All successful anorexia nervosa treatment programs utilize the skills and knowledge of a team of medical professionals: mental health, medical, registered dieticians, and family counselors. Anorexia nervosa is defined as a serious eating disorder. For the most part, the disorder affects primarily teenage girls and women in their twenties, but it can affect anyone. According to a website that provides information about anorexia, the disorder is characterized by a pathological fear of weight gain. This fear leads to faulty eating patterns, malnutrition, and excessive weight loss. Many medical experts claim the disorder will not simply disappear or go away by itself. A highly structured anorexia nervosa treatment program and support system is needed to treat the disorder. Currently, there are no medications to treat eating disorders of any type. However, mediations can be used to treat problems associated with faulty eating habits, such as depression. For the most part, intense therapy combined with education is the only course of action available.
The four medical team members of the anorexia nervosa treatment program all work toward one common goal, but use different methods and techniques to attain a healthy body and mind of the person in their care. Psychological counseling helps the person with the eating disorder learn healthy ways to think about food and her body. Medical professionals help with any health related issues that have resulted from malnutrition or starvation. A registered dietician helps develop healthy eating patterns. Finally, a family therapist strives to educate parents and family members about the destructive characteristics of the illness, and how proper diet and exercise are essential to achieving optimal health. Well designed anorexia nervosa treatment programs are joint efforts. Fortunately, there is one more team member: God. The spirit will suffer along with the body and mind, so seek God's guidance and counsel. Ask a pastor to be part of the recovery plan, and make prayer an integral part of the treatment program.
If the eating disorder is not treated quickly and a person's weight drops to dangerous levels, hospitalization may be required to restore healthy weight and eating habits. Hospitalization may be the only option, if health problems have occurred because of malnutrition or starvation. Many websites providing information on anorexia nervosa treatment suggest that people who are 15 percent or more under what is considered a healthy weight for their age and height will have a difficult time gaining weight without professional assistance. And people who are 25 percent or more under a healthy body weight will likely require hospitalization to restore health. A typical characteristic of eating disorders is that a person may not even realize there is a problem. Well, the young woman may realize there is a problem, but it's not low body weight. The suffering person's understanding of the problem is distorted. Generally, she will see herself as being too fat no matter how skinny or wasted her body actually has become. Therefore, intervention by a friend, family member, teacher, or church member is often required before an anorexia nervosa treatment program is started. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones." (Proverbs 3: 5:8)
Unfortunately, malnutrition and starvation are direct results of anorexia nervosa. Once malnutrition starts to break down the body, medical treatment is the primary concern of the anorexia nervosa treatment team. One website lists several signs of malnutrition. Obviously, low body weight is one of the visible signs. But some symptoms and signals are not easily seen by others. For example, a malnourished person may have low blood pressure and a slow heartbeat. The person may also feel cold all the time and have purplish skin from poor circulation. Dry skin, brittle nails, thinning hair, and shrunken breasts are signs, too. Stopping or never getting a monthly period is also an indication of malnutrition. Since some of the warning signs are not outwardly visible, concerned family and friends must probe for more information, if an eating disorder is suspected.
Although the list of health related problems is extensive; osteoporosis, heart problems, and depression are three of the primary health concerns. Again, many signs and symptoms of the disorder are clear and obvious, but parents, family, and friends have to be knowledgeable about what to look for and take the initiative to get seek out an anorexia nervosa treatment program, if a problem is suspected. A person with an eating disorder has a fear of gaining weight, and she may see her body as overweight. Causes of the illness vary from person to person. But an overwhelming desire to change body image is the root of the problem. A young woman may believe she has to look like women seen on television, in an advertisement, or at school to be accepted. To achieve the desired body image a person may be restricting or excluding certain types of food or being secretive about eating habits. Over exercising is a red flag as well. Many people fighting with eating disorders resort to vomiting, laxatives, and diuretics to lose weight. All these methods are potentially dangerous. Vomiting can reduce teeth enamel. Laxatives can cause dependency or constipation once they are discontinued. Diuretics can cause dehydration and an electrolyte imbalance. And none really accomplish what the person intends.
The four medical team members of the anorexia nervosa treatment program all work toward one common goal, but use different methods and techniques to attain a healthy body and mind of the person in their care. Psychological counseling helps the person with the eating disorder learn healthy ways to think about food and her body. Medical professionals help with any health related issues that have resulted from malnutrition or starvation. A registered dietician helps develop healthy eating patterns. Finally, a family therapist strives to educate parents and family members about the destructive characteristics of the illness, and how proper diet and exercise are essential to achieving optimal health. Well designed anorexia nervosa treatment programs are joint efforts. Fortunately, there is one more team member: God. The spirit will suffer along with the body and mind, so seek God's guidance and counsel. Ask a pastor to be part of the recovery plan, and make prayer an integral part of the treatment program.
If the eating disorder is not treated quickly and a person's weight drops to dangerous levels, hospitalization may be required to restore healthy weight and eating habits. Hospitalization may be the only option, if health problems have occurred because of malnutrition or starvation. Many websites providing information on anorexia nervosa treatment suggest that people who are 15 percent or more under what is considered a healthy weight for their age and height will have a difficult time gaining weight without professional assistance. And people who are 25 percent or more under a healthy body weight will likely require hospitalization to restore health. A typical characteristic of eating disorders is that a person may not even realize there is a problem. Well, the young woman may realize there is a problem, but it's not low body weight. The suffering person's understanding of the problem is distorted. Generally, she will see herself as being too fat no matter how skinny or wasted her body actually has become. Therefore, intervention by a friend, family member, teacher, or church member is often required before an anorexia nervosa treatment program is started. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones." (Proverbs 3: 5:8)
Unfortunately, malnutrition and starvation are direct results of anorexia nervosa. Once malnutrition starts to break down the body, medical treatment is the primary concern of the anorexia nervosa treatment team. One website lists several signs of malnutrition. Obviously, low body weight is one of the visible signs. But some symptoms and signals are not easily seen by others. For example, a malnourished person may have low blood pressure and a slow heartbeat. The person may also feel cold all the time and have purplish skin from poor circulation. Dry skin, brittle nails, thinning hair, and shrunken breasts are signs, too. Stopping or never getting a monthly period is also an indication of malnutrition. Since some of the warning signs are not outwardly visible, concerned family and friends must probe for more information, if an eating disorder is suspected.
Although the list of health related problems is extensive; osteoporosis, heart problems, and depression are three of the primary health concerns. Again, many signs and symptoms of the disorder are clear and obvious, but parents, family, and friends have to be knowledgeable about what to look for and take the initiative to get seek out an anorexia nervosa treatment program, if a problem is suspected. A person with an eating disorder has a fear of gaining weight, and she may see her body as overweight. Causes of the illness vary from person to person. But an overwhelming desire to change body image is the root of the problem. A young woman may believe she has to look like women seen on television, in an advertisement, or at school to be accepted. To achieve the desired body image a person may be restricting or excluding certain types of food or being secretive about eating habits. Over exercising is a red flag as well. Many people fighting with eating disorders resort to vomiting, laxatives, and diuretics to lose weight. All these methods are potentially dangerous. Vomiting can reduce teeth enamel. Laxatives can cause dependency or constipation once they are discontinued. Diuretics can cause dehydration and an electrolyte imbalance. And none really accomplish what the person intends.
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