Thursday, May 17, 2012

Eating Disorders in Adulthood


Because of the many stereotypes that are created about eating disorders, often through the distorted perception of the media, it can be generalized that eating disorders only affect young adolescent females.  However, this couldn’t be farther from the truth.  Eating Disorders can develop during times of transition or significant life changes, which can instigate feelings of vulnerability or emotional stress.  Adulthood often entails considerable transitional time periods, such as the birth of a child, children leaving the home, martial problems or the death of family members or friends, to name a few examples.  If a woman or a man is unable to cope with the emotions that may arise during these difficult life events, they may become susceptible to developing an eating disorder.

If you or someone you love is concerned about eating disorder habits, please read this article to learn more about adult eating disorders.  If an eating disorder is developing or progressing, it is important to be aware of the signs for early detection and treatment, such as increased amount of time spent exercising or engaging in extreme dieting, changes in social functioning, or drastic weight changes.  The keys for establishing freedom from an eating disorder are recognition, acceptance and reaching out for help. There is always hope for recovery from an eating disorder, no matter what your age or period of life you may be in. 

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