In the mind of a typical parent, there are several things that they hope a child will not grow up to be. Researching those possibilities, a journalist will occasionally run across something fascinating to pursue, and here is a great example from the archives of Tumblr.com. The material itself is more than 10 years old, authored by a female cartoon figure pseudonymously known as “edcynic.”
That page was accidentally found in the course of a search for the author of a 10-point list of items relevant to “The Shame of an Eating Disorder,” and here we will elaborate on that rather brief and brusque list, and add a bit of empathic imagination, with the purpose of capturing some of the more distinctive and awkward aspects of living with a pitiful secret that probably everyone around you has long ago guessed. If not treated, what does a binge-eating child have to look forward to?
“Who dunnit?”
Yes, it is easy to imagine the embarrassment when a roommate says, “Where’s that ice cream that was in the freezer?,” and you have to say, “Well, the empty and crumpled container is under the sink…” — especially when it is the third time this week that a supposedly shared treat did a disappearing act. The original author did not go into that much detail, but we know how to extrapolate.
And sure, you want to be as quiet as possible when raiding the refrigerator at 2 AM and everyone else is asleep. Still, that particular awkwardness can be avoided with careful planning, and the average binge eater probably catches on to the techniques of ninja-like stealth pretty early on.
The author mentions how shameful it is to realize that you can’t get to work or to school, or pick up the kids from their school, because you spent the gas money on food. But taking into account the number of people within a 10-mile radius who spent their gas money on crack or lottery tickets, it could be a lot worse.
You again…
A shame that cannot be avoided, unless you want to spend even more of that gas money driving around to stores outside your neighborhood, is the third, fourth, or fifth encounter this month with the same checkout clerk who also processed your last cartful of junk food, and the one before that…
Excessive exercise is a slow-motion purge method, lacking the elements of drama and urgency that a problem eater may be hooked on. And then, there are episodes that qualify as more than just a little embarrassing. Like calling off a plan to do something with friends, because it has become clear that staying home to binge and purge is really the only possible way your mental/emotional quirk will allow you to get through a Saturday night.
Binge-and-purge
In this equation, the “binge” element is simple. Just acquire plenty of edible items made from flour, sugar, fat, and additives. Eat as much of that stuff as possible. So far, the program is pretty straightforward.
The “purge” part is when it gets complicated. Vomiting can be induced in a couple of different ways, and is rough on the digestive system, and expensively destructive to the teeth. However, it is a relatively quick process that can successfully be accomplished in a public restroom or a friend’s bathroom, or even outdoors.
Alternately, the resulting waste may be let out through the other end. A person can swallow a substance to induce diarrhea, a choice that involves the constant threat of exposure in the most elemental, irrefutable way. And, depending on how much you like your job and/or your paycheck, you need to be technically adept at the precise self-administration of your laxatives on workdays. This purge method can also damage a person’s innards, and is not recommended by any sane individual.
A tough one
According to journalist Paula Spencer Scott, binge eating disorder (BED) is “one of the most common eating disorders.” WebMD offers a concise page covering the pertinent categories of questions that parents may have if they don’t want binge eating disorder to become a part of their child’s future.
What should a parent watch for? Exactly how harmful can it be to overall health? At what point is it appropriate for a parent to say, “Okay, this needs to be addressed”? What are the treatment options? What about prevention? And more…
Your responses and feedback are welcome!
Source: “Pro-Anas and Their Ridiculous “Mono” Diets,” edcynicArchive.tumblr.com, undated
Source: “Binge Eating Disorder in Kids and Teens,” WebMD.com, 02/14/26
Image by Ricinator/Pixabay
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