Feeding and Eating Disorders

An excellent website that addresses the phenomenon of pro-anorexia is beateatingdisoders.org.  The website provides different aspects concerning eating disorders. One of them is the dangers of pro-an and pro-mia. Pro anorexia and pro-bulimia are online published contents that promote harmful mindsets and behaviors that form parts of eating disorders (Beat Eating Disorders, 2021). The website also provides reasons why people access or create pro-mia and pro-ana content. According to the author, most people who access pro-ana content are suffering from eating disorders. Other vital contents presented on the website include the effects of pro-ana and pro-mia contents and different ways of solving the problems. Some of the effects include negativity, low self-esteem, feelings of competitiveness, and the creation of unhealthy rules and goals. One of the significant efforts that can be taken to avoid pro-ana content is social media sites having a process for reporting harmful contents that promote eating disorders.

Eating disorders are associated with several psychological, physical and social development effects. Eating disorders increase adolescents’ chances of developing depression, anxiety, and addiction. Eating disorders also affect physical development among adolescents. One of the major psychological effects of eating disorders is perfectionism (Saul & Rogers, 2018). This results when teenagers set unrealistic high expectations for themselves. Another psychological effect is body image dissatisfaction. Adolescents with easting disorders are more likely develop an internalization of appearance ideal and higher levels of body dissatisfaction. Nonetheless, eating disorders cause behavioral inflexibility among children.

There are many social effects of eating disorders among adolescents, one of them being weight stigma. Most people with eating disorders are stereotyped and discriminated against due to their weight. Other sociological effects are teasing and bullying. Over the past few years, many cases of bullying resulting from the impact of eating disorders (Saul & Rogers, 2018). Most people with eating disorders also report isolation and loneliness due to having less social support, social activities, and fewer friends.

Peer relationships play a significant role in the development of eating and eating disorders in adolescence. It is the pressure of other teenager’s expectations that causes stress, especially if one thinks they cannot meet their peer’s expectations. At some point, when adolescents are having trouble meeting the expectations of others, they can start beating themselves up for body types they do not have. The more they do this, the more depressed they get, and the more they feel a need to try to control at least something about their lives (Saul & Rogers, 2018). Peer relationships heighten adolescent’s awareness of what others think of their self-image. It makes them much more aware of what others are doing, and especially their successes. This enables adolescents to compare themselves to others, and since others are mostly only talking about success, it creates the impression that everyone on social media is more successful. This creates expectations that people should match what others are doing on social media and makes them feel inadequate when they are not doing what others are doing, making them start unrealistic eating routines leading to disorders.

Several things can help someone who is anorexic, but the individual needs to want the help. Otherwise, it will not work without a forced section. The first thing to do would be to communicate with them by ensuring they know I am there for them and willing to help them (Saul & Rogers, 2018). Another approach is getting them involved with a doctor so that they can get the correct treatment. They will require a therapist and intervention from an eating disorder team. Inpatient may also be required depending on BMI and danger. There is a need to support them throughout this experience.

References

Beat Eating Disorders. (2021). The dangers of Pro-Ana and Pro-mia. Retrieved April 25, 2021, from https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/recovery-information/dangers-of-pro-ana-and-pro-mia

Saul, J. S., & Rodgers, R. F. (2018). Adolescent eating disorder risk and the online world. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics, 27(2), 221-228.