Anorexia

...No laughing matter.

Anorexia is a serious problem. Every year, thousands of girls and boys (yes, boys can get it, too) are diagnosed with this serious psychological disorder.

Unfortunately, it's not as serious to some as it is to others. Many take it as a joke, calling thin people "anorexic" and not realizing what they're saying. Well, what exactly IS anorexia?

"Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by markedly reduced appetite or total aversion to food. Anorexia is a serious psychological disorder. It is a condition that goes well beyond out-of-control dieting. The person with anorexia, most often a girl or young woman, initially begins dieting to lose weight. Over time, the weight loss becomes a sign of mastery and control. The drive to become thinner is thought to be secondary to concerns about control and fears relating to one's body. The individual continues the endless cycle of restrictive eating, often to a point close to starvation. This becomes an obsession and is similar to an addiction to a drug. Anorexia can be life-threatening. Also called anorexia nervosa." (Source: Medterms.com)

So, as you've read, it's no laughing matter. It often leaves its victims feeling helpless and alone, as if their own body has turned against them. And yet, there are those that choose to ignore these simple facts for laughter. Anorexia isn't something that happens over-night. It doesn't mean that you're skinny. It means you have a serious medical condition, one that can and will cause death if untreated.

With all of the information readily available, why do so many young girls aim to be anorexic? Has the media and America really put appearance on that big of a pedestal that every young girl has to be skinny in order to be acceptable? Most will say looks are important, and I'm not disagreeing, but at what price?

Anorexia is more damaging than being ten or fifteen pounds overweight. It's more psychologically damaging than not looking as good as the girl standing next to you.

It's real, and really dangerous.