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Anorexia. Almost all of us have encountered this word somewhere. And yes, although it sounds more like a name for a space-themed videogame, it is unfortunately, something a lot more serious than that. Being a disease, anorexia is a disorder that affects a lot of people, mostly women.

We see it on the tube, on the internet, virtually everywhere. Everybody wants to have a vuluptuous figure, and a lot of us consider the slim, slender, and all-around absence of bodily fat to be "sexy". Lithe models strutting down the catwalk, crash diets, slimming teas etc., it has been the norm for quite some time. And sometimes a size 25 waist just won't do. But not everybody can be a Paris Hilton, or a Calista Flockhart. Or is there a way?

Anorexia, or more commonly known in the medical world as Anorexia Nervosa, is a kind of eating disorder which literally translates to "the relentless pursuit of thinness". So why does it affect mostly women? Simple. Society usually expect the men to have strong and powerful bodies, and the women to be tiny and thin (in this part of the world at least). Not good. Many try out a variety of eating regimens, and in doing so, often wander into the pitfalls of rigid and compulsive over control. Starting from their original weight, they achieve their desired figure fast, but from there it becomes a slippery slope of wanting more, in this case, wanting "less". Less fat, less weight, and in the process, lessening their good health and general well-being.

But somehow, men are affected too. According to the ANRED (Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc.) website, 10% of the total number of those who are afflicted with anorexia are male. So apparently it is also as much a mental battle as it is a physiological one. It is not only the desire to have a "sexier" physique that brings about this problem but also different kinds of societal pressures as a whole. Even a person's temperament plays a huge role in this fray. Many clinicians surmise that people who contract anorexia are typically "people-pleasers" who seek approval and avoid conflict. Obsessive-compulsive and sensitive-avoidant personality types are especially vulnerable. They also believe that anorexia might be a kind of "symbolic language" used by people who don't know how to, or are afraid to express powerful emotions directly with words. Citing this example; making one's body tiny and thin may substitute for, "I'm not ready to grow up yet," or "I'm starving for attention." Refusing to eat may translate to "I won't let you control me!"

Anorexia truly is a debilitating sickness. Eating and diet behaviors noticeably change for the worse. An anorexic usually skips meals or in extreme cases, would not eat meals at all. They would offer feeble excuses just to avoid eating. If ever an unavoidable chance to eat comes along, anorexia victims will choose "safe" foods; those with low-fat, low-nutrient content like lettuce, tomatoes and sprouts etc. With this kind of intake, the body drastically loses its former weight and bulk. The desired figure is achieved but as we have mentioned earlier, in most cases it doesn't stop there. The mindset becomes "thinner is better." Coupled with a tendency to be uber-disciplined and rigid, it becomes a very bad mix. The person will religiously follow a no-fat, no-calorie diet, and if broken, will do anything to purge the stuff out of his/her body by self induced vomiting, laxatives, diet pills , water pills and such. This takes toll not only on the body but on the mind as well. To deaden the emotional pain, alcohol and street drugs might be used, which as we all know, will only worsen the situation.

Feeling nervous now? Anorexia is something everyone should be wary about. It can happen to anyone. Basically, it all boils down to a person's happiness with him or herself. Anorexics feel that if they lose enough weight, become "sexy", they will feel good about themselves, improve their lives, and enjoy self-confidence and success. It is a great misconception that has already claimed many lives.

But fret not, Anorexia Nervosa is not without a cure. Physicians and counselors are available to help victims resolve both the medical and psychological issues that contribute to, or result from, disordered eating. Although the possibility of a relapse is always present, hard work and dedication to the rehabilitation program will surely pave the road to recovery.

But as clichéd as it might sound, prevention of anorexia is always better than cure.

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