Anorexia Nervosa
Characterized by over-dieting and the need for perfection. They appear to want to please all, all the time. They have a distorted self-image. Even at 90 pounds, an anorexic will look in the mirror and see fat. These people are usually over-achievers, always willing to help everyone else except him or herself. They do not realize that there is a problem.
Some of the symptoms include: weight loss, becoming withdrawn, excessive exercising, symptoms of Raynaud's syndrome (hands and feet always cold), tiredness, weakness of the muscles, obsession with food and caloric intake, depression with mood swings, fainting, dizziness, missed periods or amenorrhea (no period). When questioned, the person (usually a child or teenager) will become very defensive and angry; this is a common symptom.
It is noticeable that they will surround life with food, not the consumption of it, but its avoidance. They may prepare a meal for the family and busy themselves with cleaning up while making an excuse to eat later and never actually eating. They noticeably cut food into very small portions or may take predetermined (two to three) bites of any food choice. They become obsessed with food and become defensive if their obsessiveness is brought to their attention. Again, an anorexic does not see that there is a problem. Some may start wearing oversized clothes, hiding the effects of the excessive dieting. The scale becomes their friend, and you will find them weighing themselves daily. Anorexics feel they have failed not only themselves but also others when they don't eat. In striving for perfection, they have lost sight of reality.
With proper counseling and nutritional training, they can recover; but they may relapse, so ongoing treatment is a must. The need for counseling cannot be stressed enough. People suffering with this disease have a high relapse rate. Family counseling is also suggested due to the high stress levels that develop from fear of losing your child, or lack of understanding the disorder.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia is characterized by excessive bingeing and purging. Put in more common terms, it's eating and either vomiting or taking excessive amounts of laxatives to remove what they have just put into their system. The logic behind this behavior, regardless of how it sounds, is to remove the calories before they are absorbed into the system. They have a fear of weight gain; weight gain means failure. Most people who do not understand this condition think that purging is simply vomiting, but this is not true. Bulimics have been known to use things such as enemas, diuretics and laxatives to rid themselves of the over-abundance of calories they feel they have ingested. For some, a simple ice-cream cone is bingeing; others may eat many calories by eating a box of cookies, Twinkies, candy, cakes or any other food source.
Some symptoms of Bulimia are: binge eating, secretive eating, hiding to eat or eating during the night when everyone is sleeping, weight fluctuations, broken blood vessels usually in face or eyes from forced vomiting, bathroom visits after meals, tooth decay caused by the acids of the stomach from vomiting so much, fatigue, weakness, sore throat, irregular heartbeats.
The emotional side effects include: low self-esteem, self-criticism, self-worth determined by how much they have lost or gained, fear of not being able to stop eating, guilt from eating, avoiding functions that involve eating including social outings, substance abuse (laxatives, recreational drugs, diuretics).
The side effects of bulimia can lead to many other health problems including stress on the heart and kidneys, and decreases in potassium and magnesium, which are needed to keep the heart nourished with proper electrolytes. The body becomes weakened and unable to function properly.
Bulimics realize they have a problem, so the treatment is much easier than would be for an anorexic. A relapse after treatment may happen; but with proper counseling and nutritional assessment, it can be cured or controlled. Counseling with families cannot be stressed enough as families tend to blame themselves for this disorder. Once an understanding of the disorder is achieved, a lot of stress is lifted and proper treatment is able to begin.
Compulsive Overeating
A person who eats excessively for comfort characterizes compulsive overeating. They find comfort in food, bringing a short-lived satisfaction. Often during stressful times, they binge and feel that they cannot stop eating. Their self-worth is all based on weight and what they feel society sees as normal.
Symptoms of compulsive eating include: binge eating, starting and stopping most any new fad diet that hits the market, being overweight but never eating a thing in public and eating in the privacy of their own home away from people. Sneaking food becomes a habit, but also very comforting.
Emotional symptoms include: anxiety of not being able to stop eating voluntarily, depression with crying spells, embarrassment about weight, distorted views about themselves, weight and foods are the focus of life. Regardless of the person's size, they are malnourished and need to be treated. They are commonly those that try all the fad diets; and when results are not seen quickly, they slide back into the eating disorder. Constant emotional support is needed for these patients. Once the desired weight is achieved, they will still have a poor body image and think that they are large, when in fact they are not. This could lead the patient back into the vicious cycle of compulsive overeating.
Like bulimics, compulsive overeaters know they have a problem, so they are more easily treated than an anorexic. With proper counseling and nutritional guidance, they can resume a normal lifestyle. Families also need to have counseling on how to deal with such a problem. Understanding the disorder is the first step to recovery for the family.
Overview:
With all eating disorders, there is the constant threat of relapse. In an unhealthy setting, this will be a roller-coaster ride for some families. There is no quick fix and treatment may take anywhere from several weeks to several years. Treating the entire family is as important as treating the patient. Once the family recognizes the signs, they can more quickly get assistance in helping their child or loved one to receive treatment.
Often families do not want to admit that they are suffering from an increased amount of anger over these disorders. The anger is a normal progression when the patient chooses not to help him or herself, thus leaving the family to feel as though they have failed. Anger management counseling for the entire family, and not just a single member, is recommended if you feel overwhelmed. Family members, such as siblings, may even feel embarrassed or ashamed; this too is completely normal. A well-established child and adolescent counseling service in your area will help the siblings understand and cope with their feelings.
High stress or demanding situations are unhealthy for patients suffering with eating disorders. The tendency is to run back to what they feel is the only thing in their lives that they can control, their eating habits.
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