Did you know that 90% of women don't like the way they look? And all because of the media and their emphasis on the “ideal” figure of a woman. Top models like Kate Moss and other women inspired by Barbie dolls grace the covers of magazines around the world promoting a "perfect" shape. Girls of all ages think this is what people want to see. They think this is what they should look like and try to set impossible goals for themselves to look like covergirls. As a result, many women in North America suffer from psychological illnesses. Among the most common are eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia and bulimia generally occur in young women, but can also occur in older women and occasionally in men. People suffering from one of these diseases usually suffer from low self-esteem. Victims may think things like “my life would be better if I lost weight” or they may think that people would like them more if they were thinner. They may feel incapable and say to themselves, “I never do anything right” or think that “nothing I do is enough.” When they look in the mirror, victims see fat staring back at them, no matter how thin and bony they may appear to others. When shown photos of themselves, patients with anorexia and bulimia realize how thin they are but are still dissatisfied with their shape when they go to look in the mirror. Sufferers may lie about how much, how little, when and where they ate so as not to admit to themselves or others that they have a problem. They may also lie about vomiting and using laxatives. Depression or mood swings can also be symptoms of eating disorders. Lack of motivation, feeling isolated and alone, and feeling like you have no self-worth w...... middle of paper ...... liographyBooks: 1. Neuman, P, and Halvorson, P. 1983. Anorexia Nervosa and bulimia: a manual for counselors and therapists. New York, New York. © Van Nostrand Reinhold Company Inc. 2. French, B. 1994. Coping with bulimia. Hammersmith, London. © Thorson. 3. Hirschmann, J and Munter, C. 1995. When women stop hating their bodies.. New York, NY. ©Ballantine Books. 4. ______. 1996. "Anorexia Nervosa", "Bulimia Nervosa". The 1996 Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. © Grolier Electronic Publishing Inc. Internet Links: 1. ______. 1996, 1997, 1998. “Anorexia Nervosa”, “Bulimia Nervosa”, “Compulsive overeating”. Something Strange © Website Something Strange. 2. Thomas