Content

• Steps
• Warning

When a person refuses to consume the amount of food and drink needed to maintain a healthy body weight, has distorted thoughts about body image and the terrible fear of gaining weight, it means that person that is suffering from anorexia. Anorexia is an extremely dangerous eating disorder that can lead to dehydration, lower blood pressure, loss of bone density, and fainting among other consequences. Fortunately, you can fight anorexia with the right combination of physical, psychological, and social therapies.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Meeting your physical needs

1. 

   Get emergency treatment if necessary. Anorexia can cause serious life-threatening problems. If you need urgent care, the first thing you will definitely have to do is go to the emergency room.
   • Seek emergency help if you experience arrhythmia, dehydration, or electrolyte imbalance.
   • Symptoms of an electrolyte imbalance include: weakness, muscle spasms, confusion, tachycardia, lethargy, convulsions.
   • If you feel suicidal or want to harm yourself, seek urgent care.
   • Depending on the severity, your doctor may put you in hospital for treatment. In milder cases, you may be sent home for outpatient treatment.

2. 

   
   
   See a licensed dietitian. This is the person who plays a very important role in your recovery. A registered dietitian can tell you how much weight you need to gain and which foods are best for providing the calories and nutrients you need to improve your health.
   • A registered dietitian will work with you to create special daily menus for each week. These meals will provide the necessary calories while maintaining a healthy balance.
   • A dietitian may also recommend some vitamin and mineral supplements. Supplements should never be a substitute for food, but only be used to quickly provide nutrients that the body lacks.

3. 

   
   
   Restore a healthy weight. Whether or not you have complications, you need to return your body to a normal and healthy weight based on your height, gender, and age. Your doctor will work with you, but you must also be determined to achieve this goal.
   • In severe cases, you may first need to eat through a tube inserted into the stomach through the nose.
   • Once your immediate nutritional needs have been met, you need to be addressed your long term weight needs.
   • Typically, weight gain between 450 and 1350 g per week is considered a safe, healthy goal.

4. 

   
   
   Schedule a periodic checkup. Your primary care doctor will periodically check your weight and general health. It is best to schedule these appointments in advance.
   • During the exams, your doctor will check your vital signs, water and electrolytes. Any medical conditions involved will be examined.

5. 

   Look for medications that may help. There are currently no drugs that have a direct effect on anorexia, but some medical conditions that make anorexia worse can be treated with medications prescribed by a doctor.
   • Depression is also linked to anorexia, so you may need antidepressants to treat it.
   • You may also need increased estrogen to regulate the menstrual cycle and prevent fractures.
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Part 2 of 4: Psychotherapy

1. 

   Admit that you have anorexia. There are many resources that can assist you. However, to be effective, you first need to admit to yourself that you have anorexia, and that this is a serious threat to your health and well-being.
   • Until now you still have the perverse thought that you will feel better if you lose more weight. When this kind of unhealthy thinking has been ingrained in your mind for too long, it becomes a prejudice that cannot be easily erased.
   • Admit to yourself that your relentless pursuit of this goal has reached the point of harm. You also need to acknowledge that you are experiencing both physical and emotional harm from your pursuit.

2. 

   Get cognitive-behavioral therapy. See a psychiatrist or counselor for private therapy. A mental health professional can work with you to find the underlying psychological cause of your eating disorder.
   • With cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), the therapist will help you understand that your thinking patterns, negative self-dialogue, and negative self-image perceptions influence such as How come your negative eating habits.
   • This also means identifying erroneous patterns of thinking and beliefs and then striving towards corrective solutions.
   • Special behavioral interventions are also recommended by doctors. You may be asked to set goals and rewards yourself for having met them.
   • CBT therapy is time-limited, so you will be treated in batches. You can have outpatient or inpatient treatment.

3. 

   Consider family therapy. Stress and stress from society are often a factor in the causes of anorexia. If these are the issues that are contributing to your problems, consider talking to a family counselor, marriage counselor or other counseling group.
   • Family therapy is the most common type of social therapy. This therapy is usually performed in the presence of the patient and everyone in the family. However, in some cases, families will be consulted when the patient is not present.
   • Anomalous family activity is often identified through these therapy sessions. Once identified, the therapist will work with the family to make changes to help correct the problem.
   • Sometimes a family's attitude or motivation unintentionally encourages anorexia. It is important to understand that families with a focus on perfection, difficulty coping with negative emotions, and anxiety about (both parents and children's) appearance, shape and weight can contribute to the development of the disorder. eating disorder.

4. 

   Follow the treatment regimen. There may be times when you want to stop seeking help or skip some sessions, but it's important to stick to your treatment regimen, no matter how frustrating or frustrating you feel. Eating disorders, including anorexia, have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. People with this disorder may die from malnutrition, impaired organ function, heart failure, or suicide. Getting treatment can save your life. advertisement

Part 3 of 4: Receiving emotional and social support

1. 

   Talk about this. Find a few trustworthy loved ones and try to talk to them about your problems with your eating pattern and visual awareness.
   • Know that it's natural to feel scared, embarrassed, or complacent about it. No matter how you feel, it helps to talk.
   • Make sure to confide in someone who will help you, not hurt you. Someone who promotes unhealthy eating habits or criticizes you will not be the right person to comfort and encourage you.
   • If you feel uncomfortable talking to your family member, find a teacher or counselor to talk with.

