Last Updated on December 16, 2021 by
The permarexia is the obsession with counting calories of all foods you eat. Those who suffer from this disorder often deprive themselves of certain groups of food for a long time, which can have disastrous consequences for health.
People with permarexia are always on a diet and are very concerned about the idea of gaining weight, so much so that the habit of counting calories becomes obsession.
Characteristics of people with permarexia
They have low self-esteem. The lack of security in itself, in its virtues, makes the person give too much importance to the physical aspect.
They demand too much. If you have permarexia, the idea of looking like an ideal body stereotype would make you feel better, but this is often difficult to achieve. You set impossible goals and therefore, you get frustrated permanently.
Passivity, helplessness . Everyday problems are avoided, keeping for himself what he thinks or feels. When a discussion or misunderstanding arises, people with permarexia think that this happens because they do not like him or do not appreciate him.
Their social relationships are unstable, it is difficult for them to socialize . They avoid going to parties or meetings because there will surely be high-calorie foods. They blame the organizer for not choosing a menu with fewer calories; This makes him feel very bad tempered, his answers are aggressive.
They have emotional problems. Many times they are people with anxiety disorders, depression or other alterations.
They are not satisfied with your body . A person with permarexia fears not liking or not falling well, due to his physique, even if he is not even overweight.
They hardly recognize that they have a disorder. They believe that their concern has to do only with maintaining good nutrition and a healthy weight.
They follow all types of diets. They are always trying a different regime, the one that is in fashion.
There is a big difference between eating healthy and exercising, and obsessing about following a diet, avoiding certain types of foods or counting calories, although sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish one situation from another.
Permarexia
Other symptoms that indicate that something is not right, are the following:
Irritability, discontent
Social isolation.
Apathy.
Low school or work performance.
Anger.
Talk about food and diet all the time.
Know exactly the amount of calories of all foods.
Eat very little in general, or eat large amounts of food from time to time.
If you have these symptoms or see them in someone close to you, then it may be permarexia.
Consequences of permarexia
Possibly the most worrisome of this disorder is that usually, who has it is not aware of it.
He believes that he simply cares about having healthy eating habits, when in fact the obsession with counting the calories may be having negative consequences on his health.
The fact of undergoing different diets causes frequent changes in body weight, without any control, which can sometimes cause a rebound effect.
In the medium and long term, this permanent variation in weight is capable of altering the functioning of the thyroid gland (which is essential in the regulation of metabolism).
If you have permarexia, you can also suffer episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels), which causes dizziness, blurred vision, dizziness and in severe cases, loss of consciousness.
People with this eating disorder may also have constipation, gastric ulcers or nutritional deficiencies from the chronic deprivation of a certain food group.
Finally, if you suffer permarexia you are more likely to develop other eating disorders, such as bulimia or anorexia, whose consequences can lead to death.
Therefore, if you know someone or if you yourself are permanently following some type of highly restrictive diet, if you are concerned about the appearance of your body or if you are looking to look like a celebrity, then it is best to consult a psychologist and a nutritionist, to be able to get out of this problem.
Is permarexia a recognized disorder?
As you will have read at the beginning of this article, permarexia is a term that has not yet been accepted by the medical community.
However, this does not mean that the disorder does not exist. Permarexia, as well as other eating disorders, are grouped in what health institutions call “unspecified eating disorders”.
In general, people who suffer from these types of disorders follow a strict diet, often also exercise a lot and have a poor image of themselves.
Studies indicate that one in 20 people suffer from this type of eating disorders, which are certainly not as well known as bulimia or anorexia, but which can be very dangerous anyway.
It is important to keep in mind that in eating disorders not everything is “white” or “black”, but there are also “gray” areas. While a person may not present all the symptoms and signs of a known eating disorder, this does not mean that they do not have any disorder.
Moreover, most people with pathological changes in their diet are diagnosed with “unspecified eating disorder”. The prevalence of this type of disorder is really worrisome.
Research shows that in the population of women aged 25 to 45 years, with no history of anorexia, approximately 30% say they have “purged” their body to lose weight or to lose weight, vomiting or using laxatives.
In addition, an alarming 75% of these women stated that concerns related to their weight and body shape interfered in some way with
their happiness.
Among adolescents and young male adults, 18% said they felt “extremely worried” about what their physique would be and their weight in adulthood.
