Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by not eating and excessive weight loss. For people with anorexia, the desire to lose weight becomes an all-consuming obsession. It has three main characteristics: the inability or refusal to have a healthy body weight, the fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image. [3] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source People with bulimia nervosa have recurrent binge eating obsessions and then use various purging methods, such as vomiting or laxative abuse, in order to keep themselves from gaining weight as a result of binge eating. Binge-eating disorder occurs when a person eats large amounts of food impulsively. Unlike bulimia, people with a binge eating disorder do not purge afterwards, although they may diet sporadically because of guilt, self-hatred or shame.
If you are interested in learning more about eating disorders, research these conditions on reputable sites such as the National Eating Disorders Association, the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.
Simply put, if you do not have something positive or encouraging to say about yourself or someone else, avoid saying anything at all. Words can hurt. You might be just kidding around but the people who are listening might take your words to heart. Stand out against others (i. e. friends, family, co-workers, the media, etc. ) who body-shame. And, make a choice to promote those who highlight something positive about all bodies. “Diet culture” is cultural trend where we place a high value on people’s appearance—especially their physical fitness—and prize dieting for weight loss. However, dieting isn’t the same as following a nutritious diet, and you can’t tell how healthy someone is just by looking at them. [6] X Research source Dina Garcia, RD, LDN, CLT. Dietician/Nutritionist.
You’re underweight (less than 85 percent of the accepted norm for your age and height). Your health is poor – you’ve noticed that you bruise easily, you have no energy, your skin is pale and sallow and your hair is dull and dry. You’re dizzy, you feel the cold much more than others (bad circulation), your eyes are dry, your tongue is swollen, your gums are bleeding, and you’re retaining water a lot. If you are female and you’ve missed three or more menstrual cycles. For bulimia some additional signs may be that you have teeth marks on the back of your fingers, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and swollen joints.
If someone told you that you’re underweight, you wouldn’t believe them and you’d even argue the opposite; and you may not be able to take any suggestions about your being underweight seriously. You’re prone to wearing baggy or loose clothing to try to hide a sudden or dramatic weight loss. You’re making excuses not to be present at meals or you’ve found ways to eat very little, hide the food or throw it up afterward You’re obsessed with diets, talking about dieting and with finding ways to eat less food. You’re terrified of being or getting “fat;” you’re harsh on yourself about your shape and weight. You’re following a grueling and punishing exercise regimen that could be viewed as over-exercising. You’re avoiding relationships or going out with people.
The best treatment approach for managing eating disorders is some form of therapy or psychological counseling in conjunction with close management of medical and nutritional needs. [7] X Trustworthy Source National Eating Disorders Association Nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and communities affected by eating disorders Go to source [8] X Research source When you attend therapy, you can expect: To be listened to respectfully. To have a chance to tell your entire story and to ask for targeted help. To be released from the pressures family and friends might be placing on you. A therapist can act as a buffer and a counselor for them, too, or, at the very least, teach you coping strategies during the healing process and how to overcome conflicts within the family setting. To be treated as someone valuable and to be reassured that, with the right tools in place, you can get well again.
Is there an area in you life in which you feel out of control?[11] X Trustworthy Source National Eating Disorders Association Nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and communities affected by eating disorders Go to source Have there been recent changes in your life that you don’t like (divorce, moving to a new city) but you cannot control? Have you been abused physically, emotionally, or sexually?[12] X Trustworthy Source National Eating Disorders Association Nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and communities affected by eating disorders Go to source Does your family have rigid standards of perfection? Is your family over-protective, controlling, and lack boundaries?[13] X Research source Are your parents uninvolved in or detached from your life?[14] X Research source Are you comparing yourself to others? Media images are the worst culprits in this instance but also friends, popular people and people you look up to can be a source of comparison. Do you eat junk food or eat more when you are emotional? If so, this may have become a habit that kicks in unconsciously and has taken the place of more appropriate self-soothing activities such as challenging negative self-talk or learning to praise yourself for all the good you do. [15] X Research source Dina Garcia, RD, LDN, CLT. Dietician/Nutritionist. Do you think having a thinner body will allow you to perform better in your sport? While some sports, like swimming or gymnastics, may favor smaller, lithe bodies (pertaining to women), keep in mind that many other factors go into determining who is successful in any sport. No sport is worth sacrificing your health for.
