Nearly 30 million people of all ages and genders in the United States suffer from eating disorders. Most of them are women. If you or someone you know shows signs of an eating disorder, take immediate action. This condition has the highest mortality rate of all mental disorders, so seek help for both yourself and your loved ones.
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Method 1 of 4: Recognizing the Types of Eating Disorders
Step 1. Recognize the different types of eating disorders
This article focuses on the three main types of eating disorders. According to the psychiatric categorization system accepted in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (abbreviated DSM-V), eating disorders include three main disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. It should be noted that there are other types of eating disorders. If you have a difficult relationship or are dissatisfied with your diet, go to a doctor or therapist who can help identify your particular problem.
- Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by not eating and excessive weight loss. For people with anorexia, the desire to lose weight has become an obsession. There are three main characteristics: an inability or refusal to have a healthy weight, a fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image.
- People with bulimia nervosa have a recurring obsession with overeating and use various methods to clear their stomach contents, such as vomiting or abusing laxatives to keep weight from gaining weight due to overeating.
- Overeating disorder occurs when a person eats large amounts on an impulsive basis. Unlike bulimia, people with binge eating disorder do not clear their stomach afterward, although they may occasionally go on a diet out of guilt, self-loathing or shame.
Step 2. Learn the factors that cause or worsen eating disorders
There are several possible risk factors that make eating disorders worse, including: neurobiological and hereditary factors, feelings of low self-esteem, high anxiety, desire to be perfect, feelings of having to continue to please others, relationship problems, sexual or physical abuse, family conflict, or disability. in expressing emotions.
If you want to learn more about eating disorders, visit reputable sites such as the National Eating Disorders Association, National Institute of Mental Health, National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
Step 3. Make a donation to an organization that helps people with eating disorders
Many organizations, such as those listed above, are working to increase knowledge about eating disorders and help people with these disorders. If you know someone or care about someone with an eating disorder, making a donation can help fight an eating disorder by improving the services offered and spreading knowledge about the issue.
Step 4. Stop lowering your body shape
This action applies to your own body as well as to others. People can lower their own body shape by saying, "I wouldn't be able to wear a bathing suit with a belly like this." Other people such as parents, siblings, and friends may also criticize the sufferer, either upfront or behind his back. For example, a mother criticizes her daughter by saying, "If you haven't lost any weight, it's better if you don't go to the school farewell party."
- Simply put, if you can't say anything positive or motivate yourself or others, it's better to keep quiet. The tongue can hurt feelings. You may be joking, but those listening can take your words seriously.
- Show your disapproval to other people (e.g. friends, family, coworkers, media, etc.) Also show your support for those who say positive things about their bodies.
Method 2 of 4: Coping With Your Own Eating Disorder
Step 1. Watch for physical warning signs
Be honest with yourself if you see any warning signs of an eating disorder. This condition can be life threatening. Don't underestimate your eating disorder or your ability to treat yourself. Some of the warning signs you should pay attention to include:
- Underweight (less than 85 percent of your normal weight, according to your age and height).
- Your health is poor: You bruise easily, become weak, your skin tone is pale and faded, and your hair is dull and dry.
- You feel dizzy, feel colder than other healthy people (due to poor circulation), dry eyes, swollen tongue, bleeding gums, and your body retains a lot of water.
- You haven't had your period for at least three months (for women).
- For bulimia, some additional signs include signs such as bite marks on the back of the fingers, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and swollen joints.
Step 2. Record signs of eating disorder behavior
In addition to the physical changes that affect the body, eating disorders also affect emotions and behavior, including:
- If someone says that you are underweight, you do not accept and even argue otherwise; and you can't take advice about your underweight.
- You prefer to wear loose or baggy clothes so that you can hide your sudden or drastic weight loss.
- You make excuses for not being present at meals, or find ways to eat very little, hide food or vomit food.
- You're obsessed with dieting, talking about diets and looking for ways to eat less.
- you are afraid of (being) "fat"; You're being hard on yourself about your shape and weight.
- You're following a grueling workout, which could be considered over-exercising.
- You avoid relationships or go out with other people.
