Let me ask my readers a question: Have you ever looked at your reflection in the mirror and felt dissatisfied with your body? Did you ever feel that you are too fat, too lean, your nose is a bit out of the place, and that you have a double chin or just the fact that you don't look like any other super model out there! Well, if your answer is yes, then this is what constitutes Body Image.
Body image is the perception that a person has of their physical self and the thoughts and feelings that result from that perception.
According to the definition, these feelings can be positive (that the person feels extremely confident under his/her own skin) negative (that the person doesn't feel confident under his/ her own skin) or both, and are influenced by individual and environmental factors. But in accordance to research studies, chances are that the latter part is more predominant i.e That feeling that you don't look like a supermodel, that you do not confer to the conventional beauty standards of having a zero to negative figure, beautiful hair and flawless skin, proper height and booty etc. This leads to the changing eating patterns. Because after all! Where will all those carbs go?
The MINDS Foundation recognises that both social stigma and economic burden keeps many of the Indians from seeking help for mental health issues. India, a refuge for billions but refuge only physically and I don't think so the same goes for mental health as well! Is the same even taken into consideration?
Well! I could vouch on the fact that half of the population (and some of the readers of this blog as well) don't even know what mental health is all about! A place where people visit temples and address cynical religious Guru Ji's when any sign of abnormal behaviour is displayed.
According, to an NGO which works in the sector of mental wellness, 86% of the suicides occur in the low and middle class in developing countries like India. This even defies the well-known idiom that riches cause sleepless nights. Thus, the entire burden falls on the energy that we derive from, i.e. our food! The result is disturbed eating patterns.
Binge watching some YouTube diet videos, listening to the advice of some diet consultant and deciding upon a diet which doesn't even take your body type or blood group into account, ends up with people falling prey into one of the following eating disorders:
Eating Disorders describe illnesses that are characterized by irregular eating habits and severe distress or concern about body weight or shape.
Eating disturbances may include inadequate or excessive food intake which can ultimately damage an individual's well-being. The most common forms of eating disorders include Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder and affect both females and males.
The male or female suffering from anorexia nervosa will typically have an obsessive fear of gaining weight, refusal to maintain a healthy body weight and an unrealistic perception of body image. Many people with anorexia nervosa will fiercely limit the quantity of food they consume and view themselves as overweight, even when they are clearly underweight. Anorexia can have damaging health effects, such as brain damage, multi-organ failure, bone loss, heart difficulties, and infertility. The risk of death is highest in individuals with this disease. Combating this mental condition requires mental strength and above all will power. Still some medicines can provide you with a tranquil sensation so as to aid the process of recovery. Ayurvedic medicines can go a long way in the healing process of the mind like Ashwagandha Tablets by Himalaya. You can directly click on the link to buy the medicine. https://www.healthmug.com/product/himalaya-ashwagandha-tablet-60tab/677797299
This eating disorder is characterized by repeated binge eating followed by behaviours that compensate for the overeating, such as forced vomiting, excessive exercise, or extreme use of laxatives or diuretics. Men and women who suffer from Bulimia may fear weight gain and feel severely unhappy with their body size and shape. The binge-eating and purging cycle is typically done in secret, creating feelings of shame, guilt, and lack of control. Bulimia can have injuring effects, such as gastrointestinal problems, severe dehydration, and heart difficulties resulting from an electrolyte imbalance. Combating this mental condition requires mental strength and above all will power. Still some medicines can provide you with a tranquil sensation so as to aid the process of recovery. Ayurvedic medicines can go a long way in the healing process of the mind like Dr. Reckeweg's sedative drops. You can buy the medicine here by directly clicking on the link. https://www.healthmug.com/product/dr-reckeweg-r15-vita-c15-250ml/1842571711
Individuals who suffer from Binge Eating Disorder will frequently lose control over his or her eating. Different from bulimia nervosa however, episodes of binge-eating are not followed by compensatory behaviours, such as purging, fasting, or excessive exercise. Because of this, many people suffering from BED may be obese and at an increased risk of developing other conditions, such as cardiovascular disease. Men and women who struggle with this disorder may also experience intense feelings of guilt, distress, and embarrassment related to their binge-eating, which could influence the further progression of the eating disorder. Combating this mental condition requires mental strength and above all will power. Still some medicines can provide you with a tranquil sensation so as to aid the process of recovery. Ayurvedic medicines can go a long way in the healing process of the mind like New Life Bach Flower Sweet Chestnut. You can buy the medicine here by directly clicking on the link. https://www.healthmug.com/product/new-life-bach-flower-sweet-chestnut-30ml/210525742.
Although there are a lot more different classes and categories of eating disorders which have cropped up recently due to the increasing social stigma and peer pressure, yet to summarize these were the common few types.
If you land upon identifying with one of these eating disorders or struggle everyday with your body image, I would like to say that always remember that you are not alone. Nobody is perfect and there are millions out there who feel the same. Always seek medical help if the burden feels cumbersome. Coming out is pretty difficult but then help is always available. If my blog impacts even a single person, I would deem myself as successful.
In the end I would like to end by quoting a few lines from Maya Angelou:
"Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies..."
Folks, this is the confidence one should inculcate within oneself. Maya Angelou is as an inspiration for many and continues to be my idol.
Just a couple of lines which I think are enough to define who, what and how I am! I am an independent lady, With my spine straight. No matter how much you twist it It would NOT break...
