Eating Disorders

There are three types of Eating Disorder; Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, and Compulsive OverEating. It is most common in teenage girls, although 10% of cases affect men, and often go unnoticed or untreated. They are marked by abnormal attitudes towards food, difficulty in controlling how much is eaten.

The exact cause of eating disorders is unknown, however, physical, psychological, personal and social issues have been associated with triggering eating disorders. Triggers often happen at a time when there is an increased demand on the resources of an individual who is already unsure of his or her ability to meet expectations. Such triggers may include puberty, starting a new school, beginning a new job, death of a loved one, divorce in the family, marriage, family problems or the break up of a relationship.

Anorexia and Bulimia are very complicated disorders, and different people can develop them for different reasons There is unlikely to be a single cause, but a range of factors that leave people feeling unable to cope, and out of control. These can include:

• Perfectionis
• Parental Control
• Shy and/or anxious
• Distressed over parental arguments
• Distressed by life events before the disorder develops.
• Critical comments about weight, shape and eating.
• Stress
• Traumatic event
• Low self esteem
• Failure at school
• High family expectations
• Social pressure to be thin TV magazines etc.

Research shows a person’s genetic makeup may also play a part. Abnormal levels of some brain and body chemicals have been linked to eating disorders.

Bulimia usually begins in conjunction with a diet, but once the bingepurge cycle has become established it gets out of control. In many individuals the menstrual cycle becomes irregular, sexual interest may be lost, there may be impulsive behaviours, such as shoplifting, alcohol and drug abuse, many sufferers are successful, perfectionists at whatever they do, although they are often depressed and have low self esteem. Being bulimic can upset the balance of electrolytes, which can cause tiredness, cramps, irregular heartbeat and decreased bone density. Repeated vomiting can damage the oesophagus, cause the salivary glands to swell, make gums recede and erode tooth enamel.

Anorexia Someone who has anorexia also usually starts with dieting that gets out of control, and eventually begins pushing down hunger sensations to the point of semi starvation, with a dramatic weight loss. This is usually accompanied by a terrible fear of gaining weight, because she sees herself as obese, even when she is dangerously under weight. She becomes obsessive about exercising, is depressed most of the time, and feels out of control.

Compulsive overeating. A person suffering from compulsive overeating has frequent episodes of binging, during which time she feels out of control, often eating food past the point of being full. It is usually followed by feelings of guilt and depression. Unlike people with bulimia, they do not compensate with purging behaviours such as fasting, laxatives or vomiting. They will eat when they are not hungry, and spend a lot of time thinking about food. They also spend time during the day in grazing behaviour and gain a lot of weight.

Left untreated, compulsive overeating can lead to serious medical conditions, including high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and major depression. Additional longterm side effects of the condition also include kidney disease, arthritis, bone deterioration and stroke.

Compulsive overeating is treatable, and counselling and hypnotherapy can be very beneficial. Approximately 80% of sufferers who seek professional help recover completely. Many eating disorders are thought to be behavioural patterns stemming from emotional conflicts that need to be resolved in order for them to develop a healthy relationship with food. However, with treatment, which should include talk therapy, medical and nutritional counselling, it can be overcome.

As with other eating disorders, there is a significant emotional component to overeating compulsively. Most sufferers use food as a way to hide from emotions, fill an emptiness, and cope with daily stresses. Many people with compulsive overeating feel guilty for not being good enough, shame for being overweight, and have very low self esteem. They turn to food to cope with their painful feelings, which only leaves them feeling worse. They often have a constant need for love and validation, and without it, may go into obsessive episodes of overeating as a way to forget the pain.

Whatever the cause, the result is usually an increased amount of stress and low self esteem, and to stop these feelings, it is important to understand what is causing the overeating, to find out why they are depressed, and help to identify alternative coping methods.

Cognitivebehavioural therapy teaches people how to keep track of their eating and change their unhealthy eating habits, as well as changing the way they react in difficult situations. Hypnotherapy helps people look at their emotions, and make changes in problem areas. Drug therapy, such as antidepressants, may be helpful for some people.

Some techniques to help stress are:

• Yoga
• Relaxation
• Breathing exercises
• Hypnotherapy and visualisation
• massage

Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia are more serious, and need a combined approach to treatment, addressing all contributing factors. The first step is to return eating to a more normal pattern. For people with bulimia, this stage involves the stopping of bingeing, purging and dieting. For people with anorexia, it involves reducing the fears of a normal body weight, by a process of gradual weight restoration.

There are many reasons that contribute to the development of Bulimia and Anorexia, and because everyone is different, the best treatment must be given to suit that person. The process begins with an evaluation by a doctor and/or a psychiatrist, probably with medication. From there, a variety of approaches are used, working towards a balanced diet, weight restoration, stopping weight loss behaviours, and an improvement of psychological and emotional states. If severe weight loss and malnutrition are apparent, hospitalisation and intravenous feeding will be needed. Once these goals have been met, psychotherapy can be used. Other good therapies are:

• Psychodynamic therapy
• Cognitive behaviour therapy
• Family therapy
• Nutritional therapy
• Group therapy.
• Relaxation and hypnotherapy are beneficial if used with one of the above therapies, and will help the individual get rid of the stress and anxiety, overcome low selfesteem, boost confidence, and focus on their emotional well being.

Recovering from an eating disorder can take a long time, and it is important that the person wants to get better. The support of family and friends is very valuable. Specialist help can deal with the underlying psychological causes and physical effects. There are also support and self help groups.

For more information and help on eating disorders:

Call Lyta Humphris on Plymouth 01752 788321 or email lhumphris@aol.com for an appointment now.

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