Step 3. Talk to a therapist who specializes in treating eating disorders
A professional can help you deal with thoughts and feelings about dieting or overeating. If you are too shy to consult, rest assured that a therapist trained in eating disorders will not make you feel ashamed of yourself. These therapists have dedicated their professional lives to helping others cope with eating disorders. They know what you're going through, understand why, and more importantly, can help you deal with it.
- The best treatment approach to managing an eating disorder is some form of therapeutic or psychological counseling related to the management of medical and nutritional needs.
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By attending therapy, you will:
- Listen carefully.
- Opportunity to tell your whole story and ask the target for help.
- Freed from the pressures of family and friends that you may feel. A therapist can also act as a complainant and counselor, or at the very least, teach coping strategies during the healing process and how to deal with conflict in the family.
- Treated as someone with dignity and reassured that (with the right tools) can heal.
Step 4. Determine why you created the eating disorder habit
You can help the therapist by exploring yourself to find out why you are driven to keep losing weight and hate your body. There may be some self-disclosures that help you personally better understand why your eating habits are turning into the wrong way of dealing with something that's hurting you, such as conflict in your family, lack of love or never feeling good enough.
- Are there areas in your life that make you feel out of control? Are there new changes in your life that you don't like (divorce, moving to a new city), but that you can't control?
- Have you ever been physically, emotionally, or sexually abused?
- Does your family have rigid standards of perfection? Is your family very protective, controlling, and strict?
- Were your parents uninvolved or detached from your life?
- Do you compare yourself to others? Images in the mass media are the main culprit in this regard. Friends, popular people and people you admire can also be a comparison for you.
- Do you eat junk food or eat more when you are emotional? If so, it may unknowingly become a habit that replaces more appropriate self-soothing activities, such as challenging negative self-talk, or learning to praise yourself for all the good things you do.
- Do you feel that being thin will make you more accomplished in sports? Some sports, such as swimming or gymnastics, require the body to be flexible and smaller (for women). But keep in mind that many other factors determine who excels in the sport. No exercise should make you sacrifice your health.
Step 5. Create a food journal
There are two purposes of a food journal. The first, more practical goal, is to establish a diet and allow you and the therapist to determine what types of foods you eat, when and how. Second, the more subjective part, is writing down thoughts, feelings and emotions related to the food habits you develop. Ultimately, a food journal is a place to write down your fears (so you can deal with them) and dreams (so you can start planning goals and working towards making them happen). Some things to explore in a food journal include:
- Ask yourself what you're going through. Do you compare yourself to a model in a magazine? Are you under a lot of stress (because of school/college/work, family problems, peers)?
- Write down the food ritual you are establishing and how you feel about it.
- Write down how you feel about your struggles with controlling your diet.
- If you manipulate others in order to outwit them and hide your behavior, how does that affect your relationships and closeness with others? Dig into this issue in a food journal.
- Write down the things you have accomplished in life. This will help you become more aware of what you have done. A list like this will make you feel better about yourself as the good stuff continues to add up in the journal.
Step 6. Ask a friend or family member for support
Talk to this person about what you're going through. This person will care about you and be very willing to try to help you deal with an eating disorder, even if it's just a mere one.
- Learn to express your feelings out loud, and accept the feelings you have. Being assertive doesn't mean being arrogant or self-absorbed, it's letting others know that you too are valuable and worthy of respect.
- One of the main factors underlying the disorder is an unwillingness or inability to be oneself and to fully express one's own feelings and preferences. Once this becomes a habit, the loss of assertiveness makes you feel less worthy and less able to move through conflict and unhappiness. As a result, the disorder becomes a contributing factor that "rules" everything (albeit in a very unusual and unhealthy way).
Step 7. Find other ways to deal with emotions
Find a positive outlet for you to relax after a stressful day. Allow yourself to enjoy these private moments just to focus on yourself, such as listening to music, walking alone, enjoying the sunset, or keeping a journal. There's a lot you can do, find something you enjoy and relax in the face of detrimental and stressful emotions.
- Do something you've been wanting to do for a long time, but haven't had the chance to do it. Take a new class to learn something you've always wanted to try, create a blog or website, learn to play an instrument, go on vacation, or read a book.
