Eating disorders are not really about weight or food. They are related to emotional issues. A person suffering in this way uses food to deal with their emotions. Restricting food intake helps them to feel in control. Overeating temporarily offers comfort and assuages pain and loneliness. Purging combats self-hate and helplessness. These illnesses can last for many years, having a debilitating effect on the sufferers and their families. According to research, seeking eating disorder help as soon as possible offers sufferers a better chance of recovery.
One cannot tell if a person has such a problem just by looking at them. People suffering from such disorders usually do their best to hide it. However, there are certain warning signs. One of the most evident warning signs of anorexia is repeated restriction of food intake and frequent excuses for not eating. Obsessively counting calories, eating tiny portions and taking diet pills are other warning signs.
Bulimics who binge and then purge also exhibit certain telltale behavior such as stashing quantities of junk food. They will spend time in the bathroom after every meal. They may exercise frantically and use laxatives or diuretics. There may even be physical signs such as discoloration of their teeth from exposure to stomach acid when throwing up.
Treatment is needed for these disorders before devastating, irreparable damage is caused both physically and emotionally. It is not easy to address the problem, particularly as sufferers are often defensive. They will often deny that they have a problem.
It is not always easy to address and requires a calm, loving but firm approach. Sufferers may react defensively and deny they have a problem. It is important not to give up on them. Professional help is needed to obtain a diagnosis and to assess what medical condition the sufferer is in. Once a proper evaluation has been done, a sufferer will most likely be treated as an outpatient.
Treatment often involves a combined approach of individual therapy, group therapy, nutritional support and psychiatric care. Nutritional advice may involve designing meal plans and formulating goals of how to reach a healthy body weight. Therapy helps with exploring underlying issues and a peer-led support group can give the sufferer a safe place to verbalize feelings about food, share experiences and reduce the shame being felt.
In an outpatient setting, patients remain with their families and continue to attend school or work. Inpatient care may be needed when the disorder becomes worse despite outpatient treatment. If the person has already reached the point where he or she is severely undernourished with resulting medical problems, hospitalization is necessary.
Recovering from these disorders does not happen overnight. Patience is required and pressure from loved ones to achieve unrealistic goals can cause setbacks. They need to remember that each tiny step forward is progress in the right direction.
One cannot tell if a person has such a problem just by looking at them. People suffering from such disorders usually do their best to hide it. However, there are certain warning signs. One of the most evident warning signs of anorexia is repeated restriction of food intake and frequent excuses for not eating. Obsessively counting calories, eating tiny portions and taking diet pills are other warning signs.
Bulimics who binge and then purge also exhibit certain telltale behavior such as stashing quantities of junk food. They will spend time in the bathroom after every meal. They may exercise frantically and use laxatives or diuretics. There may even be physical signs such as discoloration of their teeth from exposure to stomach acid when throwing up.
Treatment is needed for these disorders before devastating, irreparable damage is caused both physically and emotionally. It is not easy to address the problem, particularly as sufferers are often defensive. They will often deny that they have a problem.
It is not always easy to address and requires a calm, loving but firm approach. Sufferers may react defensively and deny they have a problem. It is important not to give up on them. Professional help is needed to obtain a diagnosis and to assess what medical condition the sufferer is in. Once a proper evaluation has been done, a sufferer will most likely be treated as an outpatient.
Treatment often involves a combined approach of individual therapy, group therapy, nutritional support and psychiatric care. Nutritional advice may involve designing meal plans and formulating goals of how to reach a healthy body weight. Therapy helps with exploring underlying issues and a peer-led support group can give the sufferer a safe place to verbalize feelings about food, share experiences and reduce the shame being felt.
In an outpatient setting, patients remain with their families and continue to attend school or work. Inpatient care may be needed when the disorder becomes worse despite outpatient treatment. If the person has already reached the point where he or she is severely undernourished with resulting medical problems, hospitalization is necessary.
Recovering from these disorders does not happen overnight. Patience is required and pressure from loved ones to achieve unrealistic goals can cause setbacks. They need to remember that each tiny step forward is progress in the right direction.
About the Author:
When you are looking for eating disorder help from a professional psychoanalyst, turn to the recommended website right now. Don't struggle with your eating habit and get the advice you need from http://www.winthedietwarpodcast.com.