The need for an eating disorder treatment is rapidly becoming more and more commonplace as eating disorders are increasing in the population. Much of this is due to the idealised body images put on display in popular culture, whether movies, television, music or the fashion business. These near-perfect bodies -- often surgically or digitally enhanced -- have created an unrealistic expectation in many people about what their own bodies should look like, and in many cases leads to a variety of eating disorders, the most common of which are Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and compulsive overeating.
An eating disorder treatment with a consistent result has been difficult to establish. The treatments need to be individualised, as women and men who suffer from eating disorders have their own unique set of circumstances that has led to the disorder. Many who suffer from eating disorders refuse to accept help, and indeed often believe there is nothing wrong with their behaviour, particularly since the behaviour is reinforced by media reports of the celebrity community.
The Need for Eating Disorder Treatment
Eating disorders are psychological problems that can have serious physical effects. Anorexia Nervosa is the most dangerous, and has the highest mortality rate of all the mental illnesses. Anorexia is characterized by excessive weight loss and self-starvation, fueled by a belief that one is overweight. Patients are considered anorexic when their weight falls below 15% of their recommended body weight and they still consider themselves 'fat' and attempt to lose more weight. The effects of self-starvation on the diet are severe, and can lead to complete physical breakdown and ultimately death.
Bulimia Nervosa is similar to Anorexia, but differs in that the patient will also engage in uncontrolled binge eating, followed by unhealthy practices to get rid of the consumed food. This is known as "binge and purge" behaviour, and is characterized by carefree overeating, and then purging by induced vomiting, massive use of laxatives, diet pills or other methods. Bulimia creates a cycle of preoccupation with weight and food, followed by a period of self-loathing and depression. It is often triggered by major life changes, traumatic events, and sometimes sexual or physical abuse.
Binge eating is another common eating disorder, which creates a feeling of shame and guilt in those that suffer from it. It is characterized by uncontrolled urges to eat large amounts of food in a short period of time, usually in an effort to feel better but often taken to the point that the patient feels very ill. Those who suffer from binge eating are often seen as more shameful by society, and receive less sympathy than Anorexia or Bulimia sufferers. It is, however, just as complicated -- and dangerous -- a condition.
Finally, a more rare and less overtly dangerous eating disorder is Ortherexia Nervosa, which is an unhealthy focus on the quality of food, and a restrictive eating regimen that can include only a short list of accepted foods. This condition, however, can also be extremely unhealthy and lead to a form of self-starvation of certain food types, for instance carbohydrates or proteins, depending on which food groups the sufferer has decided to exclude.
Eating Disorder Treatment Methods
Because eating disorders are psychological in nature, the most common response of western medicine is to prescribe anti-depressants. However, the most effective treatments include cognitive behaviour therapy, which disrupts harmful behaviour patterns and thoughts about self-image, and interpersonal psychotherapy, which uncovers the underlying causes of the behaviour in the first place. Hypnotherapy as a form of cognitive behaviour therapy has been known to work, but only when a patient has reached the point of understanding how destructive and misguided their thinking has been to that point.
Often the most successful eating disorder treatment occurs in a specialised setting, such as a residential facility, where intense therapy is a part of the daily structure, and fellow patients help create a sympathetic support system. Family support is also important, and a large component of eating disorder treatment must focus on educating those around the patient of the seriousness of the condition. Often it is the mixed messages from society -- fascination with celebrity bodies and a callous disregard for those that suffer from eating disorders -- that help fuel the symptoms in the first place.
A good eating disorder treatment program will follow three steps:
helping the patient through nutritional guidance to achieve a healthy body weight,
dealing with underlying psychological issues and behaviours that created the condition in the first place
focusing on long-term recovery and an improved self-image and acceptance, as well as making the patient aware of how distorted media portrayals of the ideal body are.
The need for an eating disorder treatment is very much a modern phenomenon, created in part by our fascination with celebrity culture and our demands of it. Celebrities themselves are very much aware of how important body image has become, and if they wish to remain in demand they must conform to societies expectations of them. It is no wonder that much of this psychological impairment affects the public at large and in some cases leads to serious body weight issues. As a society it is important that we educate ourselves about these conditions, and also about the distorted body images we are presented with every day. In that way, we can go a long way toward eradicating eating disorders and the need for an eating disorder treatment.
Brent Craig is a researcher and writer with a dedicated interest in Natural Health Alternatives.
For more information on this and other Natural Treatment Alternatives, please visit: www.Sayanah.com
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