am inspired by her courage and love of life.
Not only that but I got a running partner out the deal...LOL

 

[Weird Harold]

We have had this discussion before and if it is all in the "head" you are dismissing a lot of research. Eating disorders are complicated and there is not one reason for them rather a combination. Some are actually physiological.

I'm not dismissing the research that eating disorders can be physiological in nature. I didn't state what I meant clearly I guess.

Whether an eating disorder is physiological or not, it's not a problem until the denial and other psychological factors enter the picture. My ex is predisposed by her gentetics to be heavier than is considered attractive in our society. Combined with a lack of confidence and peer pressure (read ricicule by stupid kids,) she turned to food as a security blanket.

That's one case, and it is unique just as every other case of eating disorders is unique.

Obesity is a disease as is alcoholism and other addictions. There is always an element of choice involved but I am dismayed by the judgemental tone of this strand. Whatever the addiction people are suffering and they deserve more then contempt.

I don't see anything particularly judgemental in the thread so far. At least not directed at those with eating disorders.

I would quibble just a bit with your classification of obesity as a disease. Almost any addiction is one of a group of diseases, just as the common cold is actually a class of viruses that cause similar symptoms.

Obesity is a symptom, more than it is a disease, just as the binge and purge behavior called bulemia is a symptom of some physical or mental problem. The conditions that cause any particualr person to suffer frome either symptom are a unique mix of physical and mental factors.

In the end, it is the psychological aspects that must be addressed first, because without a will to change the physical factors, nothing gets changed.

 

[Gingersnap]

We will just have to disagree on this one Weird Harold. I love arguing with you. If I go to Disney Land will you have your picture taken with me? BTW I like the one with Snow White the best.

 

[•Quartz_Crystal•]

This is exactly what ruffles my feathers about the whole ordeal.

"Only in your head." Not that simple I fear.

Anorexia and other eating disorders stem from mental problems about as much as cancer or diabetes do.

The cases that stem from wanting to be a different size then you are born to be are simply more discussed then the other, darker, scarier disease that no one can seem to pin an answer to.

The FIRST DOCUMENTED case of anorexia nervosa was way way back in the 1500's when beautiful was bigger and curvier and very woman like.

These girls were obviously not trying to be beautiful.

As a young child I was always told I was beautiful and all that crap but I just didn't feel I deserved that title (insert guilt here) There is no known reason that I would feel that way. No history of abuse that I know of, no nothing.

But I decided to get myself to a point where no one would say that anymore. And I did.

Personally I believe some cases DO stem from 'beauty magazines and unatainable ideals'..I've worked with some girls that are textbook anorexics.

All I'm saying is that there are ALOT of cases that are almost the opposite of the textbooks, and sometimes are very real, very PHYSICAL problems, and the sterotype that anorexics get, are preventing alot of woman from seeking help.

Period.

 

[•Quartz_Crystal•]

Jade!

Wow, I just had to add something.

I just took a look at your pics and you don't have a 'large frame' OR 'wide hips'

You're absolutely gorgeous chicka!