Drunkorexia September 17, 2009
Posted by badbulimia in anxiety disorders.Tags: anxiety disorder, anxiety disorder treatment, anxiety disorders, anxiety disorders treatment
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A new buzz word in the world of eating disorders is drunkorexia. This is not an official medical term; instead, it’s media shorthand for anorexia or bulimia combined with alcohol abuse. Typically, it is used to describe a young college-age woman who starves herself throughout the day to avoid calories, then goes out at night and drinks to excess.
The name is somewhat of a misnomer because it implies that alcohol abuse is strongly tied to anorexia, not bulimia. However, this is not the case. A woman with anorexia tends to avoid alcohol consumption altogether, due to its high caloric content. Another reason for avoidance is that someone with anorexia is afraid the alcohol will make her lose control, which will then cause her to eat. On occasion, a woman with anorexia may intentionally have a drink in order to counteract anxiety. This anxiety often revolves around thoughts of eating, especially in the company of others. Instead of alcohol, those with anorexia are far more likely to turn to drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine, which provide energy and suppress appetite. Other drugs of choice include nicotine and caffeine; similarly, these substances are used for energy and to stave off hunger.
A woman with bulimia is much more likely to fall into the category of drunkorexia. In fact, alcohol may figure prominently in her binge-purge cycle. In addition to eating huge quantities of food, she imbibes excessively. Not only does she experience the mood altering effects of alcohol, but the large amount of liquid helps her in the purge process. After purging, it is not unusual for her to drink even more, in order to sustain feelings of intoxication. In a minority of cases, alcohol may be the only calories she consumes in a day. This is not beneficial to her body, since alcohol consists of “empty” calories, meaning there is little, if any, nutritive value. She may maintain a desired weight in this manner, but will also suffer malnutrition in the process.
Either way, when substance abuse occurs among those with anorexia or bulimia, it exacerbates a situation that is already extremely dangerous, and can be, deadly.
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Pregorexia September 17, 2009
Posted by badbulimia in anorexia disorder treatment.Tags: anorexia disorder, anorexia disorder treatment, anorexia treatment, eating disorder treatment, eating disorders
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There are many things a mother-to-be can do to maximize the possibility of having a problem-free pregnancy, a healthy baby and positive birth experience. Regular, moderate exercise is one of them. When an expectant mother exercises, her heart rate increases, as does her baby’s. It’s as if the baby inside her body is also getting a mini work-out. Throughout her pregnancy, she receives all the health benefits of any exercise regimen, including increased energy, muscle tone and strength, and better, more restful sleep. At the conclusion of her pregnancy, a woman who remains active will enjoy an easier labor and delivery. Her newborn will also experience trickle-down health benefits from the mother’s activity, such as a higher IQ. What’s more, by remaining active, it will be easier to shed any residual pregnancy pounds. When exercise is moderate, and done under a doctor’s supervision and care, it is extremely positive for all involved.
Unfortunately, with society’s obsession with remaining thin, some women have taken exercise to an extreme, even while pregnant. The media term for this is “pregorexia.” This is when a pregnant woman consistently exercises to an unhealthy degree; when in fact, she is far more concerned with weight than health. This is highly individualized; in other words, what is considered excessive for one woman does not hold true across the board. However, if a woman is routinely exercising to the point of exhaustion, this should be considered a red flag. To make matters worse, this inordinate focus on weight gain often extends to her diet, as well. She may take in far fewer calories than her body requires, possibly causing risk to her unborn baby, in the form of lower birth weight, birth defects and growth retardation. However, by restricting calories, she is even more likely to cause harm to herself. You see, the first priority where a pregnancy is concerned, is the baby. For example, if calcium appears to be in short supply, the growing baby will get what’s available, while the mother goes without. By cutting back, or eliminating calcium-rich products altogether, the mother may experience osteoporosis far earlier than she should.
What is causing pregorexia? A couple of factors. First, as mentioned, America is utterly obsessed with thinness, witness the fact that ten million women and girls currently have eating disorders. Now, add to that, our fascination with celebrities, mostly actresses and models, many of whom seem to be having babies lately. And the truth is, these beautiful people, go right on looking amazing during their pregnancies. It only gets worse after they deliver; within about an hour of having a baby, these women look splendid – back in their tight pre-baby clothes. Of course, few expectant or new mothers gazing at the photos of these new moms in glossy magazines keep in mind that the pictures are probably altered to make the celebrity appear far better – and thinner — than she really is.
