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norexia, a disorder characterized by the uncontrollable fear of gaining weight, kills 1 out of 20 people who develop it. Statistics from local hospitals show that more than 5 Singaporeans die from anorexia every year. What’s more, this number is rising.

"Usually, this is the result of heart failure and other organ failure, but it may also be due to suicide," said psychiatrist Dr Daniel Fung, the president of the Singapore Association of Mental Health (SAMH).

In 2012, 95 youngsters aged 13 to 19 were diagnosed with eating disorders such as anorexia at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH), as compared to 65 in 2011 and 75 in 2010. In 2013, 50 youngsters were diagnosed in just 4 months from January to April. KK Women's and Children's Hospital, and the National University Hospital had also reported similar trends.

Anorexia must be stopped, and the time to act is now.

It’s not just about image.

Many people blame the media's message that to be fat is to be undesirable; studies often show how anorexia is linked to issues about body image.

However, there is a common misconception that the media is responsible for anorexia. In fact, multiple emotional, psychological, and mental issues are often involved.

These issues include:

  • Ideas about body image, influenced by parents, the media, or peer pressure
  • Emotional instability, due to large changes in a person’s life, such as the loss of a loved one
  • Overachievers, who may feel a lack of self-worth despite their achievements
  • Past trauma, such as emotional, sexual or physical abuse
  • Need for control. A person may feel a lack of control over their lives, and thus try to control their eating habits instead
  • Depression. People with depression may also feel a lack of self-worth, and turn to anorexia as a solution

It eats at you mentally and physically.

Another common misconception is that anorexia is merely a physical disorder - anorexic people must look thin before they can be considered anorexic.

However, the truth is that anorexia is also a mental disorder, and it affects not just the body but also behavior.

Usually, cases of anorexia are hard to identify until the problem becomes too severe. Thus, it is important to stay vigilant and look out for signs that you or your loved ones might be developing anorexic behaviors.

These signs include:

  • Obsession with nutritional information but not eating food
  • Excessive exercise and calorie counting
  • Feeling constantly tired, dizzy, or faint
  • Huge weight loss over a short period of time
  • Feeling cold easily

It is not too late.

If you or anyone you know displays any of the signs listed above, action should be taken to address these behaviors before they become too serious.

What you can do:

  • Create a network of support for you and your friends
  • Reassure yourself/your friend of one’s inner beauty
  • Find/provide a listening ear to develop a better sense of self-worth

You are not alone.

If you feel as though your situation is hopeless, remember that you are not alone.

Help and treatment can always be found at:

  • SGH Eating Disorders Programme
  • Mount Elizabeth Psychological Medicine Clinic
  • Behavioral Health Services Clinic
  • Novena Psychiatry Clinic.

There is also a support group run by SAMH and SGH for people who have or had eating disorders and their caregivers to share their stories and to support each other. The group meets every first Thursday of the month, from 7.15pm to 8.45pm at SGH’s Life Centre.

HELPLINES:

Samaritans of Singapore: 1800 221 4444

SGH Eating Disorders Programme: (65) 6321 4377

Mount Elizabeth Psychological Medicine Clinic: (65) 6735 6870

References:

Article written by: Joel Tan