2. 

   Find a support group. Ask your doctor, dietitian or counselor to recommend a local support group for an eating disorder. Many team members are dealing with similar issues too, so you may find sympathy and encouragement.
   • Stick to formal support groups guided by a mental health professional for best results.
   • Some informal groups may suddenly turn to anorexia and encourage people to emulate who is the thinnest.

3. 

   Find a positive role model. Find at least one character you know, someone who can be your role model both physically and mentally. Whenever you feel conflicted about something about anorexia, look at your idol to go in the right direction.
   • Your role model could be an acquaintance or a celebrity.
   • However, you need to make sure your idol really shows good health. For example, don't choose a super skinny model or a famous weight loss expert. The better option in this case is someone with a positive self-image, even if they don't have the perfect body.

4. 

   Stay away from irritants. You need to stay away from psychological, emotional, or social events that can provoke negative feelings about your self-image, underestimation or similar issues, especially when you are on top. journey of recovery. It is important to consider external factors that may affect your behavior. This is not to blame others or avoid responsibility; that is to achieve the panoramic view instead of a close-up "selfie".
   • You may need to give up or rethink joining slender activities or sports like ballet, gymnastics, modeling, actors, running, skating. ice, swimming, horseback riding or wrestling.
   • Avoid looking at fashion and fitness magazines.
   • Do not visit websites that advocate anorexia.
   • Keep some distance from friends who usually diet or discuss weight loss, or who advocate for unhealthy weight loss (exerting too much exercise and eliminating partying, making weight loss "pacts" , etc ...)
   • Resist the urge to gain weight.

5. 

   Treat your body well. Find a way to comfort yourself from time to time. As you lovingly take care of your body, you will gradually learn to love your body and will be less inclined to mistreat yourself by refusing to eat properly.
   • Wear comfortable clothing. Dress in a style that shows your personality rather than to impress others.
   • Regularly nurture your body with a massage, a manicure, a bubble bath, a new perfume or scented lotion.

6. 

   
   
   Find ways to stay positive. You need to be active in both physical and social activities. This can help regulate your physical and mental health. However, keep in mind that overtraining is often used by some people with eating disorders as a way to compensate for their eating. Do not let the situation happen to avoid the melon peel meeting the coconut shell. Check with your doctor for the exercise type and timing that is right for you.
   • High-intensity cardio will make it harder to gain weight, so cut back on that type of activity. On the other hand, light exercise like yoga can help with good blood circulation and feel good.
   • The feeling of wanting to separate yourself during this time can be powerful, but you need to resist. Spend more time with friends and family. If that is not your choice then you should find a way to get involved in the community.

7. 

   
   
   Remind yourself. Regularly remind yourself of the things you will lose if you give up and everything you will gain if you continue your journey of recovery. Social support is important, but self-support is just as important.
   • A simple way to keep reminding yourself is to write yourself a message. Write down encouraging words like, "I'm beautiful", or "I'm making progress", and stick them on the mirror or on the cupboard.
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Part 4 of 4: Helping someone else

1. 

   
   
   Become a positive influencer. Let your loved one see you as a role model for your physical and mental health. Maintain a balanced diet, treat your body with love and respect. Don't torture yourself when you find a spot on your body that you don't like. Paint an image of a healthy body by highlighting your body and trying to refute the "ideal" body image that is considered an idol in the media. You know someone is looking at you and they need encouragement.
   • Eat well and exercise.
   • Don't leave fashion and fitness magazines around, especially within the person's line of sight.
   • Don't make negative comments about your weight or that of others.
   • Praise the person for qualities that are unrelated to body image, like intelligence or creativity.

2. 

   Eat together. A good way to gradually get your loved one back into healthy eating habits is to spend time with them. Create a fun atmosphere and enjoyable meals to make a positive impression.

3. 

   Help but not make the person feel claustrophobic. You should always be willing to support your loved one, but putting pressure on them can actually make them feel distant. Remind the person that you are ready to talk or listen whenever they need it.
   • Avoid acting like you are a food supervisor. Be mindful of the foods and calories consumed by the person, but don't stand behind them watching during the meal.
   • Avoid negative communication, that is, avoid threats, intimidation, anger, and humiliation.
   • Reinforce positive behaviors instead of spending time focusing on the negative ones. Congratulate your friend for every small step in the right direction, such as eating a whole meal or refraining from looking in the mirror and criticizing yourself.

4. 

   Be patient and calm. In a sense, you need to consider yourself an objective observer. This is that person's fight, not yours. Making a distinction can help keep you from taking things personally.
   • Seeing yourself as an observer or an outsider can initially feel powerless, but when you are forced to admit that a solution is out of your control, you can deal with reason and objectivity. than.
   • Take care of your own mental health. If anorexia of a loved one is causing you psychological and emotional problems, seek a counselor.
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Warning

• If you suspect that you or someone you know has anorexia, get help as soon as possible. The earlier you are treated, the faster you will recover. Early treatment can also help prevent dangerous health complications.