Overcoming Anorexia

• Are you terrified of gaining weight?
• Do you feel fat even though you’re constantly told you’re underweight?
• Does your fear of gaining weight cause you to obsess over calories, skip meals, and/or exercise excessively?

If you’ve answered “yes” to these questions, it’s possible that you suffering from an eating disorder known as anorexia.

Anorexia is more common in females than males (90% of sufferers are females), but it does affect both genders.  It often appears in the teenage years, though sometimes it can develop in childhood or adulthood.  Anorexia can affect people of all different races, religions, socioeconomic class, etc.

If you are suffering from anorexia, it’s important to know that you are not alone. Many others have been affected by this illness, and have gotten through it with some assistance.

What Factors May Lead to Anorexia?

While situations vary from person to person, there are some factors that are often related to anorexia.  For example:

• Having a family member with an eating disorder
• Perfectionist tendencies
• Genetic predisposition
• Emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
• Participating in activities that favor certain body types (such as dancing, modeling, sports)
• Stressful circumstances such as a death in the family or moving into a new house
• Low self-esteem

How Can I Tell If I Have Anorexia?

If you feel you may have anorexia, you may wish to complete this survey (or if you suspect that a loved one has anorexia, pass it on to him/her).  For each statement, select “true” or “false” depending on whether or not the statement generally describes you.  The more true statements you identify, the more likely it is that you have anorexia.  (*Please note that this survey is NOT a scientific assessment tool; it’s for educational purposes only.  For a proper diagnosis, you’ll need to consult a mental health professional.)

True/False                        I weigh less than is considered healthy.

True/False                        I am terrified of gaining weight.

True/False                        I feel I am overweight even though others tell me I am too thin.

True/False                        I exercise even when I’m injured or don’t feel well.

True/False                        I make excuses to skip mealtime at home and/or eating out with friends.

True/False                        My main focus in life is to control my weight.

True/False                        I count calories obsessively.

True/False                        I have strange eating habits, such as cutting my food into tiny pieces or chewing a precise number of times.

Additionally, you may wish to fill out this checklist of physical symptoms that are caused by starvation.  While these signs may not be present in all cases, they are common in individuals with anorexia.

            Thinning hair

            Loss of menstrual periods

            Weakness, fatigue, and/or fainting

            Constantly feeling cold

            Dry skin

            Purplish skin on arms and legs (from poor blood circulation)

            Slow heartbeat

            Layer of fine, downy hair on body

Is It Possible To Recover On My Own?

Anorexia is a tricky illness, and it’s extremely unlikely that it will improve on its own.  Generally, people with anorexia need professional treatment by a mental health specialist, and sometimes hospitalization is required if their weight has dropped dangerously low.   Therefore, if you feel you might have this disorder, please don’t suffer in silence.

Your life may depend on getting help.  When left untreated, anorexia can lead to death.  But with proper treatment, it is possible to manage the illness and make a strong recovery.  I will explain professional treatment options later.

Reaching Out To A Loved One With Anorexia

If you suspect that someone you know is suffering from this eating disorder, you may wish to reach out and help.  Here are some suggestions for ways to do so:

• Let him/her know you care, and are there to listen and give support.
• Encourage him/her to speak with a mental health professional, and offer to come along if it helps.
• If this person is not an adult, contact his/her parents, teacher, or adult figure that can further assist in getting the necessary treatment underway.

Self-Help Suggestions

Before reading these, please note that self-help suggestions are NOT a replacement for professional help.  These are ways you may be able to help yourself along on your path to recovery, but it’s still important to see a therapist.

• Don’t diet.  Instead, design a meal plan that focuses on nutrition (i.e. getting your body the healthy nutrients it needs), rather than one based on calories.
• When you’re having fear or anxiety about “being fat,” ask yourself what might be the issue behind this preoccupation.  Is it a fear that others won’t love you if you aren’t thin enough?  Is it that you’re afraid of losing control over other areas of your life, so you control your eating?  Gaining insight into your thought patterns may help you to uncover the real issue (it’s generally not about your weight but about other issues within your life), which may help you to fight off these negative feelings about your body.
• Join a support group for people suffering from/recovering from eating disorders.  This will help you to feel less alone, and you can develop a positive support system to assist with recovery.

Seeking Professional Treatment

While the above suggestions may be useful, they are no substitute for psychotherapy with a mental health specialist.  Qualified professionals are trained in methods such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and EMDR, which can help you to release painful memories that may be causing issues in the present and to develop more adaptive thinking and eating patterns.

Anorexia is a dangerous illness, and should be taken seriously. But please remember that you are not alone.  Many others have been in similar pain and have managed to overcome anorexia with proper treatment.

For more information, please contact Mark Dworkin LCSW at (516) 731-7611 or mark@markdworkin.com Mark is available for speaking engagements for the general public and professional communities, radio and tv appearances, seminars, webinars, enhancing professional development, workshops and trainings.