Ask yourself what you might be going through. Are you comparing yourself to models in magazines? Are you under tons of stress (school/college/work, family issues, peer pressure)? Write down the rituals around food that you’ve developed and how you feel about these. Write down your feelings about your struggle to control your eating patterns. If you’re manipulating people to deceive them and hide your behaviors, how does that affect your relationships and closeness with others? Explore this issue in your food journal. Write down things that you have accomplished in your life. It will help you to better realize what you have done. Such a list will make you feel better about yourself when you see the good things add up.
Learn to express your feelings out loud, and be okay with the feelings that you have. Being assertive is not about being arrogant or self-absorbed – it’s about letting others know that you’re valuable too and deserve to be valued in turn. One of the key factors underlying many disorders is an unwillingness or an inability to stand up for oneself and to fully express one’s own feelings and preferences. Once this becomes a habit, the loss of assertion makes you feel less worthy and less able to move through conflict and unhappiness. As a result, the disorder becomes a crutch of sorts that “orders” things (albeit in a very skewed and unhealthy way).
Do something you have long wanted to do but haven’t yet made the time or arrangements to do. Take a class to learn something new that you have always wanted to try, start a blog or website, pick up a musical instrument, go on a vacation, or read a book or series of books. Alternative treatments may be useful in helping with an eating disorder. Talk to your health care provider about the possibility of trying activities like meditation, yoga, massage, or acupuncture. [18] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Get quality sleep and institute a healthy sleeping routine. Sleep can restore both your perspective and your energy. If you’re not getting enough sleep already due to stress and worry, explore ways to improve your sleep routine.
Let your clothes be your indicator rather than your scale. Choose your most favorite outfits that are in the healthy weight range and use them as the barometer of looking good and being at a healthy weight.
If you are severely underweight, taking baby steps will not be possible. In such cases, you will likely be hospitalized and placed on nutritional regimen to ensure your body is getting the essential nutrients it needs.
Educate yourself on the eating disorder by reading about it. Be prepared to do all you can to get the sufferer into appropriate professional treatment as quickly as possible. Also be prepared to support the treatment process and to be a helper or supporter if needed.
Be a source of calm in their life. Avoid exaggerating, displaying shock or ranting. For example, avoid assigning blame like “I knew you shouldn’t have been hanging with those girls. They are all underweight. "
See How to listen for more tips on active listening. Be affectionate, caring and open. Love them for who they are.
Avoid demanding that they gain weight. Never humiliate or blame the sufferer for their eating disorder. This is well beyond willpower. Avoid making jokes about body weight or other things that your friend could take the wrong way.
Avoid demanding that they gain weight. Never humiliate or blame the sufferer for their eating disorder. This is well beyond willpower. Avoid making jokes about body weight or other things that your friend could take the wrong way.
Most of this section presumes that the person with an eating disorder is either a child or an adolescent, but adult children or household members can be substituted for most of these steps too.
Show affection and kindness. The person needs to know they are loved. “I love you ____. We are all going to get through this together. " Support the therapy process but don’t try to invade your loved one’s privacy or take control of it. Don’t ask intrusive questions, don’t address the issue of weight directly with them and if you have specific concerns, raise them directly with the therapist or doctor.
Your child will recognize your concern if, instead of rushing them, you just let them know that your door is always open if they need to talk. “I know that you are confused. I understand that you may need time to process all that’s going on. I just want you to know that I am here for you and you can talk to me about anything. “[20] X Research source
Don’t try to limit the sufferer’s food intake, unless you have been specifically told to do so by a medical professional.
Encourage open communication from a young age. Teach the child or adolescent to communicate with you openly and honestly, and talk to them in the same way. If they don’t feel like they have to hide anything, a key element of eating disorders is already removed.
Help your child accept and appreciate their body. Encourage physical exercise and self-confidence in their body from a young age. Explain the importance of flexibility and strength created through exercise and help them to gain an appreciation of being outdoors and in nature by taking frequent walks, bike rides, hikes and runs together. If you can, participate in family running, biking, or triathlon events so that the children grow up seeing activity as healthy and bonding.
