Karen Carpenter was a legendary singer. When she left us, due to complications of Anorexia Nervosa, she left a huge void that can never be filled. Her premature death opened the window so we could all take a closer look at this life-threatening psychological disorder. It's hard to understand why some young women (and some young men) will starve themselves for affection. 

The phenomenon is best understood in the context of the family and society. To gain a comprehensive grasp of the problem, we must examine society's expectations of women and their bodies. We must understand the roles that men's attitudes towards women and men's expectations about women play. 

Eating disorders, including both Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia, also involve a confluence of other factors, including low self-esteem, high achievement needs, peer pressure, the influence of the media, and unwritten rules and roles assigned within dysfuntional relationships. Individuals who suffer from this condition typically feel powerless, dependent on others, unworthy, alone, and ineffably afraid of intimacy. They often suffer from mood instability, unresolved anger, and typically have turbulent relationships involving a great deal of trauma. Many are victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse and have concomitant conditions such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. If you suffer from this condition, it is not enough that you get help (although that's a good place to start). Your whole family might need to become a collective patient. 

Society may also need to be a patient. This will involve collective soul searching to examine how each of us, with our attitudes and expectations, may be contributing to the problem though our actions and/or lack thereof. It's not a matter of assigning blame. It's a matter of feeling their pain. 

Just a little food for thought from Dr. BLT. Karen Carpenter was a legendary singer. When she left us, due to complications of Anorexia Nervosa, she left a huge void that can never be filled. Her premature death opened the window so we could all take a closer look at this life-threatening psychological disorder. It's hard to understand why some young women (and some young men) will starve themselves for affection. 

The phenomenon is best understood in the context of the family and society. To gain a comprehensive grasp of the problem, we must examine society's expectations of women and their bodies. We must understand the roles that men's attitudes towards women and men's expectations about women play. 

Eating disorders, including both Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia, also involve a confluence of other factors, including low self-esteem, high achievement needs, peer pressure, the influence of the media, and unwritten rules and roles assigned within dysfuntional relationships. Individuals who suffer from this condition typically feel powerless, dependent on others, unworthy, alone, and ineffably afraid of intimacy. They often suffer from mood instability, unresolved anger, and typically have turbulent relationships involving a great deal of trauma. Many are victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse and have concomitant conditions such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. If you suffer from this condition, it is not enough that you get help (although that's a good place to start). Your whole family might need to become a collective patient. 

Society may also need to be a patient. This will involve collective soul searching to examine how each of us, with our attitudes and expectations, may be contributing to the problem though our actions and/or lack thereof. It's not a matter of assigning blame. It's a matter of feeling their pain. 

Just a little food for thought from Dr. BLT.