So … women throughout America say to themselves: if they can do it, so can I. But the problem is, they can’t, simply because they live real lives. Normal, everyday women have jobs, families, other children; they have to drop the little one off at kindergarten, take another to the dentist, they have to pick up dry cleaning and make sure homework is done. Even if it is a first pregnancy, normal women in today’s society have a lot of responsibilities, undoubtedly including a job. What’s more, average women do not have full-time nannies for other children, daily personal trainers or live-in chefs. In short, average women do not have unlimited amounts of money to spend on their personal appearance, pregnancy or no. Therefore, trying to fashion themselves after celebrities is not only unrealistic it is unfair. These women are setting themselves up to fail and ultimately feel badly about themselves.
If you are pregnant … rejoice! Eat well, remain fit, gain a healthy amount of weight and see your primary care physician regularly. Do not compare yourselves to others, especially those you see in magazines. Instead, focus on the blessing of the healthy baby that is soon to be a wonderful addition to your life.
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Anorexia Tests September 17, 2009
Posted by badbulimia in anorexia treatment.Tags: anorexia disorder, anorexia disorder treatment, anorexia treatment, eating disorders, eating disorders treatment
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Anorexia nervosa is a disease; however, unlike many other conditions such as leukemia, HIV, or kidney disease, there is no blood test available to detect its presence in the human body. One diagnostic tool often used by physicians and dieticians is the SCOFF screen, which asks the following questions:
1. Do you make yourself sick because you feel uncomfortably full?
2. Do you worry you have lost control over how much you eat?
3. Have you recently lost more than 15 pounds in a three-month period?
4. Do you believe yourself to be fat when others say you are too thin?
5. Would you say that food dominates your life?
A “yes” answer to two or more of these questions indicates an eating disorder may be present.
Keeping the above in mind, there is much that can be done to discover whether or not a family member has anorexia. Observation is the first line of defense for any parent. If an adolescent is losing a great deal of weight, or a young child is failing to gain weight at an expected rate, something is probably wrong, especially if she has body image issues or possesses a genuine fear of gaining weight. Other observable signs along the mental-health line are anxiety, depression, or inability to concentrate. At the very least, these children should be seen by the family doctor or a primary care provider. If other medical conditions are ruled out, anorexia should be considered. Remember, children as young as six are currently being diagnosed with eating disorders.
It is important to detect changes in diet and eating habits. This extends to breakfast, snacks, and most importantly, dinner. Most parents already know how key it is for a family to share dinner together, simply as a bonding or catching-up time with one another. Dinnertime is also an opportunity to watch a child eat. When we say eat, we mean the food needs to actually be consumed. A common anorexia behavior is the ability to not eat, while all the time making others think the opposite. A standard technique is to slip food to the family pet, or hide it in a napkin, to be thrown away later. Often, food is pushed around on the plate, to make it appear as though there is less of it at the end of the meal.
If anorexia is suspected, communication is a good place to start. Talk with the young child or adolescent about general subjects such as school, sports, or friends. These conversations may lead to related topics that may elicit more insight regarding feelings and emotions. Do not expect the child to admit to having an eating disorder, because the truth is, they rarely do. This is not a privacy issue, it is the secrecy and deception that is part of the disease. In some cases, the child may be forthcoming and agree to change her behaviors regarding food, get back on the right track and take better care of her health; but again, probably not.
Professional treatment is often required with anorexia. Many people find a good outpatient therapist and are able to engage in counseling while still at home. However, if real change isn’t seen in a reasonable amount of time, inpatient treatment is recommended. Since 1990, Remuda Programs for Eating Disorders has treated nearly 8,000 women and girls. Remuda offers three distinct programs for children, adolescent girls, and adults. Remuda has an unparalleled recovery rate of 95% over one, five, and ten years.
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Orthorexia September 17, 2009
Posted by badbulimia in bulimia treatment.Tags: bulimia disorder, bulimia disorder treatment, bulimia treatment, eating disorders
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Eating healthy foods is certainly beneficial, especially these days when fast food and junk food are the norm for so many individuals and families. However, it is possible to overdo a good thing, even in this arena. Some people have succumbed to an eating disorder sometimes referred to as orthorexia. This is when an individual is completely obsessed with healthy foods; indeed, orthorexia nervosa is considered by some authorities to be a medical condition in which the sufferer systematically avoids specific foods in the belief that they are harmful.
As with any obsessive behavior, the problem stems from a complete preoccupation with one thing to the exclusion of everything else. Those with orthorexia spend shocking amounts of time on ensuring what they consider to be a healthy diet.
Orthorexics are consumed by a need to eliminate “bad” foods from their diets. This desire to be as healthy as possible starts innocently enough. They may initially cut out “white” products: sugar, bleached flour, rice. But they don’t stop there, and perhaps all processed foods are the next to go. The problem is, anyone looking hard enough, can and will find fault with every food. Slowly, the list of “good” foods becomes more and more limited. In turn, someone with orthorexia must spend inordinate amounts of time researching food products, then planning and preparing their own meals. Indeed, this focus becomes so time and labor intensive that it starts cutting into the time normally spent at work, leisure pursuits, and time traditionally reserved for friends and family. This obsession with dietary rules and restrictions truly takes over their lives.
