How to Cure a New Generation Disease ‘Anorexia Nervosa’?

Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder problem which is characterized by losing weight. A systematic process should be followed for the treatment of this new generation disease. Legitimate mental health professionals, dieticians and doctors who have expertise in eating disorders should be approached for the treatment. Nutritional education and therapy are important for continued recovery. In case the patient’s life is a threatening position then he might need treatment in a hospital because of medical complications and frequent refusal to eat. Proper medical care should be taken during the process. The main aim of Anorexia is going back to the healthy weight. Patient’s primary care Doctor will help to keep the weight gain under control. Patient can return to healthy weight with the support of family members as they play a vital role in maintaining eating habits. Changing eating habits will have a huge effect rather than medicines in getting cured.

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How long does it take to recover from Bulimia?

Bulimia is also known as bulimia nervosa this eating disorder is outlined by Binge eating disorder is falter by purging which means getting relieved by the food the patient has consumed. The time factor to cure from bulimia varies from person to person. Some patient’s readiness and motivation to change is so high that they can instantly quit everything and on the other hand some people can take weeks or months to be cured. The patient should look at it as a process that starts by stopping the incorrect behaviors, also the patient’s strengths play a vital role in the process of recovery from Bulimia. One must acquire help from friends or family so that the process of recovery becomes much easier. The process of getting cured from this disorder doesn’t happens immediately it gets better with time.

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How to Choose the Right Binge Eating Disorder Treatment Facility

“Consuming larger amount of food in shorter duration of time” is known as Binge eating disorder. This should be treated immediately without any delay from the genuine clinic otherwise it can lead to the risk of permanent injury or death. With proper treatment these risks can be eventually decreased. To choose the right treatment facility following factors should be considered, firstly approach only the genuine psychologists who have license and expertise in binge eating disorder, secondly the clinical staff should be both qualified and experienced and the team should have a legitimate nutritionist and a dietician. If the above conditions are satisfied there are a few things which should be clarified to confirm the taken decision. The clinic should have the expertise in treating the kind of binge eating disorder. The program in the clinic should be best for the patient and gender specific. Detoxification services should also be available in the clinic.

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Affordable Ways to Get Help for Eating Disorder Treatments

“Acceptance” the most crucial as well as an important factor to recover from eating disorder problems. Any patient who develops eating disorder problems can recover from it by first accepting it, this seems to be a challenging part but it will lead to success. The next thing you should follow is give up unhealthy eating behavior and beyond that you should be able to cope up with the emotional pain you go through and most importantly love yourselves during this phase. If the problem looks serious which sometimes can be, then a systematic as well as an organized approach should be managed. A patient should talk about the problem with someone they feel comfortable with. Patient can also get a treatment/therapy such as nutritional counseling, individual therapy and medical monitoring. Eating disorder can get over if a patient keeps a positive relationship with food during and after the treatment.

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All Emotions are Welcomed

At times, people judge themselves for who they are. They judge themselves for having emotions which are negative and self-destructive, but it never happens that people are pushing aside their negative emotions and bringing in more and more positive ones. People don’t want to talk about their pains, feelings, failure and disappointments in order to not get alone or ashamed. The blog explores how people who go through eating disorders are usually the ones who want to run away from their circumstances and sit in a bottomless pit caressing their feelings. Humans have emotions and it is not necessary that these emotions would be pleasant always. In fact, emotions are not good or bad. But they can get bad if they are not expressed in time. Usually people end up isolating themselves and this is the most maladaptive coping technique. People need to come out and accept and express all emotions.

 

 

In Sickness and Health: How Eating Disorders Impact Relationships

Eating disorders can also affect the patients’ relationships according to this post. An eating disorder leads to complicated mental health issues which can eventually wreak havoc to the relationships as well. It can get really challenging in case you or your partner or both of you are suffering from this disorder. Women tend to get isolated from their partners and also may seem overly concerned about her appearance and weight and body. In this scenario these women have an eating disorder where they do not eat anything or very lesser than what is actually required. Men suffering from this disorder may over-eating order to avoid the stress. It is better, that you and your partner must seek therapy and get over this eating disorder. Once you recover, your relationships automatically get healed.

