Health Advice and Information on Eating Disorders

Eating disorders warning signs

Because everyone today seems concerned about weight, and because most people diet at least once in a while, it is hard to tell what is normal behavior and what is a problem that may escalate to threaten life and happiness. No one person will show all of the characteristics listed below, but people with eating disorders will manifest several.

In addition, the early stages of an eating disorder can be difficult to define. When does normative dieting become a health and emotional problem? When does weight loss cross the line and become pathological? Answering these questions is hard, especially when the person has not yet lost enough weight to qualify for a clinical diagnosis. Nevertheless, the questions are important. The sooner an eating disorder is treated, the easier it is for the person to recover. If warning signs and symptoms are allowed to persist until they become entrenched behaviors, the person may struggle for years before s/he can turn matters around

 

• Food behaviors

The person skips meals, takes only tiny portions, will not eat in front of other people, eats in ritualistic ways, and mixes strange food combinations. May chew mouthfuls of food but spits them out before swallowing. Grocery shops and cooks for the entire household, but will not eat the tasty meals. Always has an excuse not to eat -- is not hungry, just ate with a friend, is feeling ill, is upset, and so forth.

Becomes "disgusted" with former favorite foods like red meat and desserts. Will eat only a few "safe" foods. Boasts about how healthy the meals s/he does consume are. Becomes a "vegetarian" but will not eat the necessary fats, oils, whole grains, and the denser fruits and veggies (such as sweet potatoes and avocados) required by true vegetarianism. Chooses primarily low-fat items with low levels of other nutrients, foods such as lettuce, tomatoes, sprouts, and so forth.

Usually has a diet soda in hand. Drastically reduces or completely eliminates fat intake. Reads food labels religiously. If s/he breaks self-imposed rigid discipline and eats normal or large portions, excuses self from the table to vomit and get rid of the calories.

Or, in contrast to the above, the person gorges, usually in secret, emptying cupboards and refrigerator. May also buy special binge food. If panicked about weight gain, may purge to get rid of the calories. May leave clues that suggest discovery is desired -- empty boxes, cans, and food packages; foul smelling bathrooms; running water to cover sounds of vomiting; excessive use of mouthwash and breath mints; and in some cases, containers of vomit poorly hidden that invite discovery.

Sometimes the person uses laxatives, diet pills, water pills, or "natural" products from health food stores to promote weight loss. May abuse alcohol or street drugs, sometimes to deaden appetite, sometimes to escape emotional pain, and usually in hopes of feeling better, at least temporarily.

 

• Feelings

Has trouble talking about feelings, especially anger. Denies anger, saying something like, "Everything is OK. I am just tired and stressed." Escapes stress by turning to binge food, exercise, or anorexic rituals.

Becomes moody, irritable, cross, snappish, and touchy. Responds to confrontation and even low-intensity interactions with tears, tantrums, or withdrawal. Feels s/he does not fit in and therefore avoids friends and activities. Withdraws into self and feelings, becoming socially isolated.

Feels inadequate, fearful of not measuring up. Frequently experiences depression, anxiety, guilt, loneliness, and at times overwhelming emptiness, meaninglessness, hopelessness, and despair.

• Self-harm and self-injury

In some people the above mentioned feelings are overwhelming, too many and too strong to be endured. To cope, to release the pain, to escape it, to distract themselves, some people hurt their bodies. They cut their flesh or burn it. They bang their heads or swallow foreign objects. They report that while they are engaged in self-harm, they experience peace, tranquility and calm -- a sense of being grounded after feeling tossed about by chaos and misery -- at least for a while, until stress and tension mount again.

In some cases, past trauma (especially sexual abuse) has been so devastating that all feelings have been numbed. Then the person self-injures in order to feel something, anything.

In spite of appearances, the person who self-injures is not consciously trying to commit suicide. Neither is s/he "only" seeking attention. Self-harm is frequently a symptom of Borderline Personality Disorder, a problem that often co-exists with an eating disorder. Treatment is available and can be combined with treatment for an eating disorder. Evaluation by a mental health care provider is essential. Since people who hurt themselves can inadvertantly create a medical crisis, sooner is better than later.

• Social behaviors

Tries to please everyone and withdraws when this is not possible. Tries to take care of others when s/he is the person who needs care. May present self as needy and dependent or conversely as fiercely independent and rejecting of all attempts to help. Anorexics tend to avoid sexual activity. Bulimics may engage in casual or even promiscuous sex.

Person tries to control what and where the family eats. To the dismay of others, s/he consistently selects low-fat, low-sugar non-threatening -- and unappealing -- foods and restaurants that provide these "safe" items.

Relationships tend to be either superficial or dependent. Person craves true intimacy but at the same time is terrified of it. As in all other areas of life, anorexics tend to be rigidly controlling while bulimics have problems with lack of impulse control that can lead to rash and regrettable decisions about sex, money, stealing, commitments, careers, and all forms of social risk taking.

• Other behaviors

Eating disorders frequently occur in combination with other problems. All of the following deserve professional attention in their own right. When they appear in the company of an eating disorder, the need for professional attention is even more urgent to prevent harm or death:

Alcohol abuse

Abuse of prescription medications (including insulin, Ritalin, and pain killers)

Abuse of recreational drugs (speed, cocaine, steroids, diet pills, so-called club drugs, etc.)

Abuse of laxatives and diuretics (water pills)

Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse

Threats of suicide or suicide attempts

Cutting, burning, hair pulling or other self-harm behaviors

Rage attacks

Placing oneself in dangerous situations

Homicidal threats or attempts

Stealing and other criminal acts

Any other behaviors that can logically be expected to bring harm to self or others

• with kind permission of http://www.anred.com
  Please Note: ANRED information is not a substitute for medical or psychological evaluation and treatment. For help with the physical and emotional problems associated with eating disorders, talk to your physician and a mental health professional

Do you think that you are or may be SUFFERING FROM AN EATING DISORDER?

There are many theories and ideas as to why an individual may suffer from an eating disorder, a deperate desire to have friends, be slim, be clever and perfect and beautiful. Stress at an adolencent age or at any age, crying for help with unconrtollable feelings or a sense of feeling controlled. Whatever the reason it is in your individual case, you can get well again and live a good and happy life. There are the worries that starvation and all the other eating disorders have really bad long term side effect, such as rotting teeth, decreased bone mass, loss of fertility, and loss of life. You do not have to have an eating disorder for very long before it can potentially kill you, you do not neccessarily even have to be under weight or overweight.

An eating disorder can start at any age and some cases may be directly linked to a stressful event or it may be proved that is is in the genes and is similar if not an addiction.
Food is all around us and we must eat, this is why it can feel harder to get better from and illness such as this.  But it is possible.  Again, with all problems, the first step is to recognise that you have a problem.  The next step is to get the help you need.  Everyone needs help, and we all need help especially when we are ill.

Seeing a counsellor who has experience in the helping of people suffering from eating disorders will be a great relief to a sufferer.  Many past sufferers of eating disorders go on to talk about their illness and how the felt and how they recovered.  Many go on to be nutritionists or counsellors themselves.
Healer Dealer directory contains the therapists that can help, the groups and organisations you can contact.