Demented Illusions and Tainted Dreams

"If being fat is bad and being thin is good, than thinner is better and thinnest is the best--even if that is 68 pounds in a hospital, on life support" (Menzie 42). This quote accurately represents the philosophy of Kristen's thinking while experiencing one of the most difficult times of her life. Kristen, a recovering bulimic, volunteered to share her testimony on this sensitive subject. Her trouble with this serious psychological disorder started when all aspects of her life became more complex. Kristen was in 9th grade, and the death of her Grandfather flooded her with mixed emotions. The stress brought on by this sadness, despair, and eventually depression, shocked her from her school-girl world. Along with this unfamiliarity, the traumatic experience of rape spiraled her into high stress and low self-esteem. Combined, Kristen's stress resulted in an eating disorder. This growing problem of eating disorders, caused by low self-esteem, an overload of stress, as well as negative affects on health, can be controlled by using government-funded clinics, which will aid these hurting people.

Throughout time, the perfect body image changed from wanting fat on every part of the body to despising such a thing. People in the 1500's considered accumulating masses of lard on their body as a popular fashion because this showed that they had the luxury of purchasing food (Shakespeare). Nowadays, food is readily accessible, and some people

attempt to show strength of character by denying it. This 180-degree flip seems to have resulted in an explosion of eating disorders all over the world. Close to 70 million individuals are affected by eating disorders world wide. In America alone 10 million people have developed some type of an eating disorder, making up close to 15% of the world's statistic. ( Crowther 1)

The root of this problem stems from a psychological overload. First and most prevalent is the lack of self-esteem in eating disorder victims. Dr. Eric Button states, "Patients with eating disorders also exhibit other traits associated with low self-esteem, such as problems with their overall self-image, excessive concern over weight and shape, and globally negative attitudes about their self-control and discipline" (Button 47). Second, the need for control plays a major role in eating disorders. "Others use them to try to take control of themselves and their lives. They are strong, usually winning the power struggles they find themselves in" (ANRED 7). Another cause of anorexia and bulimia comes from high stress levels as life's pressures lead to overwhelming situations where eating disorder victims feel the need to release it somehow. "When the stress of every day life built up, I always felt the need to throw up. It was like I physically got rid of all my problems, they were not there anymore, at least for that moment" (Kristen). Although the previous examples lead in causing eating disorders, traumatic experiences also guide a person in that direction. The Boston College Eating Awareness Team says,

"A young woman who has been sexually assaulted, for instance, may blame herself for it, perhaps see herself as the cause of what occurred, or even see herself as having deserved it. This kind of negative belief or feeling about oneself can cause all kinds of problems,

most commonly, eating disorders. It is a way to express their pain without actually talking about it" (Tucker 11).

These examples prove that a trigger for an eating disorder can be something as small as an overload of stress, to the upsetting event of rape.

The results of eating disorders are different for each person. The first of these usually affects a persons mentality. For example, they shoot down into a depressive mood, where they feel unlike themselves. "At first they think that it is the most wonderful tactic that could ever be introduced. But then they start to drink heavily, or become depressed and never feel like doing anything, they don't even feel like themselves" (Smith 2). The next, more severe consequences are the physical effects ranging from loss of hair and weight, to blood pressure and heart problems. "The blood pressure can drop due to inadequate body fluid levels, causing episodes of fainting, feeling dizzy and palpitations. Heart muscle can waste away and heart failure can develop" (Hickin10). The most dangerous effect of eating disorders is death. "The mortality rate for anorexia is higher than for any other psychological