Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning
• What you need

Nearly 30 million Americans of all ages and genders suffer from eating disorders. Most of them are women. If you or someone you know has signs of an eating disorder, it's important to take action right away. This condition has the highest death rate of any mental disorder, so seeking help for you or for someone you love can save a life.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Identify Methods Everyone Can Help

1. 

   Learn about different types of eating disorders. This article focuses on three main types of eating disorders. According to the DSM-V recognized mental health classification system, eating disorders include three main types: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating. disorder). Be aware that there are other forms of eating disorders as well. If you feel uncomfortable or unhappy with your food, talk to someone in your medical profession or a therapist so that they can identify the specific problem for you.
   • Psychological anorexia is a form of eating disorder characterized by anorexia and excessive weight loss. For people suffering from anorexia, the desire to lose weight becomes a mental obsession. This form has three characteristics: an inability or refusal to have a healthy weight, a fear of gaining weight, and a distorted visualization of the body.
   • People with vomiting always have an obsession with binge eating and then use various enemas such as vomiting or overusing enema to prevent weight gain from overeating.
   • Binge eating disorder occurs when a person impulsively eats too much food. Unlike vomiting, people with binge eating do not spit after eating, even though they sometimes diet out of guilt, self-hatred or shame.

2. 

   
   
   Learn about the factors that cause or contribute to an eating disorder. Some of the risk factors associated with eating disorders include: neurobiological and genetic factors, low self-esteem, increased anxiety, dreams of being perfect, need to always please the person. other, having problems in a relationship, being subjected to physical or sexual abuse, family conflict or lack of ability to express emotions.
   • If you want to learn more about eating disorders, you can search reputable websites such as the National Eating Disorders Association, National Institute of Mental Health, National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.

3. 

   
   
   Consider donating to organizations that help people with eating disorders. Many of these organizations are actively promoting understanding of eating disorders and helping patients. If you are concerned about someone with an eating disorder, you can donate to these organizations to help fight eating disorders by improving services and disseminating knowledge.

4. 

   
   
   Stop making fun of your appearance. Making a physical mockery is an act of criticizing your own or someone else's body. One can lower themselves by saying things like, "I can never wear a swimsuit with a belly like this." People like parents, siblings, and friends may also disparage others in front of or behind them. For example, a mother might give a harsh comment to her daughter, like, "You won't find a boyfriend to accompany the prom if you don't lose a few pounds."
   • If you don't have anything positive or encouraging to say about yourself or about others, don't say anything. Words can hurt. Maybe you're just joking, but the audience took it seriously.
   • Speak out against people who make fun of others' looks (eg friends, family, colleagues, the media, etc.), and encourage people to appreciate positivity in all shapes.
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Method 2 of 4: Overcoming Your Own Eating Disorders

1. 

   Watch for physical alarms. Be honest with yourself when you spot the warning signs of eating disorders. This disease can be life-threatening. Don't underestimate the severity of an eating disorder and don't underestimate the possibility of self-treatment. Some warning signs to look out for include:
   • Light weight (85% lighter than an acceptable standard for your age and height).
   • Poor health - you find yourself bruising easily, without energy, pale skin, dull and dry hair.
   • Dizziness, often feeling colder than others (poor blood circulation), dry eyes, swelling of the tongue, bleeding gums, and a lot of water in the body.
   • Women lose three or more menstrual cycles.
   • People with vomiting also have additional symptoms such as tooth markings on the fingers, nausea, diarrhea, constipation and swelling of the joints.

2. 

   
   
   Watch for signs of an eating disorder behavior. In addition to the physical changes impacting the body, eating disorders affect behavior and emotions. These include:
   • If someone says you are underweight, you will not believe it, even argue back; you may not be able to seriously think about the idea that you are underweight.
   • You often wear loose-fitting clothes to try to hide sudden or heavy weight loss.
   • You always make excuses not to sit at the table or find ways to eat as little as possible, hide the food or then throw it away.
   • You are obsessed with dieting, always talking about it and looking to eat less.
   • You are terrified of being "fat" up; you are hard on yourself about your body shape and weight.
   • You follow a regimen of hard work and exhaustion, which can be considered too much.
   • You avoid relationships or hang out with people.

3. 

