Eddie Lamb asked:


Although trite and irreverent, the above “attention grabber” is technically correct. For anyone suffering from Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder, an accredited eating disorder program is essential and life-saving. Without recovery, these people will probably die from the medical complications of their condition. The primary obstacle to recovery via an eating disorder program is the secrecy that always prevails in these disorders.

Sufferers are extremely reluctant to change their pathological eating behavior. Denial of the problem is pervasive and they very rarely seek professional help through an eating disorder program. Most sufferers enter treatment either at the insistence of friends and family, or by physicians when they experience a heart attack, kidney failure, or another medical complication of eating disorders.

How can an Eating Disorder Program Help Me?

The first and most essential step is to stop denying that you have a problem and admitting to yourself and trusted others that you need professional help. An eating disorder is not something you can “fix” by yourself. You need a very structured, on-going eating disorder program, most likely an in-patient program. You need to be hospitalized for maximum benefit from the eating disorder program; being treated as an out-patient gives you ample opportunity to not follow the instructions of the program and thereby failing to recover.

Hospitalization is definitely indicated if your weight is so low from anorexia, it’s life-threatening, or if you are binging and purging (vomiting) several times a day due to bulimia.

Eating disorder programs are very comprehensive. Since the great majority of people who suffer from eating disorders also suffer from depression and/or anxiety, you will be evaluated by a psychiatrist to determine if antidepressant and/or an antianxiety medication would benefit you. All eating disorder programs provide intensive nutritional counseling.

You will, simply, learn how to eat in a normal and healthy manner. You will receive extensive medical treatment for the medical complications, often severe, caused by anorexic and/or bulimic behaviors. If you’re bulimic, you’ll have your teeth evaluated by a dentist. Constant vomiting causes the enamel on your teeth to erode from stomach acids, leading to massive tooth decay and loss.

No eating disorder program is complete without intensive psychotherapy by a team of therapists who habitually treat eating disorders. Individual therapy helps you express the distressing feelings of fear, loneliness, anger, sadness and others that you’ve been self-medicating with food or self-starvation. Your program will include daily group therapy sessions.

You need to know that you’re not alone in your troubles, and receive help and support from others who have “been there.” In group, you can speak rather than remain silent about your disorder. Family therapy is also important in eating disorder programs especially for teenagers.

Parents want to understand your disorder and help you overcome it. With adults, your spouse or relationship partner can also be a tremendous source of support. Most important, in a recovery program that involves friends and/or family, they will learn to immediately recognize the signs that you’ve relapsed back into anorexia and/or bulimia and assist you in seeking aftercare support to get back into recovery.

After you’re discharged from the hospital, eating disorder programs strongly recommend your participation in support groups. These support groups for anorexia, bulimia and binge overeating are run by those who are in long-term recovery, not by professionals. Your continuation of aftercare services is vitally important to prevent relapses. Your in-patient program can help you find a support group that is effective for you.



Gregory

Scott Meyers asked:


Eating disorders represent a range of complex afflictions that can difficult to understand. Even health professionals today do not have a complete understanding of eating disorders. Why? Eating disorders are complex because they touch on almost all aspects of an individual’s life: they can affect a person’s health, psychological well-being, and social life.

Most health professionals agree that eating disorders are caused by a combination of socio-cultural, biological, family, and interpersonal factors. This article provides a brief overview of these different factors that health professionals suspect may be responsible for the onset of an eating disorder in some individuals. Remember, every patient is different, so many of these factors may not come into play for some individuals with eating disorders.

Socio-cultural factors that may precipitate the onset of an eating disorder have to do with the media images presented to the public regarding beauty, health, and weight issues. Even the casual observer can find evidence for the fact that our media culture is obsessed with physical appearance, and issues such as weight loss, slowing the aging process, and the general pursuit of physical perfection. Of course, such perfection is impossible. Many people are not able to achieve the rail-thin standards that are promoted in the media and popular culture. These socio-cultural factors, some experts suggest, may provide the impetus for some individuals who develop eating disorders.

