Anorexia Tips.......................................

Anorexia has been surrounded with misconceptions. The eating disorder is subjected to poor understanding. It leads people to form biases and judgment.  Here are top 10 common myths about anorexia nervosa.

Myth 1

Anorexia is used to get attention.

Fact: People do not develop anorexia as a desperate means to seek attention. It is considered to be maladaptive but anorexia can be a person’s way to cope with something pain in his or her life.

Myth 2

Vanity causes anorexia. When a person suffering from anorexia says, “I feel fat” then it is said to get compliments.

Fact: Anorexia causes people to experience a distorted body image. It is one of the symptoms of the eating disorder. The way a person with anorexia view his or her body is different from the way we see them. They may lose weight but they still continue to think they look fat. Their appearance can be described as looking in a “fun-house mirror”. IT is certainly not an accurate reflection of their real body shape and weight.

Myth 3

People willfully choose to have anorexia not by chance.

All eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, are forms of psychiatric disorder. It can be a coping mechanism for some people who can’t accept their body shape. Thus, it is not a decision made out of nothing. It is a cry for help for acceptance.

Myth 4

All eating disorders are only about food and weight.

Eating disorders and anorexia are not primarily a problem brought about food. In fact, anorexia in itself is only a manifestation of underlying issues in symptoms such as food restriction, fasting, and purging.

Myth 5

Anorexia affects the rich, young and white girls.

Anorexia is not selective on who should suffer from it. A person who is anorexic can be from any race, ethnicity, or economic background. It is not based on gender as well. Both men and women of different ages are known to be sufferers of anorexia.

Myth 6

People with anorexia do not engage in binge eating.

The obsession of thinness results to eating disorders such as anorexia. In order to accomplish this, some people who suffer from the eating disorder may sometimes binge eat. Episodes of binge eating are often followed by an attempt to purge what has been consumed with the use of laxatives, vomiting and excessive exercise.

Myth 7

It is impossible for a person to have anorexia when he or she eats three meals daily.

This myth is certainly not true. Fasting is not the only way for a person to develop anorexia. There are instances when people who are anorexic may pretend to eat during meal times. They can also limit the types of food eaten or the amount of food eaten. A person may eat a normal amount of food for several days but then continue with severe calorie restriction.

Myth 8

You cannot die from anorexia for as long as you exercise to maintain a strong heart and a strong body.

This belief is an attempt for people who have anorexia to convince themselves that their disorder is only normal and acceptable. Supplemental vitamins are often taken to protect their bodies from the consequences of malnutrition. They believe that they can avoid the health risks associated with anorexia. In the end, the health complications of starvation and malnutrition are unavoidable and will inevitably become real. The longer anorexia is ignored by the sufferer himself or herself, the greater the extent of damage done to the body.

Myth 9

Anorexia takes a lot of control.

It is vital to clarify this misconception about anorexia and how it is all about control. A person with anorexia is practically fighting against a battle between the well-controlled food intake versus an uncontrollable fear of gaining weight. A person with anorexia feels he or she is unable to make a difference or influence on certain life events and their outcome. He or she then attempts to control food intake as a means of having familiarity and mastery over an area of life. There are some patients that turn to anorexia as a complex distraction from other painful and unmanageable events and feelings. A recovery process is to adopt other healthier ways to cope with life and its challenges.

Myth 10

Anorexia is only a phase. People suffering from anorexia will soon get tired and decide to eat normally.

Anorexia just like any other eating disorders. It is definitely not normal and can become fatal in the long run. It needs immediate attention from loved ones. Most often than not, it is difficult to determine if your loved one is suffering from anorexia. Most people with eating disorders are good in hiding their condition thus often denies that they are suffering and need help

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According to the Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, anorexia is increasingly prevalent among boys and men, as well as girls and women also suffer from eating disorders.