   
   
   Talk to a doctor who specializes in eating disorders. A trained professional can help you overcome the thoughts and feelings that motivate you to abstain or overeat. If you can't tell anyone out of embarrassment, you need to make sure the doctor won't make you feel ashamed of you. Doctors are dedicated to their profession to help patients overcome eating disorders. They know what you are going through, they understand the underlying causes, and more importantly, they can help you get through it.
   • The best treatment for managing an eating disorder is a form of therapy or psychological counseling combined with close monitoring of nutritional and medication needs.
   • Upon receiving treatment, you can expect:
     • To be heard with respect.
     • Get a chance to tell your full story and ask for specific help.
     • Get rid of the pressures family and friends might put on you. The therapist can act as their mediator and counselor, or at least teach you strategies on how to overcome family conflicts throughout the healing process.
     • When you are treated like a valuable person and assured of it, with the right measures and in the right place, you can be well again.

4. 

   
   
   Identify why you develop disturbed eating habits. You can help with your treatment by discovering for yourself what makes you feel constantly losing weight and looking down on your body. Some symptoms can help you better understand how your eating habits gradually turn into unhealthy ways to deal with hurting things like family conflict, lack of affection or never feel comfortable.
   • Is there an area in your life where you feel out of control? Have any unexpected changes in life happened recently (divorce, moving to a new city) but you can't control it?
   • Have you ever experienced physical, emotional or sexual abuse?
   • Does your family have rigid or perfectionist standards? Does your family overprotect you, control and disrespect boundaries?
   • Your parents are not interested or detached from your life?
   • Do you compare yourself to others? Communication is the worst culprit in this regard, but your friends, celebrities and people you admire can also be your source of comparison.
   • Do you eat unhealthy foods or eat more with emotion? If so, it can become the unconscious habit of taking the place of more appropriate comforting activities like challenging negative monologues or learning to praise yourself for good things done.
   • Do you think a slimmer body will allow you to be better at sports? Although some sports such as swimming or gymnastics may favor smaller, more flexible bodies (suitable for women), don't forget that there are many other factors that determine success in any sport. No subject is worthy for you to sacrifice your health for it.

5. 

   Keep a food diary. Eating diaries have two purposes. The first is also a practical one, which is to establish the type of food you eat and to help you and your doctor keep track of what, when and how you eat. A second purpose is more abstract than writing down thoughts, feelings and feelings related to the eating habits you have. And finally, it's a place where you can write down your fears (so you can face them) and your dreams (so you can start planning your goals and reaching out). Some points to consider in your food journal include:
   • Ask yourself what you might be going through. Do you compare yourself to the models in magazines? Are you under a lot of pressure? (pressure at school, work, problems with family or friends).
   • Write about what patterns you developed around your eating and feeling.
   • Record how you feel as you struggle to control your eating pattern.
   • If you are using tricks with people to deceive them and hide your behavior, how does it affect your relationships and your closeness to others? Analyze this in your food journal.
   • Keep a record of your accomplishments in life. This will help you become more aware of what you have done. That list will make you more satisfied with yourself when you realize that the good things are increasing.

6. 

   Seek support from a trusted friend or family member. Tell that person what you are going through.The more common possibility is that they will worry about you and will be willing to help you through your eating disorder, even if they are simply around.
   • Learn to verbalize your feelings and be reassured with those feelings. Assertiveness is not arrogance and selfishness - it is about showing others that you are worth and deserving of respect.
   • One of the main underlying factors that cause many disorders is an inability to fully express one's feelings and preferences. Once this becomes a habit, losing your assertiveness will leave you feeling less valued and incapable of overcoming conflict and sadness. As a result, the disorder becomes a kind of support, "dictates" things (albeit in a very misleading and unhealthy way).

7. 

   Find other ways to deal with your emotions. Think of positive relieving strategies to relax and relax after a stressful day. Allow yourself to have moments of privacy that focus only on yourself. Some suggestions are listening to music, taking a walk, watching the sunset or writing a journal. Such activities are endless - they excite and relax you, helping you cope with stressful and harmful emotions.
   • Work that you have wanted for a long time, but have not had the time or been arranged yet. Sign up for a new class you've always wanted to try, start a blog or website, choose to learn an instrument, go on vacation or read a book.
   • Some alternative therapies can help treat an eating disorder. Talk to your doctor about your ability to try activities like meditation, yoga, massage, or acupuncture.

