Anorexia Northern Territory
Northern Territory is just one of many news agencies that reports stories such as the lawsuit about a girl who died from anorexia. This report was back in February. This report is just one of many we read about every day across the world. Anorexia and other eating disorders has become a major problem with the population, especially our young people. Anorexia is diagnosed in more in teens between the ages of 10 and 20 than any other age although it can and does affect any age. The majority of deaths from anorexia occur in males over the age of 70. There are also many deaths reported in young people if the disease progresses too far before the victim seeks medical help. There have been more than 8 million people diagnosed with anorexia and other eating disorders and the numbers continue to rise. The public needs to be educated more about the disease so they can help those near to them who might be suffering from it. The answer to this problem is early detection and early medical help. This is sometimes difficult because the victim refuses to believe that they have a problem and they try to hide it with layered or baggy clothing. The average age for a diagnosed victim of anorexia is 17. There is so much pressure on our young people in today’s society. It is not unusual for one with a lot of peer pressure, stress, maybe abuse or genetically linked, to fall victim of anorexia or some other eating disorder.
Up until about thirty years ago there was not much information about anorexia. Anorexia was first described in 1684 but it was not until 1870 that it was described and actually diagnoses as a disease. There still was not much scientific study done on the disease because scientists did not see the need for it. They did not realize how common it actually was and the increase in numbers until the 1970's and 1980's. After Karen Carpenter (famous singer in the 70's and 80's with her brother Richard) died in 1983 there seemed to be a need for more studies on the disease. Today there are treatment centers across the United States and in Britain. There is a lot of information on the internet on the subject as well as pictures, graphs, charts, signs and symptoms, stories about those who died from the disease, and testimonials from victims who suffered from anorexia and survived. There are some very interesting stories as well as some heartbreaking ones. They are the wake up call to the public to learn more so we can help combat this problem.
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