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An eating disorder is a complex psychological disorder that affects every aspect of a person’s functions ( physically, mentally, emotionally and behaviourly).There is usually a combination of risk factors (biological, psychological, family history, environmental and socio-cultural) that combine to create conditions in which an eating disorder develops. The disorder often develops gradually as a response to an upset, bullying, peer pressure, stress, trauma or some other trigger in a person’s life.
It’s important to stress that an eating disorder in not a “lifestyle choice” or a conscious attempt at “attention seeking”. A person does not choose to engage in eating disorder thoughts and behaviours ,rather, they feel compelled to do so. An eating disorder always serves a purpose for a person. While it may appear very destructive, an eating disorder behaviour aften feels like it “helps” a person to cope with difficult feelings and with life. This form of “help” is ultimately short lived and destructive.
The person relies on the eating disorder to cope and they quickly arrive at a situation where they feel they will only be able to cope with life if they hold onto the eating disorder. The person’s sense of their identity becomes entrenched in them holding onto the eating disorder. That is why it is often very scary for a person to think about letting it go as they feel their very survival depends on it. Some people are quite aware of the function of the eating disorder, but, many are not. Engaging in specialised eating disorder therapy supports a person to explore the function of their eating disorder (ie how it “helps” them) and this understanding helps the person to find other healthier, more self-compassionate ways of meeting their psychological needs. Understanding the emotional background of the eating disorder is crucial to developing an appropriate response and treatment approach.
Eating disorders can take many forms .We offer specialised support for the following :
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterised by three aspects:
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A persistent restriction of energy intake (food) leading to a person becoming significantly underweight (for what is expected for their age, sex, developmental stage, and physical health).
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Alongside this energy intake restriction and significant low weight, there must be (for diagnosis) an intense fear of gaining weight or of becoming fat, or a persistent behaviour that interferes with weight gain (even though significantly low weight).
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Disturbance in the way one’s body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body shape and weight on self-evaluation or persistent lack of recognition of the seriousness of the current body weight.
Binge Eating Disorder is characterised by:
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Repeated episodes of binge eating
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A sense of a lack of control over eating during the episode (a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating)
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Inappropriate compensatory behaviours aimed at preventing weight gain (self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics or other medications, fasting suppressants or excessive exercising)
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Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight
Binge Eating Disorder
Bulimia Nervosa
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A person will engage in repeated episodes of binging without purging
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A person may experience considerable weight gain over time
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A person may find themselves trapped in a cycle of dieting, binging, self-recrimination and self-loathing
Important to Remember......
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An eating disorder is a destructive coping mechanism that feels like it serves a very important purpose.
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It serves an important psychological and emotional purpose.
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An eating disorder is not primarily about food .Obsession with food and weight is just the tangible manifestation of this coping mechanism.
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It can feel very frightening for a person to consider letting it go
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Recovery is possible