 

 

Adolescents and Eating Disorders: The Risks of Postponing Treatment

Postponing the treatment does more harm than good. People suffering from eating disorders such as Bulimia, anorexia or even binge-eating disorder need to get themselves treated. These are emotional and mental illnesses which people try to overcome by eating a lot of food. Food that sends them in a euphoria and having too much or too less of it can lead to eating disorder. It requires to be treated as early as possible. People usually postpone these treatments due to many reasons such as lack of resources, the uncertainty of where to ask for help, afraid of a child leaving the house for treatment and so on. Eventually this delay in treatment leads to PTSD, OCD and substance abuse and addiction. It is important that the gap between the patients and their disorders need to be plugged and this can only be done once they are put in facilities which treat their disorders.

 

 

What My Eating Disorder Won’t Let Me Say: Letter from my Teenage Self

Dear family, friends, healthcare professionals, teachers, and coaches:

          Please be my hope holder. I have eaten food out of trashcans. I have stolen food. I feel horrible, disgusting, and oh so ashamed. I desperately need you to believe in me, because, honestly, sometimes I think that I’m going crazy. My world is spinning out of control, yet, amidst this inner turmoil, I somehow look okay.

          You can’t tell how I’m doing by looking. Sure, I wear a smile, and, my resume seems to indicate that I have a bright future ahead. Physically, I even “look normal,” friends say. I might not appear sick or malnourished, but I am. A body size isn’t an accurate barometer for pain and suffering. Neither is an official eating disorder diagnosis or lack thereof.

          I’m more than a diagnostic label. While 1 in 200 adults in the United States have experienced full-blown anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder, at least 1 in 20 (1 in 10 teen girls) have suffered with key symptoms—and need help. Not every eating disorder fits neatly into a little diagnostic package. Lesser-known eating disorders are not less than. In fact, Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder, OSFED, can be just as serious, or more so, than other eating disorders. No matter what diagnostic code my insurance company denotes by my name, I deserve recovery. (Sometimes, I need you to remind me of this.)

          Recovery feels backward. Imagine trying to do everything with your non-dominant hand. If you are right-handed, write with your left hand. This is how uncomfortable, how unnatural, recovery feels. As strange as it may sound, bingeing, purging, and restricting have helped me to navigate life. Eating disorders serve all kinds of purposes, including coping with anxiety, avoiding underlying depression, and pushing down past traumas. In this way, an eating disorder isn’t about food at all. Paradoxically, to heal, food is the best medicine.

          I can’t “just eat.” This is why I need help from experts. Something as seemingly simple and biologically driven as fueling my body (babies do it) feels impossible. I can’t just eat any more than a cancer patient can magically make dangerous cells just disappear. An eating disorder, like cancer, is a life-threatening illness that requires immediate attention.

          I might refuse help. I don’t want to be a burden. I feel guilty for spending money on treatment. Not to mention, I don’t believe that I am sick enough to deserve help. (Remember how I said that I’d need you to remind me that I am indeed deserving.) If my eating disorder were just a phase that I could stop, I would have by now. I don’t like to admit it, but I am still just a kid. I am a kid with a starving brain, one that can easily lose sight of this whole recovery thing

          Full recovery is possible. Apparently, I wasn’t born with an eating disorder but rather traits that made me vulnerable. I am learning that these traits, like perfectionism and persistence, aren’t inherently bad, but that I can use them for good. Being perfectionistic means that I am motivated and driven. What if I could use these beautiful traits in the service of recovery—and life—rather than my eating disorder?

          Recovery can bring us closer together. We hear a lot about how eating disorders tear relationships apart, but we don’t hear enough about how recovery can bring people together. You didn’t cause my eating disorder, but you can do a lot to help me get better.

          It’s not your fault. Nothing you did—or didn’t do—caused my eating disorder. Fifty to 80 percent of eating disorder risk is genetic and heritable. Add this stat to a culture that celebrates eating disordered behaviors (think dieting and over-exercising), and it’s no wonder I developed the illness— and that it hid for so long, from all of us. I’ve actually received compliments for having the psychiatric illness with the highest mortality rate, praise for killing myself. It’s all very confusing.

          You don’t have to understand. What my eating disorder drives me to do and say is hard for even me to grasp. What I need from you are love and support. I need you to believe me. If I say that I hate my body, I need for you to truly listen rather than reassure me over and over again. (You have probably noticed that doesn’t work.) Consider saying something like, “I believe you. I don’t understand what that’s like, but I’m here for you.” When in doubt, ask, “How can I support you?” Please keep this dialog open, because starting the conversation myself feels scary.

