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Eating Disorders
Our society creates a fantasy that puts before us models of beauty that the average person will never attain. Girls, especially, can be affected by the images they see in magazines, on television and in advertisements. It would indeed be a wonderful place if we were all created as equals on the outside. As puberty advances the desire to be beautiful, popular and sexy becomes paramount in the minds of some of our teenagers. This desire to fit in, to be perfect and to attain the admiration of others can lead to some very unhealthy practices and beliefs that can snuff out life.
People who develop this addiction may feel the only control that they have is over the look of their bodies and the food they consume. The normal external stimulation of the world around them becomes the driving force to begin this road to self-destruction. It becomes a belief for those using this method of personal control; that this control of food will give the necessary relief from uncomfortable feelings and moods. What started out to be a simple part of growing up continues and grows into a serious medical, emotional and behavioural problem that requires specialized, professional treatment.
To those who are around them, (friends, family and co-workers), the progression
that is part of this dis-ease is a cause for concern and helplessness. They
don't know how to stop the person from continuing and the victim often hides
the fact of their acting-out or self-destruction. At the beginning of this
devastation, the body is healthy. Without the proper nutrition the body starts
to loose weight. The owner of the body sees the changes as control. To gain
more control, food becomes the focus.
The mind is as wondrous component of our being. We can train it to do many
things for us. Once it is trained in the negative, it is difficult to turn
thinking patterns around. The mind gets the eyes to see the body as fat even
when starvation is staring them in the face. The feeling that they have some
control in their lives gives them a "high"; a feeling of confidence
and achievement.
Addictions are likened to living entities. They live with the host and at the same time draw the life out of their benefactors through toxic intakes, destructive behaviours and risky life choices. The body starts to break down without the necessary intake of proper nutrition. Much of the damage that is done to internal organs is permanent and weakens the whole. Since the mind is set to see only the "fat" that is not there, the host denies the fact of starvation and internal damage, which they can not see.
From the time we come into this world much of our discomfort is answered
and soothed by food. The intake of food is used as rewards, celebrations and
to maintain health. It is also used as punishment, at times of grieving and
times of stress.
There are two types or categories of eating disorders that lead to obsessive,
compulsive and addictive behaviour.
Behaviours that define Bulimia:
- The characteristics of bulimia are binge-eating where large amounts of
food are eaten at a time usually in private and secretly. The eater may
very well suffer grave emotional pain because of the eating patterns that
rule his/her life.
- There is an element of fear for those who find themselves enslaved to
this behaviour.
Numerous attempts to control this eating disorder often end with frustration, resentment, guilt, shame and multitude of other feelings not conducive to healthy self-confidence and self-esteem.
Some of the methods used to counteract the effects of bingeing are unhealthy and can create medical problems that can not be reversed. Vomiting or purging is only one of the ways that are utilized to maintain the secrecy of this disease.
- Dieting is another way binge-eaters attempt to gain control weight between
binges.
A refusal to eat with others, family or friends often provide clues to the secret life of people suffering form this disease. Bulimic will insist that they have a few pounds to lose.
Weight fluctuation is another way of determining if someone close to you is in need of help.
Bulimia: "binge-eating".
- Do you consume large amounts of food in short periods of time?
- Do you use food as a comfort, to change feelings?
- Do you eat when stressed, anxious or depressed?
- Do you find yourself overeating in private?
- After bingeing do you find yourself moody and/or depressed?
- Have you suffered blackouts or memory lose after binge-eating?
- Do you feel abnormal, not good enough or worthless after bingeing?
- Do you spend large amounts of money on food each month?
- Are you ashamed of the way you eat/binge?
- Are you afraid someone will find out about your bingeing?
- Do you fail when you attempt to control the way you eat?
- Have you used several methods of control?
- Have you or do you induce vomiting after bingeing?
- Have you used laxatives/enemas to control weight gain?
- Have you ever used diuretics to control your weight?
- Have you ever starved yourself to gain control over bingeing?
- Have you ever slept for long periods of time to avoid eating?
- Have you ever taken sleeping pills to cause you to sleep to avoid eating?
- Have you ever been hospitalized or under medical care because of your
eating patterns?
Behaviours that define Anorexia
- A refusal to maintain normal body weight and stop starvation despite the
serious physical damage and appearance.
- Compulsive exercise which is directed to weight loss and fat burning.
Weight loss which is abnormal severe, from 25%-50% loss of body weight.
Anorexia: "self-imposed starvation"
- Have you ever prided yourself on the control you have at avoiding food?
- Do you tell family and friends you have eaten when you have not?
- Do you eat a meal and then excuse yourself and from the table and vomit
or purge?
- Do you see yourself as fat, unattractive and ugly?
- Do you use laxatives, enemas and pills for the purpose of editing?
- Do you feel nauseated before, while and/or after eating?
- Have you exercised for the purpose of loosing weight when others have
told you that you are thin enough or too thin?
- Have you been told by family, friends or medical personal that you are
too thin but you still continue to diet?
- Do you stay away from family, friends and co-workers to keep your eating
patterns a secret?
- Have you had complications arise that you have not seen a doctor about?
- Have you ever been under medical treatment or hospitalized due to your eating patterns?
Both of these eating disorders create serious health risks. None of the people helping in this addiction should work alone. This addiction needs the co-operation of medical personal as well as the counsellor. If you need assistance, seek further information on EFT and ERT.
Emotional Freedom Techniques and Emotional Release Therapy can be beneficial in helping to overcome addictions. Nutrition also plays a part in your recovery.
For a free 15 minute consultation contact:
Kallie P. Miller, R.N., EFT-CC, 1-519-471-6234. London, Canada.
Both of these techniques may be facilitated over the telephone.
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