STARVED
desire in my physical appearance. I appear to be holding it
together, but I guess my doctor got a glimpse of the truth.
-Allie,
personal journal entry
Eating disorders rarely leave the physical body unaffected;
there are always consequences to bad choices. Our choices can
affect the rest of our lives. Knowing ahead of time where the
road you are on is taking you tomorrow may encourage you to
evaluate the choices you are making today or your decision to
speak to someone else you suspect is in trouble.
Some of the long-term results of eating disorders include:
osteoporosis, muscle deterioration, anemia, organ damage, acid
reflux:, esophageal tears, chronic constipation, abnormal liver
function, elevated cholesterol, decreased estrogen, infertility,
abnormal blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, brain shrinkage,
and death.
Behind the Behavior
The media, fashion industry, and even your family can
influence an eating disorder, but more than likely it did not
start there. Most eating disorders stem from deep emotional,
psychological, and spiritual roots. There are different ways of
handling stressful and discouraging events in our lives, but
anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating are not healthy options.
So how do eating disorders start, and why do you do fall into
these behaviors?
Control
The behaviors associated with an eating disorder make you
feel that you are in control. However, just the opposite is
true. When you choose to give in to the harmful behaviors of
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