An eating disorder is any psychological issue that is characterized by a person with abnormal or disturbed eating patterns. This issue that is predominant in young women is spreading across sex and cultural lines, and needs to be confronted on a daily basis to help wipe out this epidemic from our country. The good thing is that eating disorders continue from learned behaviors that can be unlearned. Let’s look at some steps that can be taken to help victims of eating disorders confront the problem and follow the steps needed to recover.
The very first thing anyone who may be suffering from an eating disorder needs to do is admit they have a problem. This may be difficult to do. Whether its shame or fear, many Americans let eating disorders go on for far too long. Once one is ready to get help the best step is to tell someone who is close to you and who you trust. Having a support system that will help you confront the problem is crucial.
Now that you’ve accepted and admitted that you have an eating disorder, it’s time to take the proper steps in your clinical recovery, which starts with finding a specialist. Do some research and find someone who specializes in the disorder you are suffering from. Having someone who has experience working with similar patients will benefit when you have rough patches of recovery, since they will know how to deal with your particular situation.
The next step in your recovery is addressing any health issues that may have arisen since you were suffering from your eating disorder. There is a broad spectrum of health consequences from eating disorders since there is also a broad spectrum of disorders that revolve around food. For example, someone suffering from anorexia who has little or no nutrition often has slower heart rate, muscle loss, and a loss of bone density. A person suffering from bulimia often suffers from irregular heartbeat and tooth decay from purging. A person suffering from binge eating disorder often suffers from high blood pressure and type II Diabetes. With so many different problems that could have arisen from the disorder, it is important that you visit your primary care physician and get yourself checked.
Once you have made the first few steps to recover, it is time to devise a multi-pronged long term plan to keep your recovery headed in a positive direction. First, continue with therapy for the patient and the patient’s family. This is a process that takes everyone. It is also very important for the patient and their loved ones to be educated on the disorder.
Along with psychological counseling, it is also important that part of the recovery process include nutritional counseling. Looking at food in a different light and understanding its uses in fueling our bodies for everyday life is an important prong in the long term plan.
With any disorder, this can be a lifetime struggle. The important thing to do is focus on the steps to take and repeat if you go off plan – don’t be too hard on yourself during recovery. Know that it is a continuing road to recovery and that each day is a new opportunity for improvement.