Some leading symptoms of anorexia are as follows:
• Refusal to acknowledge the minimal body weight
• Dominating fear in spite of being under weight
• Social withdrawal and depression
• Disrupted sleep and fatigue
• Decrease in concentration and attention
• Problems in interaction with people
• Obsession with thoughts of food and weight control
• Lack of self perception
• Frequent disorders in mood, personality and behavior
• Overpowering importance to physical perfection and outlook

Regular treatment of anorexia combines both hospitalization and outpatient setting. At times, severe case of anorexia leads to organ dysfunction, which needs immediate hospitalization. The emergent goal of regular treatment of anorexia is to prevent malnutrition and at times, intravenous feeding is required for this case. Weight management can also be achieved through adopting the nutritional treatment. The treatment aids in gaining at least 3-4 pounds per week. But, the treatment should be based on the overall development of the patient rather than considering only the aspect of weight gain. Some of the potential therapies included in regular treatment are as follows:
• Group therapy
• Cognitive behavior therapy
• Individual therapy
• Family therapy

Anorexia is a common problem arising out of persistent digestion disorder. Anorexia patient, as a result to this, suffers from loss of appetite, unable to eat a proper diet. Also, there is general weakness and problems of sleeplessness. Anorexia affects the overall health. Anorexia is caused due to bad eating habits. Usually women tempted to reduce weight extremely, especially the size zero types suffer from anorexia.

Home remedies, along with psychological medication, helps in treating anorexia and the symptoms related to it. Home remedies for anorexia include apple, ginger, orange juice, lemon, garlic, grapes, warm water, mint, etc. Though extreme cases need medical consultation, yet anorexia can generally be kept at bay with healthy and convenient home remedies.

Some of the remedies of vital importance are as follows:
• Apple: Eating an apple a day stimulates surge of a protein digesting enzymes known as pepsin. This is useful in helping digestion.
• Ginger: Ginger is especially recommended for anorexia because it helps to enhance hunger. Ginger taken with rock salt every day, works miraculously on upset stomach.

• Orange Juice Therapy: Orange juice is not only a thirst quencher but is also a good therapy for anorexia. All you need to do is to have a glass of orange juice after every two hours throughout the day. Follow this for 2-3 days and you will see the worst of digestive system getting into right form. Remember not to take anything else in between. Basically, this methodology will cleanse the system thoroughly.
• Lemon: Lemon works greatly as a system cleanser. One lemon squeezed in a glass of lukewarm water with a pinch of salt, drunk in the morning, cleanses the system thoroughly. Add some ginger juice to make it more effective. Lemon tones up the system.
• Garlic: Take three to four cloves of garlic a day in what ever form like raw garlic, crushed garlic in soup and garlic boiled in water. Garlic helps in anorexia as it cleanses system and increases hunger. It helps in secretion of juices that cleanses digestive system.
• Sour Grapes: Have juice of sour grapes for dual purpose, improving appetite and digestive system. Remember to take this continuously every day for at least three weeks to get effective results.
• Warm Water: Water is the basic remedy to anorexia. Unless your digestive system is not cleansed, you will not feel hungry and your anorexia will not be cured. Water does the first step. Intake of warm water cleanses the digestive system.
• Mint: It is natural appetizer. Only 2 spoons of mint juice in the morning helps to increase your hunger. Within a few days of taking mint juice, you will see a marked change in your eating habit. You will feel more craving for food.
• Asafetida: This is a grandma’s treatment. Since ages, it has been believed that if you take a pinch of asafetida in a spoon of pure ghee, it will solve the problem of anorexia.
• Pineapple: Take a few pieces of pineapple regularly for breakfast and you will feel craving for food throughout the day.

Anorexia home remedies aim at improving digestion, increasing appetite and enhancing overall body health. The best part with home remedies is that they don’t have any side effects and are effective too. It is a must to take them regularly over period of time to reap good results.

Anorexia is a curable problem coupled with the right therapy and diet. You need to take proper diet and cleanse the digestive system. Taking one can easily do this or some of the above mentioned home remedies.

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The choice of the treatment setting depends on the degree of severity of anorexia nervosa. Many patients that suffer from anorexia nervosa often find effective treatment at home, by their local doctor, while some find that they more better chances of recovery from the eating disorder when they seek hospitalized anorexia treatment. But if you have lost so much weight that poses a great risk of your life, you may need to be admitted to hospital. It may also be required to:

• Interrupt steady weight loss or promote weight gain if there has been a history of failure to gain weight in an outpatient care
• Interrupt vomiting and bingeing
• Control weight gain that occurs too rapidly
• Evaluate and treat physical complications
• Address other serious psychological problems reflected by severe depression, suicidal tendencies, self-destructive behavior, or substance abuse

Here is a list of benefits provided by a hospital-based anorexia recovery program:

Daily target and weight gain
The advantage of the stay-in anorexia treatment is to be able to set ad follow through daily targets for meals and weight gain. It also provides a safe environment where food and weight are carefully regularly monitored. The psychological concerns of anorexia are also explored and gradually explored by means of various types of treatments.