Biological factors that may be responsible for the onset of an eating disorder include a genetic predisposition to certain hormonal imbalances. These include a predisposition to an imbalance in serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is involved in brain function, sleep patterns, and mood. Another biological factor that researchers have identified as possibly contributing to an eating disorder is a propensity in some patients for reduced blood flow to the temporal lobe.

Interpersonal and family factors may also contribute to the onset of an eating disorder. Interpersonal and family factors may include a troubled personal life, including an inability to cope effectively with feelings and personal relationships, a difficulty expressing emotions, substance abuse or alcohol problems, and low self-esteem due to bullying or teasing.

A troubled family life can contribute to the development of an eating disorder. Families that are overcritical or put pressure on certain family members to lose weight can contribute to the development of an eating disorder. Children often mirror their parent’s unhealthy patterns. Parents who magnify the importance of their physical appearance may be unconsciously sending an unhealthy message to their kids. Researchers have found that families with a history of sexual or physical abuse may also be more prone to developing eating disorders.

Other individual factors that can contribute to the development of an eating disorder may include depression, anxiety, and issues related to self-esteem. Also, researchers have found that major life changes can greatly contribute to the onset of eating disorders. Death in the family, change in employment, moving, starting college, the end of a relationship. All of these can trigger the onset of an eating disorder if a person is vulnerable.



Jean

Brooke Hayles asked:


Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa are two of the most common forms of eating disorders. Statistic gathered by the Academy of Eating Disorders state that more than ten percent of women have symptoms, varying in degrees, of eating disorders.

Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder that is defined as having an intense fear of gaining weight. The person who suffers from this disease will do anything it takes not to gain an ounce. If they gain even as much as half a pound, it can send them into a panic and they will stop eating altogether. In extreme cases, the person affected becomes emaciated to the point where hospitalization is required.

Although Anorexia Nervosa is generally found in women, the amount of men that this eating disorder affects is rapidly increasing.

There are several other severe reactions that the body can have to this eating disorder. Women will stop menstruating, and in girls, it can be delayed altogether. Puberty is can be delayed. For boys and men, their *** hormones decrease or in severe cases, disappear completely.

Anorexia Nervosa also has psychological symptoms. Irritability, withdrawal and depression can be found in all victims of this eating disorder. Another symptom of Anorexia Nervosa is that the person afflicted with will develop compulsive eating habits. All food is put into two categories; good and bad.

The person afflicted with this eating disorder are deathly afraid of eating the foods that are in the “Bad food” category.

Often, a person who develops Anorexia Nervosa because they cannot control certain aspects of their life. They feel that the food that they eat is the one thing that they can control.

Bulimia Nervosa is another form of eating disorders. This is different from Anorexia because the person afflicted will binge eat.

This is when the person diets or starves themselves for long periods of time and then eats enough to fulfill their hunger. When they are done eating, they will begin to feel guilty then an intense fear of gaining weight will overcome them and they will purge themselves. To do this, they will either make themselves vomit what they consumed or they will use laxatives to clean out there system. Some who are afflicted with this eating disorder will exercise to the point of exhaustion. Although they think they have it under control, they do not. The cycle will start all over again.

Although those with bulimia maintain a normal body weight, it can still have devastating effect. From vomiting over and over again, a victim of Bulimia can develop esophageal erosion similar to acid reflux disease, as well as the erosion of tooth enamel.

If you are a parent of someone who has either one of these eating disorders, it is critical that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you are not sure your child has these disorders, let a medical professional confirm it or put your fears to rest.

Anorexia and Bulimia are a very private part of the victim’s life. They will have the fear that treatment means weight gain and they will go to any extent for that not to happen.

These eating disorder can be deadly. It is important to recognize the symptoms, and if there are any changes in your child’s eating patterns. If they start to eliminate their favorite foods from their diet ask questions and do not stop until you have a satisfactory answer.

