Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by a refusal to maintain minimal body weight within 15 percent of a body weight defined as normal. People with this disorder exhibit an intense fear of gaining weight, an extremely distorted body image, and absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles, or amenorrhea.
Anorexics typically ignore their hunger and control their natural desires to eat, engage in obsessive exercise, and are often in denial about their condition. This denial persists even after their weight dips to dangerous, life threatening levels.
Anorexia is typically treated with therapy, which allows the patient to express their feelings and emotions that are normally sublimated by the self-imposed dietary restriction regimen. One of the most difficult challenges of treating this disorder is helping the patient to view food in a positive way, since the self discipline and self imposed controls can be hard to break, and doing so is often seen in the minds of those with this condition, as a sign of weakness.
Common treatments for Anorexia include inpatient care, closely aided and supervised by a team of doctors, nutritionists, and therapists, and outpatient care. Through hospitalization, patients are able to recognize and develop healthy eating patterns, and cope with their thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
When outpatient care is selected as an option, the patient receives the same amount of attention and treatment, band may undergo periods of partial hospitalization, but live at home for the majority of the course of their treatment. When young patients are involved, counseling sessions often expand to include the extended family, and other treatments and therapies may be modified as well.
Eating disorders take a serious toll on both the body and the mind, but with proper treatment and support, anorexics can recover and lead happy, fulfilled lives. If you know someone who has anorexia, or if you suspect it, lend them your support and encouragement during this difficult time in their lives.
The cycle of eating disorders can be broken, but it takes dedication and effort on the part of both the patient and those closest to them to make this possible. Don not let someone you love and care about suffer alone. Help them find a quality treatment program today.
Bulimia Nervosa is another common eating disorder, characterized by a consistent cycle of binging. (eating large amounts of food in a short time) and purging ( self induced vomiting) Binging is often done to cope with feelings of shame and guilt, which return as soon as the binging is completed. Purging is accomplished by laxative abuse, excessive and strenuous exercising, periods of eating very little or nothing at all, and self induced vomiting techniques.
Contrary to popular stereotypes, anyone, from any socioeconomic or ethnic background has the potential to become bulimic. Men, as well as women can become bulimic, though this disorder does typically impact women more significantly. Binges can be triggered by anger, sadness, stress, and major life events.
Cultural pressures also play a part in the behaviors and actions of a bulimic. Women n the United States are under constant pressure to be extremely thin, even though the ideal is very unrealistic. It has also been theorized that bulimia and other eating disorders run in families, since it has been shown that people with bulimia also have parents and other relatives who are also bulimic. Low self esteem and poor self-image can also trigger bulimia, and genes, hormones, and chemical imbalances in the brain can also trigger bulimia and other eating disorders.
Bulimia can be difficult to diagnose, since those suffering from this disorder may appear thin, overweight, or of average weight, and may show no outward signs. There are, however signs to be aware of. Using diet pills, frequent visits to the bathroom, swollen cheeks and jaws, rough skin at the base of the knuckles, teeth that look very clear, and broken blood vessels around the mouth are all potential signs.
Successful treatment of this disorder depends on early diagnosis and treatment and the support of those close to the patient. Bulimia, like other eating disorders tends to create an attitude of not only self hatred, but self isolation as well. This cycle can be hard to break, but it is not impossible, and when you consider the genetic component that some researchers feel is associated with this condition, it is easy to see why many therapy sessions also include the patients immediate family as well, particularly in the case of younger patients.
Eating disorders are painful both emotionally and physically, but with the proper therapy, support, and treatment, a return to health is possible. Bulimia nervosa is a serious condition, so if you knows someone whom you believe is suffering from it, take the necessary steps to get them the help they need today.
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