Eating Disorders: Part 2. Anorexia nervosa.

EATING DISORDERS ARE ONE OF THE MOST COMMON AND WIDESPREAD OF THE ADDICTIONS IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY AFFECTING ADULTS AND CHILDREN ALIKE. 

"Mirror Mirror on the wall who is the fattest one of all"……

If you can relate to the above saying, you are not alone. Thousands of women and an increasing number of men look in the mirror everyday and hate what they see. Unfortunately this is also happening with a growing number of children and in particular teenagers. Eating disorders (or food addiction), afflicts millions of people, thousands of which will die from them yearly. There is good news though; eating disorders can be successfully treated. You do not have to be a prisoner to this anymore, help is available.

What are Eating Disorders?

Boys, girls, men and women from all types of background and ethnic groups can suffer from eating disorders. Eating disorders are a way of coping with feelings that are making you unhappy or depressed. It may be difficult to face up to and talk about, feelings like anger, sadness, guilt, loss or fear. An eating disorder is a sign that you need help in coping with life, and sorting personal problems. In short, eating disorders are another form of addictive illness. With proper treatment, people can recover. Recovery takes a lot of time and hard work, but in the end it is all worth it. The first step is to acknowledge one has a problem and seek help immediately.

The definition of Eating Disorders or Food Addiction is: "the pathological relationship with food and/or eating behaviour that continues despite life damaging consequences".

The 4 main forms of eating disorders are Bulimia, Anorexia Nervosa, Compulsive Overeating, and Binge Eating Disorder.

A N O R E X I A  N E R V O S A.

…..is characterised by a significant weight loss resulting from excessive dieting. 

Most women and an increasing number of men are motivated by the

strong desire to be thin and a fear of becoming obese. Anorexics consider

themselves to be fat, no matter what their actual weight is. Often anorexics do not recognise they are underweight and may still "feel fat" at 80 lbs.

Anorexics close to death will show you on their bodies where they feel they need to lose weight. In their attempts to become even thinner, the anorexic will avoid food and taking in calories at all costs, which can result in death. An estimated 10 to 20% will eventually die from complications related to it.

Anorexics usually strive for perfection. They set very high standards for themselves and feel they always have to prove their competence. They usually always put the needs of others ahead of their own needs. A person with anorexia may also feel the only control they have in their lives is in the area of food and weight. If they can't control what is happening around them, they can control their weight.

Each morning the number on the scale will determine whether or not they have succeeded or failed in their goal for thinness. They feel powerful and in control when they can make themselves lose weight. Sometimes focusing on calories and losing weight is their way of blocking out feelings and emotions. For them, it's easier to diet then it is to deal with their problems directly.

Anorexics usually have low self-esteem and sometimes feel they don't deserve to eat. The anorexics usually deny that anything is wrong. Hunger is strongly denied. They usually resist any attempts to help them because the idea of therapy is seen only as a way to force them to eat.

Once they admit they have a problem and are willing to seek help, they can be treated effectively through a combination of psychological, nutritional and medical care.

Signs and Symptoms

* Noticeable weight loss

* Becoming withdrawn

* Excessive exercise

* Fatigue

* Always being cold

* Muscle weakness

* Obsession with food, calories, recipes

* Excuses for not eating meals (i.e. ate earlier, not feeling well)

* Unusual eating habits (i.e. cutting food into tiny pieces, picking at food)

* Noticeable discomfort around food

* Complaining of being "too fat", even when thin

* Cooking for others, but not eating themselves

* Restricting food choices to only diet foods

* Guilt or shame about eating

* Depression, irritability, mood swings

* Evidence of vomiting, laxative abuse, diet pills or diuretics to control weight

* Irregular menstruation

* Amenorrhea(loss of menstruation)

* Wearing baggy clothes to hide weight loss

* Frequently checking weight on scale

* Fainting spells and dizziness

* Difficulty eating in public

* Very secretive about eating patterns

* Pale complexion (almost a pasty look)

* Headaches

* Perfectionist attitude

* Feelings of self worth determined by what is or is not eaten

* No known physical illness that would explain weight loss

Physical/Medical Complications

* Fatigue and lack of energy

* Amenorrhea(loss of menstruation)

* Skin problems

* Dizziness and headaches

* Dehydration

* Shortness of breath

* Irregular heartbeats

* Cold hands and feet

* Bloating

* Constipation

* Hair loss

* Stomach pains

* Decreased metabolic rate

* Edema (water retention)

* Lanugo(fine downy hair)

* Loss of bone mass

* Kidney and liver damage

* Electrolyte imbalances

* Osteoporosis

* Insomnia

* Anaemia

* Infertility

* Depression

* Cathartic colon(caused from laxative abuse)

* Low potassium (most common cause of nocturnal cardiac arrest)

* Cardiac arrest and death

A professional Addiction Recovery Coach from  COACHING WITH SUBSTANCE can guide and support you deal with problems and save you further misery for you and your family.

FOR HELP TODAY:  info@coachingwithsubstance.org.au  Confidentiality assured.

Ph 07 5606 6315 (7days) Webpage:  www.coachingwithsubstance.org.au

We are Australia's leading award winning addiction treatment and rehab consultants for gambling, drugs, alcohol, sex, eating and internet addiction, along with eating behavioural disorders and co-dependency for Australasia and New Zealand.

Maria Pau is a 4x No. 1 best-selling author on the subjects of addiction and co-dependency and spiritual wellness. She is the Program Director of Coaching with Substance, the first of its kind in Australia as registered public benevolent institution, charity and not-for profit association that focuses on wellness using coaching principles of peak performance. We run a cutting edge holistic addiction treatment program and outpatient rehabilitation consultancy firm that ensures you are released from the shackles of addiction once and for all.

Primary care at CWS is personalised to treat each individual using programs that integrate mind, body and soul. CWS programs are enhanced by highly effective group coaching and therapeutic processes as well as individual coaching, spiritual insights, therapy and extensive aftercare assistance.

All clients are thoroughly assessed by a highly trained and experienced recovery coach, registered provisional psychologist, ordained Monk, mental health officer and certified naturopaths (including Ayurveda and Acupuncturist). Clients may also be referred for psychometric testing and assessment, if needed. International clients welcome.

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