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Cougar Cry
Eating Disorders
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heart attack, other medical complications
or suicide. Anorexia involves an extreme
weight loss, at least 15% below the
person’s normal body weight. Many
people with anorexia look extremely thin
to others, but continue to see themselves as
overweight. Food and weight become
obsessions. Many refuse to eat in front of
others. Some may use extreme exercise
routines to assist in keeping off the weight.
Two to three percent of young women
develop bulimia nervosa, a pattern of
excessive overeating followed by vomiting
or other purging behaviors to control their
weight. Many people with bulimia abuse
laxatives or diuretics or exercise
excessively. Most people with this
problem “binge and purge” in secret and
their body weight may be near normal, so
they can hide their problem from others.
Another eating disorder that is similar to
bulimia is binge eating disorder. In this
disorder a person eats huge amounts of
Career Corner
I would like to welcome you to Wilkes
Community College. Even though you
have made the decision to attend college,
you may still be undecided about a career
direction. Choosing a career can be both
exciting and rewarding if you approach the
process in a step by step manner. The four
major steps in career planning are as
follows;
1. Who am I?
Learn about your interests, abilities,
values, and personality
2. Where am I going?
Learn about several occupations that
relate to what you have learned about
yourself?
3. How am I going to get there?
Take the courses and training programs
food, but does not purge his or her body of
the excess food. Most people with this
disorder are extremely overweight, and
have a history of weight changes up or
down. Binge eating disorder is found in
about 2% of people of all ages, more often
in women thw men.
Medical complications of eating disorders
range from mild anemia, to dehydration,
to loss of monthly menstrual periods, to
heart failure. Many of those who suffer
from eating disorders also suffer from
depression, anxiety, and other illnesses.
Most people with eating disorders share
certain personality traits, and eating
behaviors seem to develop as a way of
handling stress and anxiety. Genetic
factors may be involv^ in the
development of eating disorders. Female
relatives are most often affected.
Behavioral and environmental factors may
also play a role. Although most victims of
anorexia and bulimia are teenage and
young adult women, men and older
women can be affected. Anorexia and
bulimia are most often found in
Caucasians, but other racial ethnic groups
to help you prepare
4. What’s next?
Evaluate, update skills, keep
networking
Career planning is a lifelong project of
becoming more aware of yourself and more
aware of the changes in the work world.
The career planning process can work to
your best interest when you take it step by
step.
For assistance in developing a career plan
which may include the use of career
guidance inventories, software, and
information library, contact me at 838-
6147, Room 234, Thompson Hall to
arrange an appointment.
Cathy Annas
Career Counselor/Student Services
are affected. Research is continuing into
the role of brain chemicals in eating
disorders.
Eating disorders can be treated most
successfiilly when found early. Many
people deny having a problem, and
therefore do not get help until their bodies
have been seriously affected. Treatment
may involve outpatient procedures, but
some need hospital care. Some form of
psychotherapy is usually needed in
combination with medical treatment and
sometimes medications.
Treatment can save the life of someone with
an eating disorder. Friends, relatives,
teachers, doctors and nurses can all play an
important role in helping someone with an
eating disorder find help and then stay with
a treatment program. Ignoring the problem
will only contribute to the development of a
more serious condition. For more
information on eating disorders call your
local hospital or health department.
*This information was taken from NIH
publication no. 94-3477, US Dept, of
Health and Human Services.
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