8. 

   Adopt healthy coping mechanisms to combat stress. Rely on yourself when you feel out of control. Calling someone and paying attention to the person's voice, touching things around you like a desk, stuffed toy, home wall or hugging someone can give you peace of mind. Rely on methods that allow you to reconnect with reality and not dwell on the past or present.
   • Find good sleep and create healthy sleep habits. Sleep can help restore your vision and energy. If you don't get enough sleep because of stress and anxiety, find ways to improve your sleep habits.

9. 

   Treat yourself as well as everyone else. You look at the people around you, you find them beautiful with their own characteristics, and judge yourself that way. Look at your inner beauty instead of your flaws. Stop being harsh at your looks - every human body shape is a miracle, every moment of life is blown into the continuity of time, and you deserve to be happy here. , right now.

10. 

    Move the scale aside. Getting on the scale every day is something no one should do regardless of eating disorder or not. Because by doing so, you are drawing a graph of unrealistic fluctuations in the individual's weight and setting yourself up with an obsession with numbers instead of focusing on the population. Gradually reduce your weight gain steps until you only weigh once or twice a month.
    • Use clothes as a ruler instead of a scale. Choose a suit within the healthy weight you like best and use it as your yardstick for good looking appearance and proper weight.

11. 

    Take small steps. Cherish every small change towards a healthier person and take it a big step forward in the recovery process. Gradually increase your diet and reduce the amount of exercise, etc. Trying to stop suddenly not only makes you more emotionally difficult, but can also shock your body and cause problems. other about health. Again, this should be done under professional supervision, like a specialist treating an eating disorder.
    • If you lose weight severely, you cannot take small steps. In this case, you need to stay in hospital and receive treatment with a special diet to ensure that the body receives the essential nutrients.
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Method 3 of 4: Helping a Friend Cope with an Eating Disorder

1. 

   Learn how to define it eating disorder. If you notice that your friend has signs of an eating disorder, don't hesitate to intervene. The condition becomes very serious once the signs listed above appear, and the better it is to help your friend fight the disease.
   • Read about eating disorders to learn more.
   • Willingness to do everything possible to get the patient to the appropriate specialist treatment as quickly as possible. Also be ready to help with the treatment and act as a supporter if needed.

2. 

   
   
   Speak privately with you. Pull your friend aside, sweetly ask what she's going through and say what you noticed. Be gentle, and above all without judgment. Say that you care for her and want to help in all your power. Ask her to suggest things you can help with.
   • Act as a source of peace in her life. Avoid exaggerating, not acting shocked or making noise.
   • For example, avoid blaming such as “I knew you shouldn't hang out with those girls. All of them are skinny. ”

3. 

   
   
   Show your interest in sentences with the subject "I". Instead of scolding your friend, just let her see how worried you are. Say things like “I care about you and hope you are well. What can I do for you? "

4. 

   Stay with that person. Listen to their problems without judgment, encouraging them to express their feelings so they don't feel indifferent to their difficulties. This takes real listening skills, and you need to repeat or summarize feelings their, let them reassure you that you are listening and understanding their pain. Support, but don't try to control it.
   • See the article "How to Listen" for more advice on active listening.
   • Loving, caring and open-minded. Love who they are.

5. 

   
   
   Don't talk about food or weight in a negative way. When going out for lunch, avoid saying things like "I can't eat ice cream, but I really shouldn't…". Also, don't ask about what she ate or didn't, how much weight she lost or gained, etc. and never describes her disappointment at her weight loss.
   • Avoid asking her to gain weight.
   • Never offend or blame a sick person for their eating disorder. This is out of control.
   • Avoid jokes about body weight or other topics that your friend might misunderstand.

6. 

   Stay positive. Use compliments and help raise your friend's self-esteem in everything she does, not just physically. Compliment her when she is with you. Help a friend with an eating disorder get over the problem with love and consideration.

7. 

   
   
   Find help for your friend. Discuss with your counselor, therapist, partner or parent about best practices for helping your friend. As mentioned above, this is the most important part of a person's recovery, so do whatever you can to facilitate it. advertisement

Method 4 of 4: Action for Parents and Caregivers

1. 