It is said that a person has an “unspecified” eating disorder when their concern about food, body shape or body weight interferes with their daily life and well-being.
Probably, the characteristic that is present in the permarexy as well as in the other unspecified eating disorders, is that the person suffering from it feels that his weight or the shape of his body is a very important factor that determines the value of his person.
Causes of permarexia
There are many biological factors that can increase your risk of having pemarexia or another eating disorder in your group.
It has been seen that the prevalence is greater in certain families and that in identical twins, if one of them suffers one of these disorders, it is highly probable that the other one also suffers it.
At the same time, doctors point out that environmental, social and developmental factors also play a fundamental role in the development of permaxia.
“The genes carry the weapon and the environment triggers it,” say researchers at the Center for Eating Disorders at the University of North Carolina.
The verbal messages transmitted by parents in childhood can have an important influence on the eating habits of their children. It has been seen that there is a relationship between disordered eating habits in young people and hurtful comments in the family, related to body weight.
Close friends can also influence in this regard. If you have a dietician or a close relative who follows strict diets, this increases your chances of developing an eating disorder.
In predisposed people, there are some “triggers” that can mark the beginning of the disorder, such as changes, school changes, changes in the family, the death of someone very close, change of work, personal failures, etc.
Finally, the mass media undoubtedly have an effect on the adolescent population and young adults, promoting the appearance of permarexia.
Research found that when a person reads more magazines and articles on diet and body weight control, he or she is more at risk for an eating disorder.
In general, the media promote an “ideal” body image, a beautiful body stereotype that is very difficult to reach for most people.
Studies have found that today it is “normal” to feel dissatisfied with one’s body.
Surely you have ever said something like:
“Look how big my thighs are”, “My arms are limp” or “I have a lot of belly”.
This type of talk increases the discontent we have with our bodies, which makes us have more of these talks, is a vicious circle.
And this general discontent favors the development of permarexia, without a doubt.
Obviously, not all people who criticize their thighs begin to obsess over their body, follow a strict diet, spend hours in the gym or use laxatives to control their body weight.
But it is clear that society focuses on weight and body shape as indicators of well-being and health, for everyone.
This approach leaves aside other very important aspects, such as anxiety, poor sleep, depression or addictions that may arise when there is an eating disorder.
How to know if you have permarexia
Do you want to know if you have this disorder?
Answer this simple questionnaire:
Do you avoid eating with other people?
Are you always counting calories and finding out how much fat is in each food you eat?
Do you weigh yourself very often?
Are you worried about your weight?
Do you exercise only to lose weight? Do you exercise anyway, even if you are injured or sick?
Are you afraid of gaining weight?
Do you feel guilty when you eat something that you think you should not eat?
Do you spend many hours a day thinking about diets, calories and control of your body weight?
Do you feel embarrassment, guilt or disgust after eating?
Do you feel that nobody will appreciate you if your body does not have certain measures or if you do not have a certain weight?
If you have answered affirmatively to most of these questions, you probably have permarexia.
The best thing is that you consult a nutritionist or a psychologist (or both) as soon as possible.
How to help someone with permarexia
As was said at the beginning, if you know someone with permarexia, it will be difficult for them to recognize that they have a problem, but this is the first step to be able to get ahead.
You can start by letting her know that you are concerned about her welfare. Even if you deny it or get angry, you should remain calm and insist at another time with this idea: “I’m worried about your health, I think you should consult a specialist.”
It could be a nutritionist, a psychologist, a general practitioner or a psychiatrist.
At some point, surely ask for help or agree to attend the consultation that you suggest, although this may take a long time.
The treatment to be followed will be indicated by specialists, but usually includes:
– Incorporation of healthier eating habits, with the help of a nutrition expert.
– Psychological treatment to improve self-esteem, among other aspects.
– Occasionally, psychiatric medication may be necessary, such as antidepressants, anxiolytics, etc.
It is important to keep in mind that there was probably an emotional problem that triggered the disorder, and this problem will not disappear overnight . There may be improvements and relapses.
Permarexia is totally curable and there are many treatment options. But it is important that the person realizes that he suffers from an illness.
Many believe that those who suffer from an eating disorder should be extremely thin or obese. However, it is not necessary to go to these extremes to ask for help.
Also Read: Amotivational Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments
So you already know, permarexia is a disease and it is important to consult in time to avoid damage to health.