- Alternative medicine can also be useful in helping with eating disorders. Talk to your doctor about activities such as meditation, yoga, massage, or acupuncture.
Step 8. Implement healthy mechanisms for dealing with stress
Lock yourself away when you feel out of control. Call the other person over the phone and focus on the voice. Touch things close to you, such as a table, doll or wall, or hug someone you feel safe with. Self-isolation techniques allow you to reconnect with reality and refrain from dwelling on the past or present.
Get quality sleep and establish a healthy sleep routine. Sleep can restore perspective and energy. If you're getting less sleep because you're stressed and worried, find ways to improve your sleep routine
Step 9. Do as good to yourself as to anyone else
Look at the people around you and their characteristics. Value yourself the same way. Look at the beauty in yourself, don't focus on weaknesses. Stop being so hard on appearances. Every arrangement in the body is a miracle, a living moment that is exhaled by the continuum of time, and you deserve to be happy, right here, right now.
Step 10. Keep the scales off
No one should weigh themselves every day, whether they have an eating disorder or not. Weighing is tantamount to charting unrealistic weight fluctuations and creating an obsession with numbers instead of focusing on bigger things. Reduce the frequency of weighing gradually until you only weigh once a month or twice.
Instead of a scale, use clothing as an indicator. Choose your clothes that fit and you like best in a healthy weight range. Use it as a standard for good looks and a healthy weight
Step 11. Take steps gradually
Pay attention to every small change towards a healthy body as a big step in the healing process. Increase your food portions gradually, exercise less, etc. Don't stop spontaneously because in addition to exacerbating your emotional state, it can shock your body and cause other health problems. Again, this aspect is best done under the supervision of a professional, such as an eating disorder specialist.
Gradual steps are not possible if you are very thin. You should go to the hospital to be treated and receive nutritional intake so that the body gets the essential nutrients it needs
Method 3 of 4: Helping Friends Fight Eating Disorders
Step 1. Learn how to recognize an eating disorder
If you see these signs in your friends, don't hesitate to get involved. This condition becomes very serious if the signs listed above are obvious. The sooner you can help your friend fight an eating disorder, the better.
- Educate yourself about eating disorders by reading info about it.
- Be prepared to do all you can so that the sufferer can receive the appropriate professional treatment as soon as possible. Be prepared to support the treatment process and be a helper or supporter if needed.
Step 2. Talk privately to your friend
Go up to him and ask him what he's going through, and tell him what concerns you. Speak softly and don't be judgmental. Explain that you are worried about him and want to help in any way you can. Explain ways you can help him.
- Be a calming person. Avoid exaggerating, showing surprise or nagging.
- For example, avoid blaming phrases like "You shouldn't hang out with those girls. They're all skinny."
Step 3. Express your concern by using an "I" statement
Instead of embarrassing your friend, let them know how worried you are. Saying things like "I care about you, and I want you to be healthy. What can I do to help you?"
Step 4. Always there for her
Listen to his problems without judgment, and let him express his emotions without him feeling like you don't care about his problems. You need genuine listening skills and repeating or summarizing his 'feelings' so he can be sure that you hear and recognize his pain. Support him, but don't try to control him.
- See the article on how to listen to learn more about active listening.
- Love, care and be open to him. Love him as he is.
Step 5. Don't talk about food or weight in a negative way
If you're going out for lunch, avoid saying things like, "I crave ice cream, but I can't…" Don't even ask about what she has eaten or not, how many pounds she has gained or lost, and so on, and do not expressed disappointment at losing weight.
- Avoid demanding that he gain weight.
- Don't embarrass or blame people with eating disorders. This matter was against his will.
- Avoid making jokes about weight or other things that your friends might misunderstand.
Step 6. Stay positive
Give him credit, and help boost his self-esteem for everything he does, not just his body image. Support your friend who has an eating disorder through this difficult time with love and kindness.
Step 7. Seek help for your friends
Talk to a counselor, therapist, partner or parent about the best way to help your friend. As stated earlier, this is the most important part of his recovery ability, so do what you can.
