Explanation Anorexia nervosa The term Anorexia comes from the Greek words 'an' meaning 'without' and 'orexia' meaning 'appetite'. Anorexics are terrified of gaining weight. Anorexics see themselves as 'over-weight' even when they are, in fact extremely thin and under-weight. Anorexics follow stringent dieting and may also exercise vigorously in their relentless pursuit of thinness. Chronic starvation results in extreme weight loss. According to psychologists anorexics lack a self-image and a sense of self- worth among family and society. They are usually high achievers and are scared of failure. Pre-anorexics are often good children, hard working, ready to please others and high achievers. They strive for perfection but somehow feel inadequate inside. They crave to stand out among the mediocre crowd and achieve this by resorting to weight loss and being thin. It is difficult to successfully treat patients suffering from anorexia nervosa. Anorexics need repeated professional counselling to make them understand and accept that there are alternatives to starvation and obesity. Bulimia Bulimics are terrified of gaining weight and becoming fat. But she cannot stop herself from binge eating, consuming thousands of calories, at times without even tasting the food. Once this uncontrollable craving for food is satiated, she suffers from the morbid fear of weight gain. The bulimic then resorts to induced vomiting or may even take laxatives or diuretics. This chaotic pattern of eating cycle-binge eating and induced vomiting may damage the kidneys. During vomiting the acid from the stomach may damage the oesophagus and the throat. Induced vomiting may cause tear in the oesophagus -a condition called Mallory Weiss syndrome. Bulimics often have problems with anxiety, depression and impulse control. They find it difficult to handle emotional stress. Bulimics need professional counselling to help them to overcome the disorder. Compulsive eating Compulsive eating disorder probably has roots in the childhood. The compulsive eater may have been deprived of love and affection at home as a child and had turned to food as an alternate source of satisfaction. As he grew up, this chaotic eating pattern made him obese and unattractive to friends and family. He probably felt alienated and found solace in frequently eating large quantities of food. Compulsive eaters require professional counselling to overcome the disorder.