by Mario Carini

Created on: December 08, 2009   Last Updated: December 09, 2009

In today's chaotic and hectic world, many people easily lose a sense of direction. Poor eating habits and high stress leads many to develop both physical and mental health problems. The days of yesterday when life was less complicated are gone. The need to compete, the need to pay those bills and still keep a level head is a challenge for many people.

It's easy to simply wallow in self-pity and many people simply have lost any confidence in their ability to cope with the stresses of life. Through they years they develop a negative mindset that prevents them from reaching their full potential.

The lack of self-esteem is what leads many to find some comfort and reason for existence. They look outside of themselves to find easy solutions. Unfortunately, what they look for is often destructive and leads them further into the depths of despair. As they don't see a future, they resort to drinking, drugs, sex and overeating.

We see this lack of self-confidence at all ages. Seeing themselves as ugly and attractive, teenage girls starve themselves, or binge on food. Bulimia and anorexia are major problems for many young girls that don't see their special talents and abilities.

Bulimia and anorexia are less of a problem for boys, but their lack of self-confidence translates into violent acts such as the massacre that occurred in Montreal's Polytechnique Institute in December of 1989 where Marc Lepine killed 14 women and injured 10 more before taking his own life. While not all boys and men react this way, many give up on life and let their health and well being suffer.

The first recourse to addressing eating disorders is often prescription drugs. While rehabilitation is often offered and available, drugs are the accepted first choice among doctors. But drugs only treat the effects. They do not address the basic problem, which is the lack of self-confidence and no anti-depressant can build self-confidence.

What many of them fail to realize is that life always presents challenges and those challenges is what develops character. Personal growth can't occur if those challenges aren't addressed. In order to gain self-confidence, it's necessary to accept life as it is and deal with problems to the best of one's ability. If no action is taken, fears and worries soon lead to depression and anxiety. They freeze the creativity needed to solve problems.

The ability to solve problems enhances self-confidence. Many rich and successful men and women don't allow themselves to wallow in despair. They take action as they know that action breeds self-confidence. The mere act of solving problems dispels the need to rely on food as a crutch to feel better. Few successful people have eating disorders.

If you find yourself stuffing food down your throat, you need to take immediate action before the destructive habit begins to take a toll on your health and safety. The lack of self-confidence leads to spiraling behavior that continues to make the problem worse. The only way is to force yourself to smile and convince yourself that you have a lot to offer and you are doing yourself, your friends and family a great disservice by not using your talents to help them, if not yourself.

Seek out help, but not in another destructive habit. Join helpful groups where you can support one another.

Taking action is the best way to get rid of any eating disorders. It helps clarify your thinking and opens up the possibilities that help you to become as wealthy as any of the rich and famous. Your skills in this sorry world is needed as it will help make it a better place for everyone.

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