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.
It is not always easy to determine if an individual has a problem like this from their outward appearance, unless it has progressed beyond a certain stage. Sufferers make every attempt to conceal their behavior as they often feel ashamed of what they are doing. However, there are certain warning signs that one can look out for. Anorexics will make every excuse not to eat such as that they have already had a large meal or that they have a stomach ache. When they do eat, they usually consume very small portions.
A person who always goes straight to the bathroom after a meal may have a problem with bulimia. Other signs are indulging in frantic exercising or using laxatives or diuretics. Certain physical symptoms caused by constant throwing up may be observed such as problems with teeth from constant exposure to stomach acid.
Without the necessary treatment, these illnesses have little chance of improving. Research has showed that 20 percent of those who suffer from anorexia die before their time and bulimia can cause severe medical repercussions. This is why it is so important for the issue to be addressed as soon as possible.
It is important to voice concerns lovingly in a non-confrontational way but to be firm and not give up. Once sufferers have acknowledged that they have a problem, they should be assisted to take the next step. This may involve speaking about it to a school counselor or another trustworthy adult if it is too difficult to speak to a parent. A doctor can assess symptoms, make a diagnosis and screen for possible medical problems caused by the disorder. After undergoing a thorough evaluation, most sufferers are able to be treated on an outpatient basis.
Many sufferers are treated on an outpatient basis. They can live at home and still attend school. They usually receive a combination of treatment from various health professionals. A dietician will give nutritional advice, develop a specific eating regime and keep a close eye on body weight. Underlying emotional issues are addressed with therapy. A support group lead by a peer offers a place where experiences and coping strategies can be shared.
If the sufferer shows a lack of improvement in an outpatient setting, inpatient care may be required. If a person is severely under weight, many different medical problems can result and this usually requires hospitalization. Setbacks can occur and it may take some time before any results are seen.
Sufferers do not recover quickly from such disorders. Recovery requires far more than just achieving a healthy weight. New ways of thinking and patterns of behavior have to be established and this takes time. Loved ones have to realize this and rejoice with every small step taken to recovery rather than putting pressure on the sufferer.
It is not always easy to determine if an individual has a problem like this from their outward appearance, unless it has progressed beyond a certain stage. Sufferers make every attempt to conceal their behavior as they often feel ashamed of what they are doing. However, there are certain warning signs that one can look out for. Anorexics will make every excuse not to eat such as that they have already had a large meal or that they have a stomach ache. When they do eat, they usually consume very small portions.
A person who always goes straight to the bathroom after a meal may have a problem with bulimia. Other signs are indulging in frantic exercising or using laxatives or diuretics. Certain physical symptoms caused by constant throwing up may be observed such as problems with teeth from constant exposure to stomach acid.
Without the necessary treatment, these illnesses have little chance of improving. Research has showed that 20 percent of those who suffer from anorexia die before their time and bulimia can cause severe medical repercussions. This is why it is so important for the issue to be addressed as soon as possible.
It is important to voice concerns lovingly in a non-confrontational way but to be firm and not give up. Once sufferers have acknowledged that they have a problem, they should be assisted to take the next step. This may involve speaking about it to a school counselor or another trustworthy adult if it is too difficult to speak to a parent. A doctor can assess symptoms, make a diagnosis and screen for possible medical problems caused by the disorder. After undergoing a thorough evaluation, most sufferers are able to be treated on an outpatient basis.
Many sufferers are treated on an outpatient basis. They can live at home and still attend school. They usually receive a combination of treatment from various health professionals. A dietician will give nutritional advice, develop a specific eating regime and keep a close eye on body weight. Underlying emotional issues are addressed with therapy. A support group lead by a peer offers a place where experiences and coping strategies can be shared.
If the sufferer shows a lack of improvement in an outpatient setting, inpatient care may be required. If a person is severely under weight, many different medical problems can result and this usually requires hospitalization. Setbacks can occur and it may take some time before any results are seen.
Sufferers do not recover quickly from such disorders. Recovery requires far more than just achieving a healthy weight. New ways of thinking and patterns of behavior have to be established and this takes time. Loved ones have to realize this and rejoice with every small step taken to recovery rather than putting pressure on the sufferer.
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