Distraction-free environment

The setting of a hospital removes everyday distractions and associations that would otherwise encourage patients to keep seeing food in a negative way and maintain poor eating habits.

Benefit scheme
It is very often common for hospitals or clinics to offer a benefit scheme where the patient is rewarded for eating well. It is a very effective incentive to do well with their program. This type of reward-based therapy serves as a motivation for patients to respond well to this type of treatment.

How to avoid drawbacks after anorexia recovery program at the hospitals
Eating disorder centers can be very effective but they need to have a good program to prevent relapse. Anorexia treatment can take a long time to really change the patients eating patterns and many continue to go to the out patients center for many months after their treatment finishes.

Anorexia treatment can benefit greatly from the support of friends and family. The support system can help to make the sufferer feel that they are not alone and have people that they can talk to. It can make a great difference to the patient and may help them on the path to a long-term recovery.

This is usually a highly recommended avenue and is usually the most effective way to treat a sufferer. Hospitals usually have a team of specialists trained to help and advice so be sure to use them with confidence.

It’s possible to recover from anorexia, but it can be a long process and you may have relapses in times of stress. You may find anorexia difficult to overcome, but with determination, patience and support it can be done.

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Take a look on how anorexia affects loved ones. Anorexia is a mental battle best understood by those who experienced having a eating disorder themselves. Ali battles anorexia for three years. Look at how she feels on anorexia and her life story.

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The complete cure of anorexia goes a long way than simply weight gain of patients. Anorexia stricken patients who gain weight during treatment often spiral back into the eating disorder. New studies shed light on why relapse rates are so high.

The study shows that women who seemed to be getting better while participating in a hospital-based behavioral treatment program continued to show disturbed eating behaviors when their food intake was not carefully monitored.

The participant may have regained much of their lost weight with treatment along with improvements in depression and other psychological symptoms. However, they ate fewer calories when given an unrestricted test meal than women without anorexia.

“We saw a lot of psychological changes over the course of hospitalization,” researcher Robyn Sysko of the Rutgers University Eating Disorders Clinic, tells WebMD. “But when given more control over their eating, these patients still tended to eat less than they should.”

Examining eating behaviors
Most patients developed anorexia during their years as preteens, teens, or young adult. Nine out of 10 anorexics are female which research suggests that one in three women treated as inpatients for the eating disorder experiences a relapse within two years of discharge from the hospital.

Improvements in psychological symptoms and weight have been documented during hospitalization for anorexia nervosa. There is no clear evidence that similar improvement in eating disorder occurs. Sysko and colleagues write in the August issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The tests were done with participants of 12 hospitalized women with anorexia and 12 women without eating disorders the same number of calories at breakfast followed by an unrestricted-calorie test meal at lunch.

The test meal consisted of a large strawberry yogurt shake. Study participants were told to drink as much or as little as they liked. The anorexic patients were given the test both early in their hospital stay and later, after they had gained back a good deal of weight.

The non-anorexic study participants ended up drinking about half of their shakes, taking in approximately 500 calories. Early in treatment the anorexic patients took in about 145 calories at the test meal, and later in treatment they took in 240, which is still less than half of that eaten by the women without anorexia nervosa.

During both test meals, the hospitalized patients took in fewer calories than they would have if they had been eating their regular, supervised lunch.

“The fact that these patients didn’t show as much improvement in eating behavior as they did in other aspects of their treatment illustrates the importance of continuing care once hospitalization ends,” Sysko says.

Follow-Up is a must
The research concluded that weight gain is merely an initial step towards anorexia recovery. Follow up care and treatment is emphasized to avoid relapse that ultimately hampers recovery from the said eating disorder.

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Anorexia leaves significant bone loss that is not reversed by any conventional treatment.

A study of 130 anorexic women in 20s, found that 92% had ostopenia or bone loss in the spine or hips. Almost 38% of the women suffered bone loss that is serious enough to be categorized as osteoporosis.

A research team in Massachusetts General Hospital found out that hormone supplements such as calcium or vitamin D did not improve bone density of anorexic patients.

Lead researcher, Anne Klibanski, director of the hospital’s neuroendocrine unit shared: “Some of these young women are experiencing bone loss comparable to that of women many decades older, despite estrogen therapy.”

