Although hundreds of thousands of individuals have suffered with eating disorders the list also includes celebrities as well as average people. For instance, Karen Carpenter passed away from Anorexia Nervosa and Princess Diana suffered with Bulimia Nervosa at one time. Today, these serious and potentially life-threatening conditions are becoming so widespread that even young children (predominantly females) in the 1st to 3rd grade have developed eating disorders.

Eating disorders commonly affect individuals of all ages, from the pre-teen years up to and including adulthood. There are three main types of eating disorders that most individuals are diagnosed with – Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder. Every one of them involves negative feelings regarding eating, food, and physical appearance. Most suffer with lowered self esteem and a distorted image of themselves despite looking different to those around them.

Anorexia Nervosa involves self-starvation in order to remain thin, Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by repetitive binging and purging cycles, and Binge Eating Disorders is characterized by eating excessively during times of stress or trauma. All of these involve an unhealthy way to keep fit and stay in shape without getting overweight in the process. Most importantly, when any of these eating disorders gets to the point where a person’s life is in jeopardy, getting the professional help of an eating wellness center is their only option.

What causes eating disorders?

Despite all the medical and scientific research studies on this subject that have been conducted over the past couple of decades, it is still unclear as to what the actual causes of eating disorders are. The magazine Kid’s Health stated in one of their past issues that “a combination of psychological, genetic, social, and family factors is thought to be involved.” However, it is well known today that US society stresses a person’s appearance in order to be socially acceptable.

Another factor involves children’s athletics. Dancing, gymnastics, swimming, and track all require wearing fewer clothes than what a person normally would. Therefore, there is a greater risk of more body exposure than what there would be normally. Some researchers have even surmised that the causes of eating disorders stem from advertising, movie media images, and music videos. These establish how individuals should look while presenting a false idea of attractiveness or sexiness.

When you consider what the last part of the above paragraph is saying to people, it is easy to see (when you are not affected by an eating disorder) how that appearance factor is literally impossible for some individuals to achieve. The following is a list of the possible, but not definitive, causes of eating disorders:

• Major life transitions – anorexics have difficulties handling change and prefer that aspects of their life be familiar, orderly, and predictable
• Family behavioral patterns or problems – NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association) states that a possible factor contributing to the development of eating disorders might be family relationships that are troubled and uncomfortable
• Social problems – prior to the onset of an eating disorder, the individual has a distorted self-image as well as lowered self esteem
• Failure in athletic competitions, poor performance in school or at work – individuals with eating disorders are typically perfectionists that have extremely high (sometimes unobtainable) expectations and goals
• Traumatic events – past research studies have revealed that anywhere from 1/3 to 2/3 of all the documented cases of eating disorders involve individuals that have suffered from some traumatic experience such as child, sexual, or spousal abuse
• Major illnesses or injuries – whenever a person experiences a major illness or injury, they will oftentimes feel as though they are extremely vulnerable or have lost control of their lives
• Other mental health issues (psychiatric illnesses) – researchers have discovered that eating disorders stem from psychological issues that existed before the onset of the eating disorder they are currently suffering with

Additional considerations where causes of eating disorders are concerned

Where genetics are concerned, there are individuals who have an inherited predisposition to developing some type of eating disorder. A recent study revealed that the co-occurrence of an eating disorder in twins is much greater if they are identical twins rather than fraternal ones. The reason is that identical twins are more similar genetically than fraternal twins.

Environmental conditions impact the sociological causes of eating disorders. Our society reinforces the idea that in order to be attractive, happy, and successful, you must be thin. No matter where you go today, whether you are home or out and about, you are constantly bombarded with messages claiming that being overweight is bad.

Finally, psychological issues tend to reinforce the belief that eating disorders are a type of survival mechanism. Where an alcoholic uses alcohol to cope with the pressures and stress of everyday life, the person with an eating disorder will use eating habits, purging, and restricting their food intake to deal with emotions or feelings that are overwhelming.

A list of lesser known eating disorders

The following are 15 of the lesser known eating disorders. Some involve food while the majority of them do not. Please note – if you are prone to having difficulties reading graphic descriptions, we encourage you to skip this section.

