Anorexia statistics continue to prove that girls and boys, men and women are still dying to be thin. This need for control destroys not only the lives of the anorexics themselves, but the lives of those around from family to friends to coworkers, and only serves to further propagate the Medias’ unrealistic example of the “perfect” woman or man.
Anorexia statistics continue to prove that the unhealthy behaviors of anorexics are not fading away, but in some case they are actually be on the rise, especially in the male population. These behaviors include, but are not limited to refusing to eat, refusing to eat in front of people, dismorphic or unrealistic view of their own bodies, and exercising to extremes. These people are not only starving themselves to the point of death or near death, but should they survive and become recovering anorexics, they have often damaged vital organs and glands to the point where they are beyond repair.
This situation, as reflected in anorexia statistics often leads to premature death or reliance on continual medical treatments, such as kidney dialysis. According to the NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health), 10% of all cases of anorexia end in death by suicide or self-inflicted ill-health or permanent debilitating health problems.
For loved one’s having to watch the people they care for, the pain is as excruciating for them as the patients, if not more. They see their family member, friend, or coworkers lose their hair, spend ever-increasing amounts of time at the doctor’s or dentist’s offices and often feel as helpless as the people they care about. They often believe themselves to be as unable to control or change the situation to a positive one, much the same as those they watch suffering and dying right before their eyes.
Some people are born with a predisposition towards anorexia, which is only exacerbated by the images they see billboards, in magazines and ads, and in movies and on television. And even though the fashion industry and clothing manufacturers are taking into account the statistical fact that women are and have been growing larger over the decades, even going so far as to no longer send size 0 models down the runway in this year’s latest designer fashions, for many the damage has already been done. Women and men, girls and boys are still pursuing the unrealistic.
The traits most often seen as factors that predispose certain people to the tendency toward becoming anorexic, according to mental health anorexia statistics and observations, include perfectionism and a controlling nature. The anorexia is often triggered by extreme events that occur in the lives of these individuals. They could be victims of rape, new mothers, or recently fired from their jobs. Loved one’s who are concerned with the health of another should suggest if not urge them to seek help, either through their personal physicians, mental health providers, groups specific to their needs, or any number of anorexia hotlines. There is help out there.
Tags: bodies, health, healthy, mental health, treatment, vision