Method 4 of 4: Taking Action for Parents and Nurses
Step 1. Read the suggestions outlined under the section for friends
Many of these approaches also apply to people who care for or live with people with eating disorders. Most importantly, make sure the sufferer gets medical attention and treatment; if you are legally responsible for the sufferer, make sure he or she gets professional help as soon as possible.
Most of this section assumes that the person with an eating disorder is a child or teenager, but most of these steps also apply to adult children or household members
Step 2. Be calm and supportive
As a member of the family or household, you will be in constant contact with the child or teen sufferer and he needs to know that you are not angry with him or that you will be demanding every time he shows up. You may feel very inhibited, but this is your time to learn as much as the sufferer, and you must be patient, courageous and calm to be a positive and effective supporter.
- Show love and kindness. He needs to know that he is loved. "Mama loves you _. We'll get through this together."
- Support the therapy process but don't invade her privacy or take control over her. Don't ask annoying questions, don't address your weight problem directly with him, and if you have a particular problem, talk to a therapist or doctor directly.
Step 3. Nurture love and care for all household members
Don't ignore other people just because you support the sufferer. If your worries and attention are focused solely on him, the other person will feel neglected and he will feel that you are focusing too much on him. You (as well as others) should focus as much as possible on creating a balance in the household that nurtures and supports every member of the household.
Step 4. Be there emotionally
You may be tempted to ignore, withdraw or leave the sufferer when you feel helpless or angry about the problem. However, withdrawing emotional support will harm him. You can love him and deal with his manipulative ways effectively. If you find this difficult, ask a therapist for advice.
Your child will know you're paying attention if, instead of demanding it, he knows you're always available to talk to. "I know you're confused and need some time to think this through. But I want you to know I'm here for you. We can talk about anything, anytime you want…"
Step 5. Think of food as part of the household routine to stay alive, stay healthy and make ends meet
Don't let any family members talk enthusiastically about food or weight. Reprimand family members for doing this. Also, don't use food as a punishment or reward in raising children. Food is something to be cherished, not to be rationed or used as a gift. If this means that the whole family has to change the way they view food, this is a good way to move forward for everyone.
Do not limit the sufferer's food intake, unless you are required to do so by a medical professional
Step 6. Be critical of media messages
Teach the child or adolescent sufferer not to take mass media messages outright. Teach him critical thinking skills and encourage him to confirm messages from the mass media, as well as messages from his friends or others who influence him.
Encourage open communication from a young age. Teach your child or teenager to communicate with you openly and honestly, and talk to him or her in the same way. If he doesn't feel like he has to hide something, the main element of an eating disorder is gone
Step 7. Build the child or adolescent's self-confidence
Show the sufferer that you always love him, and give him credit for things well done. If he fails to do something, accept it and help him learn to accept it. One of the best lessons a parent or caregiver can share is how to learn from failure and develop a never-give-up attitude.
Help your child to accept and appreciate his body. Encourage physical exercise and body confidence from a young age. Explain the importance of flexibility and strength created through exercise, and help him feel comfortable being outdoors and in nature by frequently walking, cycling, hiking and running together. If possible, take part in a family run, bike ride, or triathlon so that children grow up feeling these activities are healthy and bond
Tips
- Eat only when you are hungry. Sometimes we feel tempted to eat something sweet when feeling sad, bored or frustrated. Unfortunately this has negative side effects on health and appearance. The reason you'll want to eat candy when you're in a certain mood is that sugary and sugary foods contain endorphins (substances that make you feel happy and well), and when the level of endorphins in your body is low, you'll want to eat something sweet. Try to get it from physical activity. Practicing exercise had the same effect on happiness levels, with no negative side effects on body weight. If you feel addicted to sweets and snacks whenever you feel down, you may be suffering from emotional eating which is also an eating disorder.
- Remember that models and actors in their real life are not as perfect as on the cover of a magazine. There are already professional make-up, dress designers and body trainers who make them look more perfect than they really are. Moreover, every day there is always a new story that reveals Photoshop effects on these people so that they look ideal. Comparing yourself to their pictures in magazines is certainly not fair to you.
- Find true healthy beauty instead of fake beauty like in magazines. Avoid wanting to look like a very skinny stage model. Focus more on what you find beautiful in ordinary people, people of all shapes and sizes.