The severity of osteoporosis among women who suffers form anorexia puts more emphasis of the importance of screening.

Irreversible and permanent damage
Signs of bone loss as a direct complication of anorexia nervosa could be permanent.

The mentioned study yielded the strongest predictor of bone loss is shown by the woman’s height, with those weighing least showing greater levels of osteopenia.

One quarter of the participant is undergoing estrogen therapy while more than half had been prescribed estrogen.

Another expected outcome of weight loss is amenorrhea or absence of menstrual period. The absence of menstrual period was reversed in some of the women taking estrogen but the research team found that the hormone had no positive effect on bone density.

Vitamin D supplements with calcium as a treatment had no effect to help counteract the effect of anorexia on the bones.

The study concluded that regaining and maintaining a healthy weight is the key to prevent or reduce bone loss.

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Having a thin body does not mean you are healthy.

Back in the ancient Greek and Roman times when statues were made, curvy and chubby women were depicted to be ideal body image. A few extra pounds on women who look healthy are perceived as beautiful. Fast forward in our modern society, we can’t help but ask how did we end up looking up to an ultra thin body as a norm in our society?

The image of wafer thin models is dominantly seen in the media such as television and magazines. It has been the norm for too long. Actresses and models all strive to achieve the standard and perfect body. Given such preoccupation on body image, it is not surprising for eating disorders to be on the rise. Teenagers are known to be susceptible to eating disorder. By now, they are not the only ones affected by anorexia. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, almost 7 million women and 1 million men are affected with eating disorders in some ways. Anorexia nervosa can turn fatal if not detected and treated. There are anorexics that have to be hospitalized complete with a Peg tube surgically inserted in their stomach in order to have nourishment.

The glamour of modeling tends to encourage young women, and men, to consider eating disorder to have a quick slim down plan. Teenage girls see these extra thin models as their ideal body size. Realistic weight loss are often disregarded in favor of a more drastic and unhealthy slim down plan. We need to remember that not everyone can achieve that super thin body. We should not push our bodies to copy a slim model’s look. It is not just healthy to dramatically lose weight in a short span of time.

The media transmits confusing and terrifying messages to children and parents, alike. Some children start to dislike their bodies and desire to be thin. At a tender age, children are focused on resorting to drastic measures such as food restriction that often compromises their well being and even their lives.

An expert on eating disorder, Abigail Natenshon, writes on her website:

“Camp counselors report that 6 and 7 years olds studying nutritional labels on food items as they empty their lunch sacks. A US Department of Health and Human Services task force reports that 80% of girls in grades 3 to 6 have bad feelings about their bodies, an issue diverting their attention from schoolwork and friendship.”

Parents should foster positive images of their children. Children need to know that it is normal for a teenage body to change and grows, as they get older. Media have a way of presenting unrealistic body image that children should not be striving for.

Here are some suggestions:
• Don’t dwell on physical appearance. Point out to children the necessity of being healthy, not being thinly. Empower your children to know their personality, talents, and skills as significant physical attributes.
• Teach your children to use their critical point of view when it comes to media images. Kid-friendly TV shows can promote ideal images. A researcher on eating disorder, Dr. Linda Smolak, shares that parents should ” Limit television viewing and watch with your children.” “This way you can instantly discuss any positive or negative images both you and your child see simultaneously.”
• Be a good role model. The mind of children is similar sponges, which means that they pick up things that you say or do. It does not matter if you are being subtle or intentional. Simple comments such as complains about your flabs, why you should not have ordered chocolate cake, how you need to exercise an extra hour to burn off the cake; all of these comments have an effect to your children. Your kids are listening and start to view food, exercise, and their bodies like you do. Turn things around by giving positive comments rather on negative ones.
• Encourage an active lifestyle. Teach your children that exercise is a fun activity, not something that you do to keep a slim figure nor for weight loss.
• Encourage healthy food choices. Do not tell your kids that dieting and counting calories are fundamental in life. You can opt to promote moderation such as portion sizes of food. In this way, you aren’t labeling foods as either “good” or “bad”.
• Tune in and listen to what your kids say about their bodies. You should not ignore the complaints your kids say about his or her appearance. You should listen and discuss it with them. Embrace this as a perfect opportunity to talk to your child about why he or she feels this way.
• Emphasize that there are different body shapes; there is not a single ideal body image. It is based on age, genetics, lifestyle, and metabolism.