If you think you might be heading in this direction, consider the following questions:
- Are you obsessed with maintaining a healthy weight?
- Does food preparation and planning occupy a disproportionate amount of your time?
- Do you feel isolated from your friends and family by your dietary requirements?
- Have friends or loved ones suggested that your interest in healthy eating has become an obsession?
Answering “yes” to any or all of the above questions should be considered a red flag. You might want to consult a health professional, such as a dietitian or primary care provider for help and guidance. Food, like all things, should simply be an aspect of life, not the exclusive focus of any life.
For more information about eating disorders please visit www.remudaranch.com
Eating Disorders In Boys: What Parents Should Know September 17, 2009
Posted by badbulimia in eating disorders treatment.Tags: eating disorder, eating disorder treatment, eating disorders, eating disorders treatment
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It seems that the answer to the following question should be so obvious: Who gets eating disorders? Women and girls, right? Actually … yes, but… More and more, boys are at risk for these disorders as well. Today, anorexia, bulimia, and especially, binge-eating disorder are on the rise in the male population.
What most parents want to know, regardless of gender, is “Why?” To a large degree, the cultural pressure that has been placed on girls for decades to be perfect in achievement and appearance has now been extended to boys. With females, perfection usually translates to “thin,” whereas with boys, thin is joined by lean, muscular, and possessing a masculine physique, as the key set of issues. This insidious message is far more pervasive than a parent might think.
Take male action figures – a multi-million dollar industry in the US. In essence, action toys are to boys what Barbie is to girls. Studies reveal that over recent decades, these action figures have transformed into completely unrealistic shapes. Either they resemble the physiques of advanced bodybuilders, or they display a body that is not even humanly obtainable, especially in the area of the chest and shoulders. Only through extreme steroid abuse could any “real” person even come vaguely close to replicating these distorted figures. Yet, just as some little girls want to grow up and look like Barbie, some little boys want to become big and strong, just like the toys they play with everyday.
Anorexia is diagnosed in boys as young as eight, with an average age of onset between 12 and 14. Often the eating disorder is driven by an obsession with fitness. Either the boy is involved in sports, and sees weight loss as beneficial to performance, or he is not engaged in sports, but wants to be, and views weight loss as the key. Either way, he eats less and less, while increasing his level of daily exercise. Initially, this behavior often appears positive to parents – their son is taking care of his body, getting in shape. The problem is that anorexia is an addictive behavior. As difficult as it is for a parent to imagine, starvation can become an addiction—one that is extremely hard to break.
Body image and appearance are not the only motivating factors for boys with anorexia. As with their female counterparts, extreme weight loss in boys can be a way to exert control in a chaotic world, shift the focus of the family, or serve as a mask for their troubled emotional state.
Interestingly, boys are highly influenced by health-related concerns. Whereas a girl may engage in an eating disorder because her mother is overweight and she does not want to follow in her footsteps, a boy is more likely to do so because his father is ill. Say a father is obese and has diabetes. The fact that the father is fat doesn’t necessarily trouble the boy; but the fact that he is sick does. The boy may say to himself, “that will never happen to me,” then embark on a habit of dietary restricting.
Bulimia and binge-eating disorder, or BED, usually manifest in boys when they are well into their teens. With the former, they engage in compensatory behavior such as vomiting or extreme exercise; with the latter, they do not. With both, enormous quantities of food are consumed at one time, usually two to three times a week. This type of inordinate food consumption is in no way related to physiological hunger; instead, it is tied to emotions. Food is used as a distraction, or a method to cope with unpleasant emotions such as anxiety, depression, loneliness, or anger. Boys, in effect, find solace or comfort in food.
So … what is a parent to do? Perhaps the most important thing to do is simply observe your son. As a boy ages, he should grow. Weight gain, along with increased height, are natural and normal. If he suddenly becomes overly finicky about what he will or won’t eat and starts losing weight, you should be concerned. This is particularly true if he is simultaneously increasing his activity level and becoming compulsive about the need to exercise. In the case of bulimia or BED, other behavioral changes, especially regarding food, should be noted. And though a standard perception of teenage boys is that they always eat you out of house and home, this is different. If a boy is eating in secret, eating a large amount of food in a seemingly uncontrolled fashion, even stealing food, something is probably amiss. If a boy is involved in these types of behaviors, it’s time to take a closer look at how he is doing in school, his grades, his friendships, his mood and general attitude.
In short, it is important for parents to know that eating disorders can occur in sons, as well as daughters. But it is equally important to know that help and healing are available.
For more information about eating disorders please visit www.remudaranch.com
