Did you know that 90% of women dislike the way they look? (Thompson 1) And the majority of the blame is placed on the media and their emphasis on the "ideal" figure of a woman. Supermodels and other Barbie-doll-figure-inspired women grace the cover of magazines all over the world promoting a "perfect" shape. Girls of all ages think that this is what people want to see. They think that this is what they should look like and try to set impossible goals for themselves to look like cover girls. As a result, many women in North America suffer from psychological illnesses. Among the most common are eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive overeating. .
Anorexia and bulimia generally arise in young women, but may also occur in older females and occasionally in men. People suffering from any of these sicknesses usually suffer from low self-esteem. Victims may think things such as, "My life would be better if I lost weight," or they may think that people would like them better if they were thinner. They may feel incapable and tell themselves, "I never do anything right," or feel that "nothing I ever do is enough." When they look in the mirror, victims see fat staring at them, no matter how thin and bony they may look to others. When shown pictures of themselves, anorexia and bulimia patients realize how thin they are but still are dissatisfied with their shape when they go to look in the mirror. .
Sufferers may lie about how much, how little, or when and where they have eaten so as not to admit to themselves or to others that they have a problem. They may also lie about vomiting and the use of laxatives. Depression or mood swings may also be symptoms of eating disorders. Lack of motivation, feeling isolated and alone, and having the feeling of no self-worth can even lead to suicide (Thompson 1). .
Eating disorders are commonly caused by a chemical imbalance in the victim's brain.
