ADAPT

1. LOW SELF-ESTEEM

Self-esteem is the opinion an individual has about him or herself. People with eating difficulties often dislike themselves leading to low self-esteem. Self-esteem also involves self-confidence in our abilities and we can be influenced by what others think about us.

2. BULLYING

A person is bullied when he or she is exposed regularly, and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more persons. It involves an imbalance of power, the powerful attacking the powerless. It can be verbal, physical or psychological in nature.

3. DIFFICULITY WITH FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

People with eating distress often have great difficulty in managing relationships of all kinds. They are generally insecure and depend on the approval of others as they have little sense of self-worth or valve. Some children and teenagers find saying no to food is the only way they can make their feelings felt and have influence in the family. Formal counseling or therapy can help the individual identify and resolve emotional issues associated with the eating problem so that personal change becomes possible. This may involve talking through painful experiences from the past or discussing relationship problems past or present.

4. ACADEMIC PRESSURES

Sometimes when students are under pressure, e.g. coming up to exams or assignment dates, the first thing they forget to do is eat. They often neglect their physical well being by not eating the right food and not getting enough sleep. The leads to poor concentration, poor retention of revision work and then ultimately a sense of panic which in itself can often reduce your appetite.

 
5. MOVING AWAY FROM HOME

Whilst living at home, the person may have been supported by parents, close family or friends. Now, they may find they are on their own and have to take this responsibility on themselves. Some find this responsibility is too much to cope with and their physical and mental health deteriorate. This is why it is important to have someone to contact for help and support.

6. BEREAVEMENT

When you lose someone close to you, it will affect you mentally and physically. Your everyday routine is initially disrupted. You may feel a variety of unpleasant emotions and try to cope by talking a lot, being restless, moving about aimlessly and trying to find something to do. However you may also revert into yourself and often the appetite is suppressed because of your stress and pain.

7. PRESSURE TO LOSE WEIGHT

We are surrounded by what the media sees as the “perfect body”. Sadly the reality is often a picture of a painfully thin and unhealthy person. Also, pressure to lose weight from family or even the GP - for health reasons, may lead to an erratic eating pattern. We all want to fit in but unfortunately for some the control over food and weight becomes their life.

8. DIFFICULTY IN DEALING WITH THE CHANGES OF ADOLESCENCE

An adolescent can feel insecure about themselves and worried about growing up. This can involve their bodies developing, school changes and developing relationships. Some adolescents find this so difficult that they stop eating to try and slow down the process. As well as maybe developing an eating distress, they can often develop other medical problems.

9. SEXUAL EMOTIONAL ABUSE

Anorexia and Bulimia thrive in our culture. Young people internalise this attitude and are terrified of being large. Sexual abuse then compounds this problem. Many girls who have been sexually abused begin to suffer from anorexia when they go through puberty. Anorexia like compulsive eating is an attempt to protect yourself, to assert control. By strictly controlling what you do and don’t take into your body, you are trying to regain the power that was taken from you as a child.

10. FEELINGS OF NOT BEING IN CONTROL OF THEIR LIVES

Socially, people with eating distress become increasingly isolated, as their mental state revolves increasingly around food and weight control. As a result they are sometimes unable to cope with social situations.