Share us your thoughts on how to empower your children and steer them away from eating disorders. Feel free to drop comments.

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Watch this disturbing video on how an anorexic sees food.

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Isabelle Caro is the face behind a poignant Italian ad campaign that depicts anorexia in its truest form, one that has shocked the fashion industry.

(Courtesy of CBSNews.com)

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Anorexia can be difficult to understand for someone who is not suffering from it or is not a psychologist. It is taken negatively most often viewed as a lifestyle choice or a case of low esteem. You can lend a helping hand to your loved one by being supportive and understanding how you can help them in your own way.

Knowledge is power.

One of the important steps you can take is to research about anorexia. There are numerous websites offering in depth information on the mental and physical symptoms. Thoroughly understand the eating disorder including possible treatments and how you can help your loved one. Knowledge is power especially in this case.

An eating disorder goes far deeper than witnessing a person avoid food and eating it. The motivation of a person suffering from anorexia is driven by the negative feelings and mindset that convinces them to starve themselves. Eating develops into an anxiety-ridden act. It turns into their very worst fear. People suffering from anorexia thinks that a slightest bite of food will cause them to gain weight.

Why are they afraid to gain weight?

The thought of weight gain makes them feel as if they lose control and consequently are failures. Several reasons explain why the fear is so strong depending on the person. It could be a superficial reason such as the desire to be perfect. Starvation can also be a way of coping such as having control when they feel they have no control in any other part in life.

Ask them why they feel to choose to starve.

It is important to know why people suffering from anorexia opt to do this. If they say “because I want to be thin, ask them for a different reason. It is more than just the desire to be thin. It goes deeper than what meets the eye. It is highy likelythat they will either deny their eating disorder or they just don’t want to open up to you right away. All you need to do is to let them know you are their friend who is willing to listen. It will give them an outlet. It might take days, weeks, or even months before they choose to come to you and ask for help. The important thing is that you gave them an option.

Don’t make comments on your own weight issues or diet in front of them.

Consider these don’t you must not commit. It can really be tough for them to hear you say things such as not liking how you look too or counting calories out of fear of gaining weight. Don’t comment on their appearance either. You might tell them that they look fine, for them it means they look fat. You might tell them they look too thin, for them it serves as an encouragement to keep on doing what they’re doing. It is best to avoid making those comments altogether.

Give them understanding.

There are some people who dismiss anorexia as a cry for attention. The truth is that it is a very secretive disorder. They don’t want other people to know that they aren’t eating food off their plates. They tend to hide it by spreading food on their plate or cutting the food into tiny pieces. They may not be consciously asking for help but it is a subconscious cry for help. The physical evidence of weight loss is only a manifestation of the turmoil they are feeling inside. It is their message of saying “I’m lost”. These people are very fragile at this moment. You should understand them. Do not yell at them when you decide to confront them. That is the last thing they need to do. They need understanding and not discipline.

It is certainly frustrating to see someone you really care suffers from anorexia. Do not, however, make them eat by means of coercive or threatening the at the dinner table. You could end hurting them and closing yourself off to them.

Let them make a voluntary decision of entering a recovery center.

You can not force them to enter a hospital or recovery center for treatment of their problem. This could be a different story for minors or if you stand as their parent or guardian. When you threaten them with hospitalization will make them more distant from you. It could be possible that your loved one would give in to your request to seek help. Your loved one may undergo treatment and gain the needed weight just to lose it again. Not unless that person has a desire to recover from anorexia, he or she will just use the treatment to make you think that they’re doing okay and for you to leave them alone. The choice to recover from anorexia can only be made by the person himself, not you or anybody else.

It does not mean you just give up. You can tell them that recovery is worth it with facts and knowledge on how damaging anorexia does to their mind and body. AS I’ve mentioned earlier, knowledge is power. Let them know the consequences they will face in the long run if they choose to remain in the chains of anorexia. Just think of how dangerous it is when the longer a person suffers, the higher the chance he or she could die from heart failure. You don’t want to just sit there and lose your loved one out of neglect on your part.

The fact of the matter is that those suffering are not trying to need his or her life by not eating. Sad oo say, it is their way of coping and is their choice to live. It could be hard on your part on witnessing how a loved one is slowly wasting away.   You must also consider how they must feel going through it. If they know and have that assurance that their family and friends are there for them, it makes their struggle a little bit easier and little less daunting.

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