Help for eating disorders is offered in many different facets. Women and men can suffer from eating disorders should understand that they are not alone in their illness and there is support in every community with resources and specialists that can provide help for eating disorders. An eating disorder can be defined as an unnatural intake of food and a fear associated with gaining weight. The causes of eating disorders can be both psychological (mental and emotional) and being genetically predisposed to the illness in addition to sociological pressures.

The Most Common Eating Disorders

The two foremost eating disorders are identified as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Although they may differ slightly, both anorexia and bulimia are similar in concept. Both illnesses are centered on food and weight control, but the causes and interpretation can be either psychological, genetic or both. Weight control and weight loss are the main objectives in all types of eating disorders, but methods may vary upon the type of disorder and thus the help for eating disorders. 

Anorexia Nervosa

Those struggling with anorexia reduce food intake to a sub-nutritional level and maintain an unusually low weight as their concerns are typically centered on weight gain. Women who are suffering from anorexia nervosa usually resemble the consequences and symptoms of those of starvation whereas someone struggling with bulimia may be more difficult to spot. 

Bulimia Nervosa

Women suffering from bulimia may be underweight, overweight or they may have a “normal” body weight. Bulimia is typically characterized by cycles of bingeing and purging, where food intake may occur, but digestion is prevented by removing the food via diuretics or forced vomiting. 

Eating Disorder Side Effects

Most of these eating disorders are ways for women to cope with their life problems which include stress, anxiety and depression as well as society pressures to look a certain way. Help for eating disorders is essential as these illnesses are all very dangerous and can be risky as they can cause major damage and pressure on the body.

Any type of eating disorder can cause malnutrition and the severe dysfunction of the body’s major organs.

Problems with metabolism, blood, kidneys, brain and even the heart can all be caused by an eating disorder. The stop in a woman’s menstrual cycle may stop when a woman is active in her eating disorder, which would result in massive losses of calcium for her body, which could lead to a condition called osteoporosis, which is a long-term prognosis. The effects of an eating disorder on the heart can include fluttering of the heart and weakening of the hear muscle which could eventually lead to heart failure. 

For the medical reasons alone it is essential for those suffering from this illness find help for eating disorders.

Finding Help for Eating Disorders

An eating disorder is a serious condition which requires the attention and help of trained specialists, therapists, nutritionists and doctors, all of which Safe Harbor Treatment Center for Women, located in Southern California, provides. Help for eating disorders and treatment should always include the help of professionals and guidance of medical doctors as an eating disorder involves the body and the mind. Without the proper help for eating disorders, the condition could very seriously lead to death.

Professional Help

Professional recommendations when providing help for eating disorders emphasize that at a young age, parents, teachers and mentors should help to model healthy eating and proper exercise habits at school and at home. Eating disorders are often the result of low self-esteem ad low self-confidence in the suffering woman. To prevent low self-esteem and low self-confidence in their child, parents should practice accepting their child for who they are and not how they should look. Parents, mentors and friends that are encouraging their loved one to loose weight should be very cautious and educated with their approach as it is an extremely sensitive issue even for those who are not suffering from the disease. An open and comfortable environment should be created by healthy communication and relationships within the family and the child’s immediate community.

Help From Loved Ones

Support is also essential and crucial for those who need help for eating disorders. This disease can feel lonely and support and understanding from parents, friends and family is essential to diminish these feelings and guide their loved one towards recovery.

Parents should try to set realistic expectations for their children and should not magnify the importance of appearance and skinniness. Parents should also be aware of their peers or social groups that may be pressuring their child to be thin or diet to fit in. Avoiding those kinds of people and surrounding a child with people who are less judgmental on appearance is usually the best way to prevent the development of an eating disorder as well as help those who are currently suffering from an eating disorder. Beginning at a young age, an active lifestyle is suggested as the best way to prevent body concerns and possible psychological disorders. It is important for young adults to be active in extra curricular activities that help to create a healthy social life and can boost self-esteem and self-confidence. Activities such as sports can help to provide proper exercise for a young adult resulting in complete health.

Safe Harbor Treatment Center Can Help

Safe Harbor Treatment Center for Women located in Southern California offers 90-day treatment for women who need help for eating disorders. It has been studied that although medication is a part of finding help for eating disorders, it is not effective alone. Prescribing medication without professional and communal support from a treatment facility is often found not to work. Medication is usually prescribed to treat the causes and symptoms of an eating disorder, such as anxiety, depression, obsessive thoughts or gastric discomfort. Short-term hospitalization is insufficient for finding help for an eating disorders and its treatment, although it may help interrupt symptoms temporarily.

 It is important to understand that a key strategy when treating someone suffering from an eating disorder, is providing: Education and understanding about the disease, Hospitalization to prevent death, suicide and medical crisis and Weight restoration to improve health, mood and cognitive functioning. At Safe Harbor Treatment Center for Women, the 24-7 staff is educated and specializes in helping and treating women who suffer from all types of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

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