1. Eating Disorders Abnormal Psychology Ms. Rebecca

2. What is an eating disorder? People with an eating disorder usually: Become obsessed with food Body image And weight

3. Who gets eating disorders? Eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder affect over five million people! In fact, 1 out of every 100 young women between the ages of 10 and 20 suffer from an eating disorder. The more you know about these illnesses will make you better able to help yourself and people you love. - http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/body/eatingdisorders/i ndex.html

4. Most common Anorexia Bulimia

5. Why do people get eating disorders? Sometimes eating disorders go along with other mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) People with eating disorders may have low self-esteem and see themselves as being “fat” or “ugly” and feel like they need to be “thin” to be happy.

6. Let’s read about one high school student’s ideas about eating disorders! http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/speako ut/editorial/obesity_9-29.html

7. Problems caused by eating disorders: malnutrition (the body isn't getting the nutrients it needs to work properly) dehydration (the body isn't getting the fluids it needs to work properly) loss of muscle diabetes hair loss death (if an eating disorder goes on for a long time)

8. How do you know if you, or someone you know has an eating disorder? Symptoms: Has had a big weight loss in a relatively short period of time. Wears big or baggy clothes, or dresses in layers to hide body shape. Seems obsessed with weight and complains about weight problems (even if they're "average" weight or thin). Seems obsessed with calories and fat content of foods. Seems obsessed with exercising all the time.

9. More! Often makes trips to the bathroom right after meals (sometimes with water running to hide the sound of vomiting). Starves himself or herself, or limits food. Eats a lot of food at once, then makes himself or herself vomit. Uses or hides the use of diet pills, laxatives, ipecac syrup, or enemas. Seems to be afraid of eating near or with others.

10. And more! Has strange food habits such as shifting the food around on the plate to look eaten; cutting food into tiny pieces; making sure the fork never touches the lips (using teeth to scrap food off the fork or spoon); chewing food and spitting it out, but not swallowing; dropping food into napkin on lap to later throw away. Hides food in strange places (closets, cabinets, suitcases, under the bed) to avoid eating (Anorexia) or to eat at a later time (Bulimia). Flushes uneaten food down the toilet.

11. Yadda yadda yadda Visits Web sites that promote unhealthy ways to lose weight. Reads books about weight loss and eating disorders. Says bad things about himself or herself after eating. Seems to be losing hair, or has a pale or "grey" skin complexion. Suffers often from dizziness and headaches. Has lots of sore throats and/or swollen glands.

12. Complains often about feeling cold. Has bruised or callused knuckles; bloodshot or bleeding in the eyes; light bruising under the eyes and on the cheeks. Has mood swings, depression, or is tired all the time. Is having trouble sleeping. http://pbskids.org/itsmylife

13. Let’s find out about personal stories: Go to http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/body/eating disorders.html http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/body/eating disorders.html In your groups you will read about one person’s story about an eating disorder and be prepared to share it with the class Group 1: Read “A Models Bulimia” Group 2: Read “Jessica’s Anorexia” Group 3: Read “Stephen’s Problem”

14. Answer the following questions about your person: 1. What eating disorder do they have? 2. How did it start? 3. What do they do that makes it a disorder? How does their eating disorder cause problems in their everyday life? 4. What do you think they should do to get help? What advice would YOU give them?

15. Let’s find out “How to Get Help” If you feel that your eating habits are out of control, you must get help. Talk to any trusted adult: a school counselor, doctor, family member, religious leader...anyone. If you don't feel comfortable reaching out to an adult, try talking to a friend

16. Go to the “How to Get Help Section” Read through the advice and choose one website to look at further. Do you think this site is useful? Why or why not?

17. Final thoughts: Answer the following questions before you leave class: What makes anorexia, bulimia, or other eating disorders a disorder? What should you do if you think you, or someone you know has an eating disorder?