          Have patience with me. I might yell at you. Even if you say something inspired and helpful, something that I asked you to say, I might get upset. I’m more irritable than ever. This isn’t about you. I’m mad at myself. I’m mad at my eating disorder, which I am learning, in therapy, to personify as “Ed.” Much of the time, I can’t tell the difference between my thoughts and Ed’s. It might help for you to try this therapeutic technique, too: separate me, the person you love, from the eating disorder—the one who yells and pushes you away.

          I need you. Ed doesn’t like me to need people. This is similar to how, at times, he tells me that I don’t need food. At other times, I binge and purge people just like I do with food. But, beneath Ed’s lies, I do need you. I thank you.

          Beneath my eating disorder, I’m still here. Sometimes, you might think that the person you used to know—the “real me”—is gone. But, I haven’t gone anywhere. I am more than my illness, and I am learning more about who I am every day. No one would choose to have an eating disorder, but I am beginning to see the gifts of recovery emerge. Finding my voice is one.

Love,
Me
P.S. Many years later, as an adult, I can finally say: full recovery is possible!

A Senior Fellow with The Meadows and advocate for its specialty eating disorders program, The Meadows Ranch, Jenni Schaefer is a bestselling author and sought-after speaker.

Special Note from Jenni: I would like to thank my incredible community on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for providing key insights for this article. This post would not exist without all of your heartfelt comments. I am forever grateful for your support.

References:

805. L. Klump, J. L. Suisman, S. A. Burt, M. McGue, and W. G. Iacono, “Genetic and Environmental Influences on Disordered Eating: An Adoption Study,” Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 118 (2009): 797–805.

K.T. Eddy, N. Tabri, J.J. Thomas, H.B. Murray, A. Keshaviah, E. Hastings, K. Edkins, M. Krishna, D.B. Herzog, P. Keel, D.L. Franko, “Recovery From Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa at 22-Year Follow-Up,” Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2017 Feb; 78(2): 184-189.

33. J. Thomas, L. R. Vartanian, and K. D. Brownell, “The Relationship between Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) and Officially Recognized Eating Disorders: Meta-analysis and Implications for DSM.” Psychological Bulletin, 135 (3) (2009): 407–33.
34. Thomas and J. Schaefer, Almost Anorexic: Is My (of My Loved One’s) Relationship with Food a Problem? (Center City, MN: Hazelden 2013, 2013).
35. Strober, R. Freeman, C. Lampert, J. Diamond, and W. Kaye, “Controlled Family Study of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa: Evidence of Shared Liability and Transmission of Partial Syndromes,” American Journal of Psychiatry, 157 (2000): 393–401.

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Helping Your Teenager Avoid Fad Diets and Improve Her Relationship with Food

Every week there seems to be a new fad diet, claiming to be the latest and greatest method to “lose weight, and lose it fast!” Low carb, high fat, no fat, only plant-based foods, Vegan, Keto, Atkins, Whole 30, Paleo – the list is endless and ever-changing.

The trouble is, dieting in any shape or form can be destructive and potentially triggering, and especially for a teenager who may be susceptible to mental illness or an eating disorder. Fad diets come and go because they are simply not sustainable for the long-term, nor are they a realistic way of living.

Most individuals who attempt a fad diet may see some initial weight loss but often regain the lost weight plus additional pounds as well. This can create a vicious cycle that triggers many consequences, including damages to physical and mental health, low self-esteem, and poor body image. Research has found that 95% of diets fail, and most individuals who diet will regain their lost weight in 1-5 years [1]. Teenagers who diet can be at increased risk for other health-compromising behaviors, including substance abuse, unprotected sex, and smoking.

The Appeal of Dieting Among Teenagers

For teenagers who are becoming more autonomous and independent, dieting can have a luring appeal or something to try, simply because it is trendy and socially acceptable. On the surface level, dieting may seem like an innocent attempt to be “healthier”, but in actuality, dieting can progress into disordered eating or be a precursor for an eating disorder [2]. Dieting also gives a false impression that weight is something that can and should be manipulated, but this is a dangerous mindset, especially for a growing teen.

