Although there is no definite of how and why anorexia develops, there are many issues that surround it. The factors that cause this disorder vary from individual to individual. Some factors include:
- Feeling insecure.
- A distorted body image (feeling fat) and striving for the perfect body.
- A family history of depression or an eating disorder.
- Severe family problems.
- A history of sexual abuse.
- Extreme social pressures.
- Fear of change.
There are many more factors that cause anorexia and some believe that it is only a more severe form of the normal insecurities and fears of becoming fat teenagers have. But the most important question we have to ask is, what drives teenagers to these extremes? Only then we will be able to move forward and find a cure.
‘‘The reason why I gave in to Anorexia is because I wanted to be accepted, and fix my imperfections,’’ said a recovering anorexic.
Our culture is preoccupied with appearance. Everywhere you look and especially in the media, there is something that relates to being thin; adverts for diet pills, healthy diets or exercise machines featuring extremely thin models. With all these pressures and ideas set, many teenagers are turning to anorexia to become thin. Nowadays, this disorder is becoming an enormous problem amongst teenagers. Anorexics suffer from many problems other than starvation such as irregular blood pressure, anaemia, insomnia, and feeling depressed or anxious. Also, some teens turn to anorexia to be seen as ‘normal’.
Watching adults always exercising and worrying about their weight is also usually another for anorexia. Children pick up on seeing adults always worrying about their weights and this makes them think that being thin is very important. Movies and shows usually make fun of overweight people and this can make teens that already have insecurities about their weight to turn to anorexia. Some teens will do vigorous exercise, have foods that they will never eat and some will avoid meals. Others denying hunger or deny that they have any problem at all and are extremely selective in the food that they eat.
Is anorexia just a mental illness or is there more to it? Why and how does it develop?
Consequences of this illness vary from suffering from brittle bones and hair to abnormal heartbeats leading to sudden death. Being a teenager myself, I know how it feels like not to be in control of your body. Personally, I think that most teenagers feel the need to be ‘perfect’ healthy, attractive and accepted by their peers. Anorexia will make you thin, but in a deadly manner rather than an attractive one. So remember next time that you want to lose weight, do it the safe and healthy way. Eat right and exercise even if it means listening to your P.E teacher!
