Essay on Low Self-Esteem and Eating Disorders - 2215 Words

What is Self-Esteem... Self-esteem has recently been defined by Silverstone as the sense of contentment and self-acceptance that stems from a persons appraisal of their own worth, significance, attractiveness, competence and ability to satisfy their aspirations (Silverstone 1992). Self-esteem is the degree to which a person values and respects themselves, and is proud of their accomplishments. Self-esteem begins to develop in childhood, but it solidifies and gains momentum during the turbulent and trying years of adolescence. The teenage years tend to be a crucial make it or break it period when it comes to self-esteem because it is at this time that youngsters are searching for an identity. If this process goes awry, the teen†¦show more content†¦All of these traits are seen fairly consistently in patients with eating disorders. In addition, patients with eating disorders also exhibit other traits associated with low self-esteem, such as problems with their overall self-image, excessive concern over weight and shape, and globally negative attitudes about their self-control and discipline (Button 1997). The methodology for the research leading to these conclusions about low self-esteem and eating disorders typically involves elements such as questionnaires examining eating behavior, self-esteem and general psychological well-being (such as the Offer self-image questionnaire), depression and self-esteem scales (such as the Rosenberg self-esteem scale and the Hospital anxiety and depression scale), personal interviews with doctors, psychologists and researchers, and finally tests designed specifically for eating disorders (such as the Bulimia test and the EAT-40). Low self-esteem plays a prominent role in many multifactorial theories of the etiology of eating disorders. Studies on The Process of Identity Formation And Where It Can Go Wrong, Leading to Disturbed Eating... The formation of a concrete sense of self is one of the milestones of adolescence. However, this task is anything but easy. The teenage years are full of turmoil and changes that can have a detrimental affect on a girls sense of identity andShow MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Eating Disorders On The Body Image And Low Self Esteem1896 Words   |  8 Pagesinflamed esophagus, scarring on hands and worn down yellow teeth due to stomach acid, and even worse, stomach ruptures and heart failure. Other eating disorders can cause any wide range of complication. Eating disorders stem from a distorted body image and low self esteem. Modern societies in westernized countries are the cause of the prevalence of eating disorders due to the media’s influence and the susceptibility of the general populace to succumb to the portrayed ‘ideal’ body image. The media in aRead MoreEating Disorders And Body Image1613 Words   |  7 Pages Eating disorders and body image Cenia Xu Father Michael Mcgivney Catholic Academy Effects of Eating disorders have on teenagers Every day, teenagers are surrounded by different messages from different sources that impact the way they feel about the way they look. For some, poor body image is a sign of a serious problem: an eating disorder. Eating disorders are not just about food.The eating disorders containRead MoreTowards An Understanding Of Self Esteem And Eating Disorders1404 Words   |  6 PagesTowards an Understanding of Self-Esteem and Eating Disorders By Melissa H. Smith, Ph.D. | Submitted On September 24, 2012 Recommend Article Article Comments Print Article Share this article on Facebook Share this article on Twitter Share this article on Google+ Share this article on Linkedin Share this article on StumbleUpon Share this article on Delicious Share this article on Digg Share this article on Reddit Share this article on Pinterest Expert Author Melissa H. Smith, Ph.D. During aRead MoreEffects Of Exercise Behaviors And Body Image And Eating Disorder Development1742 Words   |  7 Pagesbehaviors and physical self-esteem on eating behaviors looks at one facet of this relationship. Exercise behaviors that will be looked at will take into account intensity of exercise, exercise frequency, and motivations for exercise. Self-esteem is multifaceted, but focusing on physical self-esteem pinpoints the physical appearance factors. Eating behaviors will be defined as the presence of significant eating disorder symptomology further detailed in the methods section. Eating disorder categories coveredRead MoreMy Friend Who Struggles With Low Self Esteem Through Email ( Ij )902 Words   |  4 PagesI interviewed my friend who struggles with low self-esteem through email (IJ, February 27, 2016). She does not want her name in this paper, so I will be using her initials. IJ was slightly chubby in elementary and middle school and that affected her self-esteem. She did not like her body because she was not as thin as the models and actresses and saw in magazines and on TV. She wanted to lose weight because she thought that â€Å"would give her confidence.† In high school she started to lose weight becauseRead MoreThe Struggles of Self Esteem662 Words   |  3 PagesSelf criticism can lead to dissatisfaction with one’s body image and self esteem. Body image distortion is known to be affecting adults and adolescents worldwide. The pursuit for perfection often results in the sense of failure which regularly leads to acts of self harm. These acts can be as common as unhealthy dieting as well as excessive exercising which can build up into life threatening eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and depression are commonly associated with negative body imageRead More Eating Disorders Among Teens Essay931 Words   |  4 PagesEating Disorders Among Teens Eating Disorders have become a serious issue in the past twenty-five years. Many people have been diagnosed for having an eating disorder. More teens out of any other age group suffer from it. Sports, peer-pressure, and low self-esteem can cause teens to be driven to eating disorders. Anorexia and Bulimia are the two main types of eating disorders. Anorexia is the self-starving behavior that can lead to severe health problems and even death. Bulimia isRead MoreThink Of A Beautiful, Ten-Year-Old Girl Standing In The1281 Words   |  6 Pagesher cheeks because she is being teased for not being as skinny as the other girls in her class. She looks at the models on TV and envies their skinniness. She wants to look just like them. At ten years old, she starts running after dinner and not eating as much as she use to eat. That beautiful little girl is just like every woman all over the world; she is pressured to by the media to have a â€Å"perfect body.’ Women all over the world are coerced by society to change the way they look. These womenRead More The Cause of Eating Disorders Essay591 Words   |  3 PagesThe Cause of Eating Disorders Although the causes are many and varied, we know that people with eating disorders often use food and the control of food in an attempt to compensate for feelings and emotions that may otherwise seem overwhelming. For some, dieting, bingeing and purging may begin as a way to cope with painful emotions and a way to feel in control of ones life, but ultimately, these behaviors will damage a persons physical and emotional health, self-esteem and sense of competenceRead MoreThe Effects Of Eating Disorders On Health872 Words   |  4 Pagesfactors through exercise and healthy eating as well as regular health screenings. However, there is another facet of human health that is less easily identified: mental health. Mental health impacts everyone in varying ways and in varying degrees. Sometimes the symptoms are easily identified, such as with schizophrenia disorders, but other times, the symptoms are hidden and the sufferers remain in silence until the situation becomes dire. In the case o f an eating disorder, the disease is not usually made