The concern with weight and shape is also very prevalent during the adolescent years, and teenagers are constantly exposed to an unrealistically thin beauty ideal that is portrayed in the mainstream media [3]. While there may be a variety of reasons for a teenager to be drawn into a fad diet, the desire to achieve a thinner body size and body image dissatisfaction, in general, are motivating factors behind the majority of weight loss attempts [4]. Research on adolescent dieting has found that 41% to 66% of teenage girls and 20% to 31% of teenage boys have attempted weight loss at some time in the past [3].

Teenagers are highly influenced by their friends and peers, though research has shown that adolescents’ communication with parents has a stronger impact on their health and well-being [5].

How to Help Your Teen Avoid Fad Diets

While it may seem impossible to be a voice of reason over the external noise your teenager may be exposed to, the good news is that you are more influential than you may realize. There are many different approaches you can take to help educate your teenager about the dangers of fad dieting and encourage better eating behaviors. Here are some practical ways that you can help your teen avoid fad diets and the associated consequences:

• Keep communication open: It’s important for your teen to feel that they can talk to you, to reinforce the fact that they can always communicate with you about anything. Make consistent and regular time to check in with your teen and ask open-ended questions to prompt conversation. Listen intently and give her uninterrupted time to share with you. This will help build trust and encourage her to speak with you about various things going on in her life.
• Be aware of red flags: If you are talking regularly with your teen, it’s important to be aware of anything that might seem off, in both conversation and in behavior. If you notice her skipping meals, avoiding social events, or disengaging from activities she previously enjoyed, these things should not be ignored. Gently communicate your concerns and try to get to the root of the problem. Remember – dieting is not about food, there is likely an underlying issue that is triggering her urge to lose weight or diet.
• Have regular family meals: With overloaded schedules today, family meals have become more and more scarce. Making this a priority for your family ensure that you are having time to connect on a regular basis. This also allows you the opportunity to observe any behaviors in your teen that may warrant more attention. Just like you would schedule other important activities, make family meals part of your regular calendar.
• Be the example: Teens learn and observe behaviors from their parents and the people they live with. If you teenager observes you or another parent regularly dieting or speaking negatively or your body, this will likely influence her perception of herself as well. If you frequently jump from fad diet to fad diet, feel unhappy in your body, or are actively trying to lose weight, consider how this might impact your teen. Enlist the help of professional support if needed to nurture a more peaceful relationship with food and your body.

Connecting to Help and Support

At The Meadows Ranch, we understand how important the family system is and the necessity for nurturing and supporting relationships. If your teenager is struggling with chronic dieting or an eating disorder, this can be difficult to understand and accept, which may disrupt the overall family dynamic. Know that you are not alone on this journey, and we are here to help your family heal. Recovery from an eating disorder is possible, and families are an integral part of the journey. Connect with us today to find out how we can help.

References:

[1]: Statistics on Weight Discrimination: A Waste of Talent, The Council on Size and Weight Discrimination, Accessed 12 July 2018

[2]: Pathological dieting, precursor to eating disorder, Philadelphia Eating Disorder Examiner, Accessed 12 July 2018

[3]: Dieting in adolescence. (2004). Paediatrics & Child Health, 9(7), 487–491.

[4]: Wertheim, EH, et al. Why do adolescent girls watch their weight? An interview study examining sociocultural pressures to be thin. J Psychosom Res. 1997 Apr; 42(4):345-55.

[5]: Tomé, G., de Matos, M. G., Simões, C., Camacho, I., & AlvesDiniz, J. (2012). How Can Peer Group Influence the Behavior of Adolescents: Explanatory Model. Global Journal of Health Science, 4(2), 26–35.

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Five Warning Signs You Need a Higher Level of Care for Eating Disorder Relapse

Recovering from an eating disorder is a process that involves diligence, perseverance, and the support of people and professionals who know how to best help you. The eating disorder recovery journey is highly individual and will look different from one person to the next. A common experience among women recovering from an eating disorder is a relapse episode, or temporary regression to past eating disorder behaviors.

While eating disorder relapses do not mean that a person has somehow “failed” at recovery, the experience of a relapse could reflect that more help and support is needed along the recovery journey.  Research on eating disorder relapse is limited, but studies have found that risk of relapse may be higher among women with more severe eating disorders [1]. Studies have also found that the rates for relapse are higher in the first 18 months post-treatment [1].

Understanding Eating Disorder Relapse

Just like eating disorder recovery, the experience of a relapse will look different for everyone. While there is no current standardized definition of relapse, there are certain red flags to be aware of that might indicate a regression back to past eating disorder behaviors [2]. Understanding what these indicators might look like for you are important for early intervention and to connect to the support you need to maintain your eating disorder recovery.

