Pregorexia and Drunkorexia
Food and Weight Obsessions Go To Dangerous New Levels
In a
society that values thinness, conditions like anorexia and bulimia cut across
race, color, gender and socioeconomic constraints. They’re defined by extreme
emotions, attitudes and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues. According
to the National Eating Disorders Association, roughly 30 million Americans will
suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their life. Two new dangerous
eating disorders they are mostly being seen with millennials are “pregorexia”
and “drunkorexia.” We turned to Dr. Sanam Hafeez, New York City based
neuropsychologist and Teaching Faculty Member at the prestigious Columbia
University Teacher’s College for some insight.
Drunkorexia: “I
want to drink but I don’t want to get fat so, I won’t eat.”
While
binge-drinking is in no way gender-specific, drunkorexia is a practice more
common to females. This term is used to describe the unhealthy combination of
extreme food restriction, bulimia and alcoholism; basically, it is a term for a
female who starves herself throughout the day, then drinks to excess at night.
Those
who engage in this practice rarely suffer from anorexia. This is because a
female with anorexia tends to avoid alcohol consumption altogether. Even if she
eats nothing during the day, the high caloric content of alcohol is too
frightening. “The fear of losing control is enormous. Rigid control is
essential to maintaining anorexia. Alcohol may lead to a relaxation of this
rigidity and she may fall victim to the allure of food which is why anorexics
avoid alcohol,” explains Dr. Hafeez.
For
myriad reasons, a female with bulimia is much more likely to fall into the
category of drunkorexia. “In the case of the bulimic, alcohol may play a
significant role in their binge-purge cycle. In addition to eating huge
quantities of food, she drinks excessively. Not only does she experience the
mood-altering effects of alcohol, but also the large amount of fluid helps her
in the purge process. After purging, she may drink more to sustain the high of
intoxication. It’s an incredibly damaging cycle,” adds Dr. Hafeez.
The
Dangers of Drunokorexia
Eating
on an empty stomach will definitely increase blood alcohol concentration,
simply because there is nothing there to absorb the alcohol. This increase is
more likely to result in blackouts, injury, and poor decision-making. It also
can result in temporary dehydration because of excessive urination and lack of
thirst. Also, engaging in this behavior frequently can lead to nutritional
deficiencies. These are some of the more immediate effects, but longer-term
effects can include increased damage to the liver and kidneys, as well as
alcohol addiction.
If
you are worried that you or someone you know are suffering from drunkorexia or
you know someone that is, it is important that you seek professional treatment.
“We would want to work on the needs to control and escape also worthiness
issues hence, the focus on thinness,” Hafeez explains.
Pregorexia:
“I’m pregnant, don’t want it to show, and I absolutely cannot get fat.”
In
the age of social media, it’s not so surprising that this condition exists.
Pregnant millennials see celebrities their age pregnant on Instagram with their
“bounce back body” in tip-top shape just weeks (or a few posts) after giving
birth.
These
women are so afraid of weight gain during pregnancy that they don't
adequately nourish themselves and their developing baby. “While it is not an
actual diagnosis, the fear of weight-gain due to pregnancy and worse, the
inability to return to the pre-baby weight, makes some expectant mother’s
pregorexic and this is when some turn to strict dieting and excessive
exercise,” shares Dr. Hafeez.
Not
gaining enough weight when you're pregnant is dangerous. It can increase the
risk of miscarriage and birth complications such as prematurity and low birth
weight.
The
risk of pregorexia might be higher for women who have a history of eating
disorders and those who have a weak social support system.
Specific
warning signs of pregorexia might include:
· Talking
about the pregnancy as if it weren't real
· Heavily
focusing on calorie counts
· Eating
alone or skipping meals
· Exercising
excessively
What
happens when you don't eat enough nutritious food in pregnancy?
When
you severely restrict your food intake, or binge and purge while you're
pregnant, your baby will not receive the necessary nutrients it needs to
develop in the womb.
Your
baby may be born underweight and develop other health complications during
infancy. You will also likely be
fatigued. The lack of nutrients to your baby may hamper their growth and
development which may later result in serious health conditions.
For
some women, pregorexia may lead to a miscarriage.
Women
should not be shamed for this condition; it doesn't make them bad mothers, they
are fighting a battle. Instead we should talk about it more, so the disorder
can be better understood and destigmatized.
WHERE
TO SEEK HELP
Call
a 24-hour Alcoholics Anonymous hotline: 510-839-8900
Hotline
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
National
Eating Disorders Association Helpline: 1-800-931-2237, This helpline offers
support Monday–Thursday from 9 a.m.–9 p.m. EST,
and Friday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. EST.
Something
Fishy: 1-866-418-1207, This
eating disorder helpline offers treatment referrals nationwide.
National
Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders:
1-630-577-1330 Currently serving
people in the United States, the hotline operates Monday–Friday from 9
a.m.–5 p.m. CST
About
the Doctor:
Dr.
Sanam Hafeez PsyD is a NYC based licensed clinical psychologist, teaching
faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College
and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation
Psychological Services, P.C. a neuropsychological, developmental and
educational center in Manhattan and Queens. Dr. Hafeez masterfully applies
her years of experience connecting psychological implications to address some
of today’s common issues such as body image, social media addiction,
relationships, workplace stress, parenting and psychopathology (bipolar,
schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, etc…). In addition, Dr. Hafeez works
with individuals who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD), learning disabilities, attention and memory problems,
and abuse. Dr. Hafeez often shares her credible expertise to various
news outlets in New York City and frequently appears on CNN and
Dr.Oz. Connect with her via twitter @comprehendMind or www.comprehendthemind.com
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