This is my theory of eating disorders from what I've seen and the folks I've talked to. Sample size: 9 bulimics, 6 anorexics. All girls. All pretty solidly middle-to-upper socio-economic groups.
I reckon, by and large, that parents who are overly indulgent with their kids and don't set boundaries too well, who are emotionally available but also emotionally volatile, who don't believe in discipline (especially not of any physical nature), who want their kids to feel good about themselves but don't provide a rational framework of achievement and responsibility - these parents are likely to produce a bulimic daughter.
These are girls who feel they are entitled innately to good things, but who have a sneaking suspicion that they're not good enough, not tough enough, not confident enough to make it 'in the real world'.
Parents who are emotionally unavailable, strict, perfectionist or hyper-critical, unwilling to express affection physically, unforgiving, inflexible and remote are more likely to produce daughters with anorexia.
Anorexics are often unable to form deep friendships with others; even when they do, they undermine and mistrust this (they're only putting up with me because I'm so ugly and pathetic"). Anorexics are often trying to shut out the world, or to shut off avenues for criticism ("I'm sorry everything I do falls short of your standards, but at least this diet can't be criticised... no fat! no sugar! no reason to tell me I'm failing again...").
Anorexics are more likely to die of the disease than bulimics, and are harder to treat. Anorexia in about 5-10% of cases (from what I've read) persists for longer than 15 years, and if you were abused as a young child, you are more likely to develop anorexia; conversely, adult-rape victims more often develop bulimia. I think it's basically because people with anorexia are wound up over everybody and eveything in the world waiting to jump on their every mistake and pillory them for it. Bulimics are often more able to connect emotionally with people, and that makes a huge difference in their prospects for recovery.
That's not to say that bulimics are happier; that'd be ridiculous, all eating disorders are misery to live in. But I do think it usually means that bulimics are "wholer" people and that may make the therapy process more effective.
Have you made it back "safe and sound"? Was good seeing and talking to you. :) Eat the lentils! Then tell me how you cooked them so I can try some too! Muggle made me soup today yay!
Posted by: giffy at April 19, 2005 08:25 PMthe lentils taste like beans. Are they beans? Chuck 'em in the soup and simmer the hell outta them until they are soft and edible. :)
Posted by: phreq at April 20, 2005 06:42 PMmy workmate is in LURVE with lentils. she better - since from next week she's into 40 days of greek easter, which pretty much means lentils lentils lentils (is pretty much v vegany). if you wants some lentil recipes, i'm sure she can supply multitudes. she did a really yummy one the other day actually. v basic too she says
Posted by: Zephfi at April 20, 2005 06:48 PMRecipies would be great, if she wouldn't mind sharing a couple of her favourites :)
Posted by: phreq at April 21, 2005 06:37 PM