   
   
   Note the advice in the section for friends. Many of the treatments in this area also apply to people in a care position or living with someone with an eating disorder. On top of that, you need to make sure the sick person gets medical care and treatment; If you are the person's legal responsibility, you should seek professional help immediately.
   • This section presupposes that the person with the eating disorder is a child or teen, but your adult children or family member may experience the majority of these symptoms as well.

2. 

   
   
   Calm and support. As a family member, you will be in regular contact with your children, and they need to know that you are not angry with them or that you are not going to rush to ask for each meeting.This takes great restraint, but it's time for you and for the sick person to learn, and you need patience, courage, and calmness to be a positive and effective support person.
   • Be affectionate and considerate. The sick person needs to know that they are loved. "I love you______. We will get through this together. ”
   • Support therapy without trying to invade your child's privacy or gain control. Do not ask invasive questions, do not address your child's weight directly, and if you have specific concerns, ask your therapist.

3. 

   Maintain love and concern for all family members. Don't forget others just because you're busy helping the sick. If all the attention and anxiety are on the child alone, other people will feel ignored, and the sick person feels overly noticed. As much as you can, focus on creating a balance that nurtures and supports everyone in the family. (and ask everyone to do the same).

4. 

   Always ready for emotional support. It can be easy to ignore, withdraw or leave your child alone if you feel helpless or angry about it. However, withdrawing emotional support will cause serious harm to the child. You can love your baby and effectively handle the child's dominant habits. If you find it difficult, talk to your doctor for advice.
   • Your child will recognize your concern if you do not push them but let them know that they are willing to listen if they need to talk. “I know you are confused. I understand that it may take you time to get over what is happening. I just want you to know that I am always with you and that you can tell me anything. ”

5. 

   Consider eating as a life maintenance, nutritious and complete part of the daily routine of the family. If someone in the home mentions food or weighs in with phobias, that person needs restraint. Talk to anyone in the family who does it without thinking. Also, do not use food as a punishment or reward while parenting. Food is something to be valued, not for sharing or serving as a reward. If the whole family needs to change their perception of food, then this is a good way to move forward for everyone.
   • Do not try to limit the food intake for the sick person, unless directed by a medical professional.

6. 

   Know how to criticize the messages of the media. Teach your child not to immediately take in media messages. Infuse your child with critical thinking skills and encourage them to question the messages presented by the media and learn to question the perceptions of their friends and influencers.
   • Encourage open communication from an early age. Teach children to communicate with their parents openly and frankly, and you talk to them in the same way. If the child did not feel the need to hide anything, the major cause of the eating disorder was eliminated.

7. 

   Builds the self-esteem of children with an eating disorder. Show them that you love them no matter what happens, and praise them often when they're doing well. If your child fails at something, accept it and help him learn to accept it as well. In fact, one of the best lessons a parent or caregiver can teach a child is how to learn from failure and how to give a resilience to trying again.
   • Help your child accept and love his body. Encourage your child to exercise and build confidence from a young age. Explain the importance of resilience and strength through exercise, helping your child see the value of going outdoors and being in nature by regularly walking, cycling, and hiking with your child Grandmother or jogging. If possible, participate in a family jogging, cycling, triathlon event, or family triathlon so your child grows up with the notion that the activity is healthy and bonding. .
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Advice

• Remember that real-life models and actors are not as perfect as their magazine covers. There is an entire team of makeup specialists, costumes and body painters that make them look more perfect than they really are. Furthermore, more and more stories are revealing about using photoshop to make those characters look different from reality - comparing yourself to magazine images is unfair. with you.
• Only eat when hungry. We sometimes experience sweet cravings when we are bored or discouraged, but this has side effects on our health and appearance. You feel the need to sweeten it in times of sadness because sugar and other sugary foods contain endorphins, and when the endorphins in your body drop, you often feel like you need to eat sweet food. Try to make your endorphins through physical activity - exercise has a similar effect on happiness with no side effects on your weight. If you experience a craving for sweets and snacks when you are bored, you may have emotional eating (also a form of eating disorder).
• Look for models with healthier beauty than unreal images in newspapers or magazines. Don't aspire to look like super skinny models on runways. Pay more attention to the beauty that you find in everyday people of all shapes and sizes.

Warning

• If at any time you don't feel like eating for days in a row or you vomit right after eating, Please stop. An eating disorder usually begins this way.

What you need

• Food diary
• Information about eating disorders
• A doctor who specializes in eating disorders