Because eating disorders affect multiple aspects of a woman’s life, including her physical health, emotional and mental well-being, relationships, and more, it’s necessary to regularly assess these different areas to determine if greater help or support may be needed in recovery. For example, a woman recovering from anorexia may appear to be physically well (i.e. weight restored, eating regularly and a balanced variety of foods, etc.) but if she is struggling with intense body negativity or anxiety/depression, these are signs that shouldn’t be ignored, as more help might be needed.

Signs You Need a Higher Level of Care

Part of maintaining eating disorder recovery for the long term is to take an honest look at where you are, being proactive in caring for yourself, and not being afraid to ask for help if and when you need it.

The process of recovering from an eating disorder is not something to be “perfected” or a journey that you need to be on alone. Even after months or years of treatment, you may experience a relapse – and that is okay. Eating disorder recovery is often described as taking two steps forward and five steps backward; whatever direction you are moving in, you are still making progress toward freedom and a full life restored from what your eating disorder may have taken from you.

In some cases, an eating disorder relapse may be something you are able to recover from fairly quickly. In other situations, a relapse can be more severe and something that begins to escalate into a situation that you can’t control. Whatever your experience may be with a relapse, remember that you are not at fault. A relapse doesn’t mean you have failed or won’t be able to continue with your recovery. What is important is to connect to the resources you need to get you back on track. Be aware of these signs that might indicate you need more help and support healing from a relapse during your recovery:

 

1. You can no longer feed yourself well: If you’re having trouble feeding yourself, maintaining weight, or if you are unable to sustain a meal plan, this may mean you need some intervention to help you troubleshoot the underlying issue. Feeding your body regularly and consistently is foundational to lasting recovery, and an inability to eat should never be ignored.

2. You don’t engage in activities you previously enjoyed: If you find yourself isolating more from the people you love or are purposefully avoiding activities and social situations, this could be a red flag related to an eating disorder relapse. Isolation is a characteristic of past eating disorder behaviors that you should be aware of.

1. Neglecting self-care: Being unable to maintain self-care, such as regular hygiene, moving your body in ways that feel good, staying current with doctor/therapy appointments, etc. can be an indicator that you are having trouble taking care of yourself appropriately.

4. Re-emergence of eating disorder behaviors: If you have slipped back into maladaptive eating behaviors, such as restricting, rigid eating, binging or purging, this can be a sign that you may need more support to help you get back on track with your eating disorder recovery plan.

1. Obsessive thoughts about weight and food: If you are having incessant thoughts about food and your body that you can’t seem to get rid of, this may mean that you need extra help in your recovery. It is never normal to be constantly thinking about food and your body, and if this pattern re-emerges for you, you may need additional support.

If something seems off to you at any point of your recovery, pay close attention to these red flags. You can never have too much support along your journey, and intervention at a higher level of care, even temporarily, can help troubleshoot any issues you are encountering in your recovery.

Relapse Prevention and Hope for Recovery

Part of relapse prevention for an eating disorder is ensuring that you have adequate treatment, to begin with. Wherever you may be in the process of recovering from an eating disorder, it is never too late to connect to the help and support you need. Whether you are just starting the process or are experiencing a setback in your recovery after years of treatment, professional intervention can help you get back on track and support you in building the skills needed to maintain your efforts. You deserve a lasting recovery that allows you to experience the fullness that life has to offer you.

At The Meadows Ranch, we understand the eating disorder recovery journey and can help you through the highs and lows. You don’t have to do this alone. Connect with us today to learn how we can help you recover from an eating disorder or get you back on track after a relapse episode.

References:

[1]: Berends, T., van Meijel, B., Nugteren, W., Deen, M., Danner, U. N., Hoek, H. W., & van Elburg, A. A. (2016). Rate, timing and predictors of relapse in patients with anorexia nervosa following a relapse prevention program: a cohort study. BMC Psychiatry, 16(1), 316. http://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-016-1019-y

[2]: Khalsa, S. S., Portnoff, L. C., McCurdy-McKinnon, D., & Feusner, J. D. (2017). What happens after treatment? A systematic review of relapse, remission, and recovery in anorexia nervosa. Journal of Eating Disorders, 5, 20. http://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-017-0145-3

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