Through the help of a physician medical treatment can be done to correct the physical damage caused. Therapy from a mental health professional one on one and in a group setting is usually the course of treatment, which works hand in hand with a doctor.

Summary:

Anorexia and Bulimia can only be diagnosed and treated by a physician. It is important that you seek treatment as soon as you recognize the symptoms. Part of the treatment will be session, whether private or group, with a psychologist. Group session have shown great results as the people afflicted with these eating disorders share their stories and usually support each other.



Susan

Sandra Kim Leong asked:


Eating disorders are fast becoming a growing and common problem. It is not unusual to open up the newspapers and reading about reports of this condition every other day. Many models, actresses and famous celebrities are also widely known to have eating disorders due to their desire to look good for the camera.

In the United States, statistics show that currently there are approximately between 5 and 10 million women in the United States who suffer from some kind of eating disorder, or are at the borderline of developing one. The wide variance is an indication of many cases that go unreported or undiagnosed. Many prefer not to seek treatment as they mistakenly believe that they do not have a problem.

It is also not true that eating disorders just affect young women. Young women are thought to be most susceptible as they are more concerned about beauty and fashion. However, in reality, people of all ages and from any kind of background can generally be affected. So long as you become obsessed with unhealthy eating patterns, you can be said to be showing symptoms of

this condition. It is estimated that over one million boys and men suffer from some form of eating disorder.

However, there are many experts who believe that this statistic may be distorted because many men with eating disorders are not accurately diagnosed. Studies have shown that many men are told that they are simply exhausted tired or depressed. Doctors fail to think that men can be affected too.

So what are eating disorders? They refer to conditions whereby you have an unhealthy preoccupation with food and body image.

The most common types are anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating. Anorexia describes a condition whereby you just refuse to eat due to an obsession with weight loss. Bulimia is characterized by a cycle of binging and purging that you use to control your weight. Binge eating disorder is an eating disorder that involves sessions of intense overeating followed by feelings of intense guilt. Other disorders that are related to eating disorders include emotional eating and nocturnal eating.

One startling statistic reveals how prevalent eating disorders actually are in the United States. According to recent research, the number of people suffering from an eating disorder is three times as much as the number of people currently living with AIDS. Another statistic tells us that there are three times as many people with eating disorders than there are schizophrenia patients

in the United States.

One of the root causes of eating disorders is the way beauty and body image are constantly being portrayed by the media. Fashion magazines and TV commercials present the ideal American model to be 5′11″ tall and of 117 pounds in weight. Yet, the average modern American woman is 5′4″ tall and weighs approximately 140 pounds. Inevitably, this disparity in the numbers can only result in eating disorders developing so that the perfect body weight and shape can be attained. Who does not want to look like a model?

Even young children nowadays are consumed by thoughts of weight and physical beauty. Recent studies find that about half of all American elementary age school children would like to be thinner, expressing dissatisfaction with their current appearance. Even kindergarten aged children are anxous about their looks and fear gaining weight. Some have even gone on diets so that they can look better. Eating disorders used to be virtually non-existent with young children. It just does not seem that way anymore.



Margaret

Keith George asked:


Anorexia is an eating disorder where people starve themselves and treatment of anorexia is difficult, because people with this disease believe there is nothing wrong with them. Anorexia is one type of eating disorder and another is bulimia. Both are applicable to men but much more common for women. Preteens, girls especially, can develop a serious eating disorder. Eating disorders may begin in children as young as 8 years old.

People with eating disorders really do harmful things to their bodies because of their obsession about their weight. The most widely and rapidly spreading eating disorder is compulsive overeating or binge eating disorder. There are three types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and ED-NOS (Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified). Anorexia is a mental illness, it usually is about a control issue.

