ere the person starves herself. No matter how thin she may be, this person cannot see herself objectively. Bulimia describes a cycle of bingeing, consuming excessive calories, and purging, attempting to rid the body of food. Prolonged anorexia or bulimia can lead to such life-threatening illnesses as bone loss, heart disease, or damage to the kidneys. A young person's growth may be stunted because of lack of nutrition. A woman's infertility may be a result of poor nutritional habits. Though it's true that teenage girls and young women are most affected by such disorders, men and older adults also can suffer from the condition. Neither anorexia nor bulimia is any respecter of persons. Once the condition has been accurately diagnosed, it's very important for the individual to seek eating disorder therapy to restore both psychological and physical health.
Early detection of anorexia and bulimia can help ease the recovery process. However, early detection is often hindered because parents and educators aren't aware of the warning signs. Many people also assume that someone who is extremely thin is anorexic. This may or may not be true. What surprises some people is that even a person whose weight is ideal or who is overweight may have an eating disorder. Another problem is that teenagers usually go through a period of being obsessed with their appearance. Parents need to know their kids well enough to distinguish between normal teenage self-consciousness and an unhealthy obsession. The latter requires eating disorder therapy and the sooner the better. The warning signs for anorexia include skipping meals and an obsession with counting calories or weighing portions. The person may consider even her favorite foods to be revolting or disgusting. Individuals with bulimia may eat a normal meal, or way too much. But then they disappear, often going to the bathroom to vomit up what they've eaten. Bulimics also rely on obsessive exercise, fasting, and laxatives to rid their bodies of food.
One word continues to pop up in a discussion of eating disorders and that word is "obsession." Appropriate eating disorder therapy can help the patient uncover the underlying cause of the obsession with food. It can be difficult to understand how a condition that revolves around food has so little to do with food. Instead, there are usually psychological issues involving control, shame, and helplessness. Cultural issues may also play a part, especially in countries such as the U.S. where youth is idolized. As the mom of every toddler knows, one person really can't control what another person does or doesn't eat. Obsessing about food and appearance is one way for an individual to gain a sense of power. Through treatment, the patient can learn about the psychological and cultural causes of anorexia and bulimia. She can also learn important coping skills to replace her inappropriate obsessions. There are a wide range of eating disorder therapy programs to help patients recover from their conditions.
Food has an appropriate place in our lives and, of course, is necessary for survival. But it should not be the primary focus for anyone. The apostle Paul wrote: "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them" (1 Corinthians 6:12-13a). Those with anorexia and bulimia need eating disorder therapy programs to help them get out from the power of what they do and do not eat. In severe cases, the individual may need to be hospitalized and perhaps even fed intravenously. But when disorders are caught in earlier stages, before too much physiological damage has been done, less desperate strategies can be recommended. Many patients are assisted through individual programs that include medical screenings, counseling, and nutritional support. Residential programs provide a sanctuary away from the outside world and allow the patient needed time to recover. In addition to an individual treatment plan, the patient may also participate in group sessions.
More information on eating disorder therapy programs can be found on numerous websites. Parents and educators can learn the warning signs of both anorexia and bulimia. Some sites provide important "do's and don't's" for family members and friends of those who are suffering from food disorders. These sites emphasize the importance of nonjudgmental compassion and the avoidance of blame. Again, it's so important for family members and educators to look for the warning signs to prevent additional psychological and physiological harm. Some organizations sponsor programs that counter the cultural image that equates beauty with skinny bones. These programs are especially helpful for susceptible young girls who need to learn that true beauty comes from healthy eating and appropriate exercise. Some professional medical groups conduct research studies to help improve eating disorder therapy programs and provide additional educational resources. These serious disorders can be treated, but the treatment takes time and persistence. Support groups can help both patients and family members cope with the illness. Online forums and chat rooms are available on some internet sites. These provide a way for people to discuss their situations with others in a safe, nonjudgmental place.
Early detection of anorexia and bulimia can help ease the recovery process. However, early detection is often hindered because parents and educators aren't aware of the warning signs. Many people also assume that someone who is extremely thin is anorexic. This may or may not be true. What surprises some people is that even a person whose weight is ideal or who is overweight may have an eating disorder. Another problem is that teenagers usually go through a period of being obsessed with their appearance. Parents need to know their kids well enough to distinguish between normal teenage self-consciousness and an unhealthy obsession. The latter requires eating disorder therapy and the sooner the better. The warning signs for anorexia include skipping meals and an obsession with counting calories or weighing portions. The person may consider even her favorite foods to be revolting or disgusting. Individuals with bulimia may eat a normal meal, or way too much. But then they disappear, often going to the bathroom to vomit up what they've eaten. Bulimics also rely on obsessive exercise, fasting, and laxatives to rid their bodies of food.
One word continues to pop up in a discussion of eating disorders and that word is "obsession." Appropriate eating disorder therapy can help the patient uncover the underlying cause of the obsession with food. It can be difficult to understand how a condition that revolves around food has so little to do with food. Instead, there are usually psychological issues involving control, shame, and helplessness. Cultural issues may also play a part, especially in countries such as the U.S. where youth is idolized. As the mom of every toddler knows, one person really can't control what another person does or doesn't eat. Obsessing about food and appearance is one way for an individual to gain a sense of power. Through treatment, the patient can learn about the psychological and cultural causes of anorexia and bulimia. She can also learn important coping skills to replace her inappropriate obsessions. There are a wide range of eating disorder therapy programs to help patients recover from their conditions.
Food has an appropriate place in our lives and, of course, is necessary for survival. But it should not be the primary focus for anyone. The apostle Paul wrote: "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them" (1 Corinthians 6:12-13a). Those with anorexia and bulimia need eating disorder therapy programs to help them get out from the power of what they do and do not eat. In severe cases, the individual may need to be hospitalized and perhaps even fed intravenously. But when disorders are caught in earlier stages, before too much physiological damage has been done, less desperate strategies can be recommended. Many patients are assisted through individual programs that include medical screenings, counseling, and nutritional support. Residential programs provide a sanctuary away from the outside world and allow the patient needed time to recover. In addition to an individual treatment plan, the patient may also participate in group sessions.
More information on eating disorder therapy programs can be found on numerous websites. Parents and educators can learn the warning signs of both anorexia and bulimia. Some sites provide important "do's and don't's" for family members and friends of those who are suffering from food disorders. These sites emphasize the importance of nonjudgmental compassion and the avoidance of blame. Again, it's so important for family members and educators to look for the warning signs to prevent additional psychological and physiological harm. Some organizations sponsor programs that counter the cultural image that equates beauty with skinny bones. These programs are especially helpful for susceptible young girls who need to learn that true beauty comes from healthy eating and appropriate exercise. Some professional medical groups conduct research studies to help improve eating disorder therapy programs and provide additional educational resources. These serious disorders can be treated, but the treatment takes time and persistence. Support groups can help both patients and family members cope with the illness. Online forums and chat rooms are available on some internet sites. These provide a way for people to discuss their situations with others in a safe, nonjudgmental place.
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