Alright, so listen up, I’m gonna tell ya ’bout this thing called anorexia, somethin’ the young folks these days get. It ain’t nothin’ to sneeze at, that’s for sure. They call it “anorexia nervosa” in them fancy doctor books, but I just call it plain worryin’.
What is this Anorexia Anyways?
See, these young’uns, they get this bee in their bonnet about bein’ skinny, real skinny. Like, skinnier than a beanpole, skinnier than a whippin’ stick. And they get scared, real scared, of puttin’ on even a little bit of weight. It’s like they think eatin’ a piece of bread is gonna make ’em blow up like a balloon.
- They start eatin’ less and less, countin’ every little crumb.
- Some of ’em, they go and puke up their food after they eat.
- Others, they take them pills that make ’em go to the bathroom all the time, you know, the laxatives.
It’s like they’re fightin’ against their own bodies, tryin’ to make ’em disappear almost. They look in the mirror and see somethin’ that ain’t real, seein’ fat where there ain’t none. It’s a twisted way of lookin’ at things, a real shame.
Why do they do it?
Now, that’s a head-scratcher. Some say it’s ’cause them magazines and TV shows are always showin’ them skinny models, makin’ the young’uns think that’s the only way to be pretty. Others say it’s ’cause they feel like they gotta be perfect, gotta be in control of everythin’. And then some, well, they just got somethin’ wrong in their heads, a sickness like any other.
What happens to ’em?
Well, it ain’t pretty, let me tell ya. They get weak, real weak. Tired all the time. Their hair falls out, their skin gets dry and flaky. They get cold easy, even in the summer. And their hearts, them poor hearts, they start beatin’ all wonky. Sometimes, they get so bad, they gotta go to the hospital, get hooked up to machines and tubes. And sometimes, Lord have mercy, sometimes they don’t make it.
What can ya do?
If you see a young’un startin’ to act strange about food, talk to ’em. Ask ’em what’s wrong. Don’t be accusin’ or yellin’, just listen. And then, get ’em some help. There are doctors and therapists who know how to deal with this stuff, they can help them get better. It ain’t easy, mind you, it takes time and patience. But it’s worth it, seein’ them get healthy and happy again. These doctors, they tell ’em to eat right, get their weight back up, and help ’em with them worries in their heads. They call it somethin’ fancy, “psychotherapy” I think, but it’s just talkin’ and figurin’ things out, you know?
It ain’t just about bein’ skinny, see? It’s about a whole lot more. It’s about feelin’ good about yourself, about takin’ care of your body, and about knowin’ that you’re worth somethin’, no matter what the scale says.
So, keep an eye on them young’uns, make sure they’re eatin’ good and not gettin’ too caught up in lookin’ like them stick figures on TV. And if you see somethin’ ain’t right, don’t be afraid to speak up. It might just save a life.
Some folks even study this stuff, you know. They use them flashcards to learn all about anorexia, different types and all. They ask questions like, “Does Rachel have anorexia?” and try to figure it all out. It’s important stuff, this learnin’, ’cause the more we know, the better we can help them young’uns.
And it ain’t just a girl thing, neither. Boys get it too, though maybe not as much. It’s a sickness that can hit anyone, any age, any background. So we gotta be vigilant, gotta look out for each other.
Now, I ain’t no doctor, but I’ve seen enough in my life to know when somethin’ ain’t right. And this anorexia, it ain’t right. It’s a thief, stealin’ the health and happiness of our young’uns. And we gotta fight back, gotta protect ’em. So keep your eyes open, and your heart too.
Tags: [Anorexia Nervosa, Eating Disorder, Mental Health, Psychology, Body Image, Weight Loss, Health, Treatment, Therapy, AP Psychology]
