Anorexia can set off serious health threats. It wreaks havoc on almost every single organ in the body and may cause irreparable damage. It may even cause death due to heart failure, kidney failure or suicide.
People suffering from anorexia desperately need help. They cannot get well all by themselves. They may evade attempts at diagnosis and treatment, contending that there is nothing wrong with them and that they do not eat primarily because it is a lifestyle choice. However, it is not them doing the talking, the anorexia is. When this disease affects a person, it gradually takes control over the person's life until it gains full command.
People with anorexia may require a multidisciplinary treatment, which includes primary health care, nutritional maintenance and psychological help. If the sufferer is extremely malnourished, is experiencing medical complications, showing signs of psychiatric problems or relentlessly refuses to eat, the clinician attending the case may recommend hospitalization on either a medical or a psychiatric ward. Primary medical care is required to monitor the person's overall state of health on a regular basis. A dietician or nutritionist may likewise be rendered invaluable in the speedy recovery of the individual by helping the patient improve his dietary intake.
When the patient has been given a clean bill of health and is declared physically stable, psychotherapy can then be provided. Psychotherapy can help sort out the person's problems, which may have led to the development of the eating disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy is widely used in these cases. A patient can benefit immensely from both individual and family or marital therapies. Integrating family or marital therapy in the treatment greatly reduces the probability of relapses since it addresses interpersonal issues, which may have contributed to the development of the problem. It also equips family members with the techniques to deal with complications or difficulties which may arise during or after the course of the treatment.
For sufferers on the road to recovery, sheer will power and determination may spell out the difference between success and failure of the treatment. Always remember and abide by these simple rules if you wish to steer clear of anorexia forever:
. Stick to your treatment. Whatever happens, always be present at your therapy sessions and religiously adhere to your meal plans even though it may be very difficult for you. You may also want to ask your doctor or nutritionist to prescribe vitamin supplements to ensure that your body is getting the right amount of nutrients for proper functioning.
. Realize that your family cares for you. No matter what you think or feel, your family cares for you tremendously so please do not try to isolate yourself. Let your family help you in your battle against the disease.
. Stay away from the mirror and the weighing scale. You might be tempted as a force of habit to check yourself in the mirror and consult the weighing scale frequently during the day. Don't. Resist this urge for your own sake. These may just push you to revert to your unhealthy eating habits.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Eating Disorders
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