Is Anorexia a form of eating disorder?
The answer is yes.
Anorexia nervosa is one of the eating disorders which is seen in all gender and age groups, but mostly female teens.
At their time of transition from a girl to a woman, they go through a lot of peer pressure and false reality of what a ‘perfect’ body looks like. All the while, the hormonal urge to attract the opposite gender is strong.
Thus, some of them fall prey to body dysmorphia and eventually have eating disorders like anorexia nervosa.
Anorexia nervosa might sound like a physical ailment, but it heavily stems from mental disorders like anxiety, OCD, and even body dysmorphia.
What Is Anorexia Nervosa?
When they get an idea of distorted body image, they are consumed with irrational guilt whenever they consume any food.
- Suffering through the constant fear of gaining weight, they try to cut down their food intake.
- Naturally, it starts with skipping one meal or two, and then it escalates to not having any meal for days.
- We have seen cases of people suffering from anorexia, only living on water and nuts. Essentially robbing their body of any kind of nutrients that a growing body needs.
- Going days without proper meals can drastically affect their mind and body. This is why if you find someone in your house skipping meals, you need to take better care of them.
- Communication is the best way to push them gently towards their recovery from these deadly diseases.
If you need some professional help, then you can get it from here. You can go through the programs and find the right recovery treatment for the patient.
How To Know Whether Someone Is Suffering From Anorexia Nervosa
If you doubt a close one is falling into the clutches of this disease, here are some of the tell-tale signs that you should look out for.
1. Extreme Weight Loss
You will find their appearance drastically changing. This is because they are losing weight more than you could expect from exercise or diet.
Their body is thinning to the point of visible bones, and their face is morphing to match that thinness. You have to understand that this is not normal.
2. Dizziness & Fainting
Since the body is robbed of all the important nutrients that it will need, gaining chronic fatigue and low pressure is common.
The patient will be growing dizzier with simple activities; they will get tired and exhausted easily. At times, they might even faint.
3. Hair Thinning & Breaking
They are not just losing their body weight; their hair and nails are also not getting the right nutrients.
Thus, you will find their hair thinning and falling out. Overall, they do not look healthy.
4. Insomnia
Insomnia is a common side effect of anorexia that is not that known. Not many might know, but we need a healthy body to ensure a good sleep cycle.
If we are constantly hungry or feeling too tired, psychologically, our mind gets louder, and we might start suffering from anxiety.
This is how the mind of an anorexic patient works.
5. Refusing To Seek Medical Help
No matter how much they are suffering, their thinning body becomes a toxic motivation. They will eventually refuse to seek medical health, no matter how much pain they are in or how fatigued their bodies are.
In a twisted way, they will see ‘happy’ with this scenario. The first step to recovery is for them to understand that there is something wrong with this lifestyle.
How To Help Someone Suffering From Anorexia Nervosa
They are not seeing a problem with this lifestyle. Rather, they are taking inspiration from unrealistic body goals to keep going.
As a closed one or friend who is trying to help them, the first task is to help them think differently.
1. Conduct An Intervention
Gather family members and friends who genuinely care about the patients and gently deliver their kindness towards them.
You can take some suggestions from a therapist or hire a professional to be there while you follow through with intervention. Ensure that you are well aware of the situation, and educate the other participants as well.
There shouldn’t be any inpatient outbursts or make the patient feel guilty for their condition.
2. Get Them Into Therapy
If they acknowledge that they might have an issue, but facing difficult to communicate that with you;
Do not wait for a second and book them a therapy consultation today!
The professional can create a comfortable environment for them to discuss the problem freely. They already have experience dealing with such an eating disorder, and they will be able to help your loved ones.
3. Learn The Dos & Don’ts
There are several do’s and don’ts when it comes to dealing with anorexia nervosa!
If you are close to someone, you must learn from them. Some of them include not discussing or judging based on their body weight or body proportion. Stop using words like ‘body weight,’ ‘thin,’ or ‘fat.’
4. Encourage Them About Body Positivity
You can encourage them about body positivity. For example, talk to them about different beautiful body types.
Although, you might not be sensitive. Thus, ensure that you get your research or professional advice before talking to them.
5. Get Them Into A Rehabilitation Center If Its Serious
If the condition gets serious, and they are not able to get out of the situation, then getting them into a good rehabilitation center is the solution.
The experts there will help them heal their body and their mind. They might need 24/7 care and supervision, so they do not fall into depression.
When There Is A Will – There’s A Way!
If you really want to help your close ones battling this disease, remember you are not alone.
It might get slightly difficult when you have no prior idea about this eating disorder, but professional help is available at your fingertips.
