Depression

This is a support group for Bulimics, anorexics, EDNOS, & all other eating disorders. We can help each other get through this. We will be each others Backbones. WE CAN CONQUER THIS. This is NOT a pro group. Please- Join if you need help- because that is just what you will get- HELP. ♥I, myself, am Trying to overcome bulimia. I KNOW it's going to be hard- it already is.. But I also Know it will be worth it.♥ Remember- no matter what anyone says, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL- Just the way you are. You are just SO important- You shouldn't care what other people think. YOU are the only one that matters. ♥We May Not Have It All Together, But Together We Have It All♥ MyHotComments / HotFreeLayouts ♥Here's a description of the main Eating disorders:♥ ♥ANOREXIA NERVOSA- ♥ ♥A psychiatric Condition that describes an eating disorder characterized by low body weight and body image distortion with an obsessive fear of gaining weight. Individuals with anorexia often control body weight by voluntary starvation, excessive exercise, or other weight control measures, such as diet pills or diuretic drugs. It has one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric condition, with approximately 10% of people diagnosed with the condition eventually dying, due to related factors.Anorexia Nervosa is a complex condition, involving psychological, neurobiological, and sociological components. Anorexia is a life threatening condition that can put a serious strain on many of the body's organs and physiological resources. Anorexia puts a particular strain on the structure and function of the heart and cardiovascular system, with slow heart rate (Bradycardia). People with anorexia typically have a disturbed electrolyte balance, particularly low levels of phosphate, which has been linked to heart failure, muscle weakness, immune dysfunction, and ultimately death. Those who develop anorexia before adulthood may suffer stunted growth and subsequent low levels of essential hormones (including sex hormones) and chronically increased cortisol levels. Osteoporosis can also develop as a result of anorexia in 38-50% of cases, as poor nutrition leads to the retarded growth of essential bone structure and low bone mineral density. Changes in brain structure and function are early signs of the condition. Enlargement of the ventricles of the brain is thought to be associated with starvation, and is partially reversed when normal weight is regained. ♥ ♥Bulimia Nervosa- ♥ ♥More commonly known as Bulimia, Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder. It is a psychological condition in which the subject engages in recurrent binge eating followed by an intentional purging or vomiting. This purging is done in order to compensate for the excessive intake of the food and to prevent weight gain. Purging typically takes the form of vomiting; inappropriate use of laxatives, enemas, diuretics or other medication; excessive physical exercise; or fasting. New research suggests that some sufferers may have a hormonal imbalance of testosterone.The following five criteria should be met for a patient to be diagnosed with bulimia Nervosa:♥ ♥ 1. Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following:♥ ♥ A. Eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g., within any two-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances.♥ ♥ B. A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g., a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating).♥ ♥ 2. Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior in order to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting; misuse of laxatives, diuretics or other medications; fasting; or excessive exercise.♥ ♥ 3. The binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors both occur, on average, at least twice a week for three months.♥ ♥ 4. Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight.♥ ♥ 5. The disturbance does not occur exclusively during episodes of Anorexia Nervosa. Bulimia is a serious, and deadly disease.♥ ♥EDNOS (Eating disorders not otherwise specified)-♥ ♥A diagnostic category of mental disorders that involve disordered eating patterns. It is a category of disorders of eating that do not meet the criteria for any specific eating disorder.This category is frequently used for people who meet some, but not all, of the diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. For example, a person who shows almost all of the symptoms of anorexia nervosa, but who still has a normal menstrual cycle and/or body mass index, can be diagnosed with EDNOS. A sufferer may experience episodes of binging and purging, but may not do so frequently enough to warrant a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa.People diagnosed with EDNOS may frequently switch between different eating disorders, or may with time fit all diagnostic criteria for anorexia or bulimia. EDNOS , like all other eating disorders, is very deadly.♥ ♥Binge eating disorder-♥ ♥Binge eating disorder is a psychiatric disorder in which a subject periodically does not exercise control over consumption of food, eats an unusually large amount of food at one time, like a whole pizza, eats much more quickly during binge episodes than during normal eating episodes, eats until physically uncomfortable, eats large amounts of food, even when they are not really hungry, always eats alone during binge eating episodes, in order to avoid discovery of the disorder, often eats alone during periods of normal eating, owing to feelings of embarrassment about food, and feels disgusted, depressed, or guilty after binge eating.♥ ♥Please share your stories or poems with us, and give your support to all. Remember- this is NOT a PRO group! Anyone who is found giving tips, etc. will be banned. ♥ ♥Thank you!♥ ♥Heres a List of Hotlines to call, If you need help:♥ ♥Girls and Boys Town - 1-800-448-3000 (TDD 1-800-448-1833)♥ -Call with any problem, anytime. Open 24 hours a day, everyday.♥ ♥ Family Health Information Hotline - 1-800-942-7434♥ ♥ The American Anorexia/Bulimia Association - 1-800-522-2230♥ ♥American Domestic Crisis Line - 1-866-879-6636♥ ♥Domestic Violence Crisis Line - 1-800-494-8100♥ ♥National Hope Line Network - 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) ♥ ♥National Runaway Hotline - 1-800-621-4000♥ ♥ National Youth Crisis Hotline - 1-800-442-4673♥ ♥SAFE (Self-Abuse Finally Ends)- 1-800-DONT-CUT (1-800-366-8288)♥ ♥Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention (EDAP)- 1-800-931-2237♥ -For answers to your questions, information, and nationwide referrals. ♥National Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center- 858-481-1515♥ ♥American Anorexia/Bulimia Association, Inc. (AABA)- 212-575-6200♥ -Referrals to treatment and Information ♥National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) - 847-831-3438♥ -Referrals to treatment and Information ♥The Renfrew Center - 1-800-RENFREW (1-800-736-3739)♥ -Referrals to Eating Disorder specialists (Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm, Eastern time) ♥Rader Programs - 1-800-841-1515♥ -Referrals to Eating Disorder specialists ♥Overeater's Anonymous - 505-891-2664♥ -Referrals to local chapters and information ♥Bulimia and Self-Help Hotline - 314-588-1683♥ -24 hours crisis line ♥The Nineline - 1-800-999-9999♥ -For emotional help with anytihng.