The eating disorder is becoming a common problem around the globe. It affects people of all ages, genders and races. The eating disorder comes in many forms such as bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, binge eating and Orthorexia.
As per the recent studies, up to 24 million people in America alone struggle with an eating disorder of various forms. The United States Department of Health and Human Services state that around 90% of the eating disorder cases involve women between 12 and 25 years of age. In fact, it is believed that anorexia is the third most common chronic illness among American adults.
An eating disorder can be difficult to deal with as the symptoms are not always visible and there is not one set cause and cure for the same. Therefore, if you or any of your loved one is suffering from an eating disorder, it is essential to get effective treatment for the same.
Common Eating Disorders
As mentioned earlier, bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, binge eating and Orthorexia are the four most common eating disorders. Let us study each and every problem in detail
Anorexia Nervosa
Binge eating
Bulimia Nervosa
Orthorexia
This is an eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss. Here the sufferer exercises extreme restriction on the food intake by either avoiding to eat or pretending to eat.
This is exactly the opposite of anorexia nervosa. Here the person finds comfort and happiness in food. They consume large amounts of unhealthy foods in order to combat their stress loneliness or insecurities. This eating habit often leads to obesity and other issues.
This is an eating disorder characterized by excessive eating followed by inducing vomiting. The person attempts to get rid of the excessive food they consumed by vomiting it out,which causes extreme stress on the body.
This is an eating disorder where the sufferer systematically avoids certain specific foods that they believe to be harmful. In such a situation, they are obsessed with eating only organic foods or avoiding foods such as wheat, dairy, meat, etc. The restriction list assumed by the person is so long that it gives them limited scope to fulfill his nutrient requirements.
An eating disorder is a common problem is youngsters. They might face criticism from parents or family or peers which makes it difficult for them to cope with the situation. But, recognizing early symptoms of common eating disorders may save yours or your loved one's life.
Treatment For An Eating Disorder
Thankfully, an eating disorder can be treated with professional assistance. A good counseling can help people deal with the eating disorder. The therapist personally talks to the patients and after analyzing the case, identifies the root cause of your eating behaviors. It could be linked to emotional disturbances, workplace issues, relationship difficulties and social environments. Based on the analysis, the therapist develops a customized treatment plan which helps the patient overcome the root cause and thereby eating disorder.
Comprehensive treatment, including care by both medical and psychological specialists can be very fruitful. Additionally, you can seek help from a qualified nutritionist who can educate you on healthy eating habits.
What changes can you expect from an eating disorder counseling?
Eating disorder counseling can help you in the following ways:
Coping with emotional issues without turning to food
Controlling food cravings and obsessions with food
Teach you to consume food only when you are hungry and stop eating once you are full
Helps you exercise better control over your feelings
Makes you more confident about yourself
Develops a positive attitude and outlook towards life
Makes you healthy and happy
Makes you comfortable about eating in public
Promotes sound sleep
Makes you feel energized all day long
Conclusion
The eating disorder is not just about food. Often people suffering from an eating disorder also suffer from clinical depression. Therefore, it is vital to treat the issue with the help of a qualified specialist. Immediate and appropriate treatment is key to overcoming this issue.
Living In Wellbeing is a leading provider of counseling services for eating disorders in India. We offer in-person counseling services in Kerala, India as well as online counseling to help patients across the globe. Till date, we have helped over thousands of patients with problems related to eating disorders.
We work with each patient on an individual basis and set recovery goals for them to deal with their emotional and behavioral issues. Moreover, we also offer counseling for family and friends of the sufferer so that they can help their loved one recover soon.
We work towards bringing a positive attitude with you while changing your thinking and eating patterns. Our aim is to promote healthy and happy living.
