Signs, Causes, and Treatment of Bulimia and Anorexia Eating Disorders

People with Bulimia, like those with Anorexia, do not see their bodiesrealistically. They see themselves in as no matter what the true reflection is. To attain thinness a Bulimic will allow themselves to eat, but then, feel very guilty. As a result of this guilt they will force themselves to throw up, exercise excessively, fast, and often abuse laxatives. This cycle is called binging and purging. A person with Bulimia may range in wieght from slightly underwieght to normal to slightly overweight. This may make it hardto recognize the disorder. Bulimia, like Anorexia, is unhealthy and dangerous because of malnutrition and dehydration.

People suffering from Anorexia want very much to be thin. To attain this, they simply stop eating and starve themselves. Regardless of their actualweight, patients with Anorexia will continue to starve themselves even asthey are becoming dangerously thin. Eating so little can cause serious healthproblems, malnutrion, and sadly even death.

People with this eating disorder, like the Bulimic will binge. The difference isthe compulsive over eater will not purge, although they may feel guilty ordiet often. Compulsive over eaters, may range from normal to overweight. Their health may suffer from poor nutrition and diet habits.

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Group therapy is not only an appropriate modality, but often a chosen modality for its cost- savings as well as its powerful effects. In groups specifically devoted to issues of eating disorders, a patient can gain not only support for the gradual gains theyaccomplish, but also be confronted on issues more easily than in individual therapy.

Children and adolescents can also suffer from this disorder. Treatment for thispopulation needs to emphasize and increase the positive reinforcements granted foreach incremental weight gain. These should occur on a daily basis and differentrewards should be given for different increments gained (e.g., a reward for 1/4 lb.should be different than a reward for a 1/2 lb.). By focusing on weight increase and notfood intake, this technique will likely minimize distracting and useless arguments.

Hospitalization of anybody for a mental disorder can often be a confusing andemotion-wrought decision. Family members or significant others may need to intervenein the patient's life to ensure they do not starve themselves to death. In these cases,hospitalization is not only necessary, but a prudent treatment intervention. Familymembers should be aware that individuals who suffer from anorexia nervosa will oftenresist treatment of any sort, especially hospitalization. It is important, therefore, tocome to an agreement about the need for such a step and not be swayed by thepatient's pleas for seeking alternative treatment options. Often these have already beentried to no success.

Some medications can be extremely helpful in treatment a person who suffers fromanorexia nervosa. As always, the medication should be carefully monitored, especiallysince the patient may be vomiting, which may impact on the medication's effectiveness.A trusting and honest relationship must be established between the physician and theindividual or mediation compliance will almost certainly become an issue.

Antidepressants (such as amitriptyline) are the usual drug treatment and may speed up the recovery process. Chlorpromazine may be beneficial for those individuals suffering from severe obsessions and increased anxiety and agitation.Eating disorders are horrible things which affect out society. I have learned what they are, how they are caused and some treatments for them. I know what signs to look for in a person with eating disorders, because I may encouter someone with anorexia or bulimia.

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