If you are on this web site then you probably already know what anorexia is. In one example anorexia is described as a way of gaining attention. It is for sure a condition that leads to problems with eating. The most common form of anorexia is simply satiation following the consumption of food. Central to persons in this condition is an abnormal fear of gaining weight.

If you are suffering from most of the symptons of anorexia, but not really severely or really that noticably, you need medical help anyway. There are also some very unusual symptons like pregnancy symptons. Angina symptons can also be common. Primarily though is the sudden interest in weight loss, food, calories etc. You can have The Eating Attitudes Test which gives an index of the symptons of anorexia nervosa.

There are many treatment centers for persons with eating disorder, but enough. So although eating disorders are rampant in our society, yet few states in the nation have adequate programs or services to combat anorexia nervosa and bulimia. As up to 10 million teens develop eating disorders, abnormal attitudes and behaviors with foods, which include anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. Eating disorders that are literally killing youngsters and adults.

To get a proper treatment you should search for institutions with an Eating Disorders Intensive Counseling Treatment Program to treat these eating disorders. Some also offer Specialized Adolescent Eating Disorder Programs including help for their parents.

In spite of all the treatment availbable there remain a small number, usually girls, who die from this condition despite energetic and expert treatment.

The sooner the treatment is started, the better the chance of recovery. Remember you can make a difference by helping a friend confront her illness and seek treatment. Successful treatment of anorexia requires that the patients symptoms be egodystonic enough for the patient to be motivated to do something about them.

What is appropriate treatment when a person with an eating disorder is also a substance abuser. Some commentators have spoken out against psychiatric treatment of anorexia nervosa in general and, in particular, against compulsory treatment. Treatment of anorexia nervosa is often quite complicated the patient must want to change and must have family and friends to help them.

The motivation for anorexia is the mirror, how do I look. So the best you can say to a person with anorexia is “You don’t look healthy”.



Esther

Heather Colman asked:


Eating disorders are some of the most destructive illnesses today. Although a commonly used term, the meaning is often a source of confusion for many people. Basically, eating disorders happen to people whose diet patterns have gone awry somewhere along the way and ultimately lead to eating habits that are damaging and dangerous.

Even though these disorders have occurred in many as stand alone ailments, they are often accompanied by feelings of rejection and extreme stress.

Many more women than men have eating disorders and it is a cause for alarm in the field of medicine. It often starts with girls eating less to maintain their figures or to look attractive. In doing so, they are not taking in enough of the necessary nutrients their bodies need. As a result of which they don’t get adequate nutrients in their body. The organs in the body are affected and it often leads to a permanent infirmity or even death.

Doctors have come across many different types of eating disorders. Two of the best known are Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. These may occur together or separately. Sometimes people eat too much (which leads to obesity) and sometimes people eat too little (which leads to anorexia), both are exceedingly harmful.

Bulimia is eating of too much of food and then throwing it all up to remain thin. Orthorexia is the mania of eating the correct food. Some people are afraid, at times irrationally so, to eat certain things.

An aberration from the normal course of things, these atypical forms of behavior are disturbing, to say the least as it, disrupts good eating habits, affecting your health in a negative way.

What causes these disorders is the question. There has been much speculation on it. When someone is overly conscious of how he or she looks or how fat or thin he or she is it may very well result in an eating disorder like these. Both excessive love of food and excessive narcissism are often responsible.

The results of an eating disorder are deadly and it is important that a patient is treated with utmost care because the disorder, more often than not, has a psychological explanation. It is not only related to the amount of food one consumes but also why one does it. It is important to uncover the real reasons in order to set the patient on the road to recovery.

Eating disorders can create an emotional toll too. People with this disease are often found to be withdrawn and depressed. Although eating disorders are very dangerous, don’t lose hope. Talk to your doctor about what you’re feeling. That’s the first step on the road to recovery.

Disclaimer: The information presented here should not be interpreted as or substituted for medical advice. Please talk to your doctor to learn more about diagnosis and treatment options for eating disorders.



Floyd