•   Acuphagia – eating sharp objects
•   Amylophagia – eating laundry detergents (washing powder)
•   Cautopyreiophagia – eating matches once they have been burned
•   Coprophagia – eating animal or human feces
•   Geomelophagia – eating uncooked potatoes
•   Geophagia – eating soil
•   Gooberphagia – eating an unhealthy amount of peanuts
•   Lithophagia – eating stones
•   Mucophagy – eating mucus
•   Ortharexia nervosa – the obsession to consume healthy foods
•   Pagophagia – eating ice instead of food
•   Pica – craving and eating non-food substances (e.g. rocks or sand)
•   Plumbophagia – eating lead
•   Trichophagia – eating hair
•   Xylophobia – eating wood

If you would like more information regarding the causes of eating disorders or are looking for an eating wellness program that will effectively target your personal needs, we encourage you to contact Harmony Grove today and speak with one of our specialists. We will be happy to answer all of your questions.

What You Need to Know

When an individual develops Anorexia, the most important and controlling force in their life is losing weight. In the typical case involving this eating disorder, the person usually has a distorted image of themselves. They see themselves as overweight, even when they aren’t. In other words, the person loses the ability of seeing themselves as they actually are. Make no mistake about it. Anorexia is an extremely dangerous disorder if you don’t get help for it. So it is important to recognize the signs of Anorexia in order to treat it and recover.

Why it’s a Problem

Because of the fact that the person sees themselves as overweight or they are disgusted with their appearance for one reason or another, the very act of eating itself becomes an extremely stressful experience for the individual. The afflicted individual sees the following about themselves:

• they are crippled by the fear of gaining weight and getting fat
• they have a completely distorted view of their body image
• they refuse to eat normally and keep a healthy body weight

All you can focus on is what you should and shouldn’t eat while always thinking about your appearance, your diet, and your eating habits. The person finds little time for enjoying the things in life that they used to as well as spending time with their family, friends, and loved ones. The person’s life becomes an intense, ongoing pursuit of staying thin while taking extreme measures to keep the weight off. Unfortunately, no matter how much weight they lose, or how thin they get, it is never enough to overcome their fears of getting fat.

If there are concerns about developing this eating disorder, or you are concerned about a loved one suffering with the disorder, the following questions indicate the signs of Anorexia:

• Are you continually dieting and fasting, exercising compulsively and excessively, and worried about how you look in the mirror and to others?
• Do you hide your eating from those around you or lie to others about how much you are eating?
• Does the thought of gaining weight terrify you?
• Even if family members and friends tell you that you are not overweight, do you still feel that you are or see yourself as being fat?
• Have your family members, loved ones, and close personal friends concerned about how you look, your eating behavior, and that you are losing too much weight?
• Is your self esteem and self-worth based on your body size and weight?
• When you diet, fast, exercise, and purge what you ate, do you feel like you are in control of yourself or empowered by your behavior?

If you find you have answered “yes” to any of these questions or a combination of them, you should consider getting professional help from an eating wellness center. Just remember that this could save your life in the long run.

The three elements involved in treatment

The better Anorexia treatment and recovery facilities are skilled at developing the right plan for treating the signs of Anorexia as well as the disorder itself. In most instances, the development of a plan that addresses the individual’s unique clinical and personal needs is based on three elements. This includes the initial assessment, medical care and treatment, and psychological counseling and therapy sessions.

Initial assessment – the first step for developing an effective eating wellness program is assessing and evaluating the individual in order to determine how severe the disorder is and then customize the right treatment format for them. The possible causes of the disorder will be researched in order to formulate the most effective course of treatment for the person as well. The physical and psychological history of the individual will be researched along with their current emotional state and their current physiological condition.

Medical care and treatment – the person’s physical health is negatively impacted by the different warning signs of Anorexia that comprise the disorder. This may include the process of re-hydration using tube feedings and other treatment formats that may become necessary during the person’s medical care. In most cases, the individual’s physical health must be restored to a minimal level in order to proceed with psychological counseling and therapy. Anti-depressants may also be administered during this phase of treatment.

Psychological counseling and therapy sessions – intense psychological treatment may be required for the person to completely recover from the signs of Anorexia and the disorder itself. This typically includes the use of group and individual counseling or therapy sessions. This can be done on either an in-patient basis or an out-patient one depending on the individual’s personal needs and requirements. Additionally, the individual may also be counseled by a licensed dietician or nutritionist in order to learn healthier eating habits.

Getting the professional help you need

With the help of licensed professionals such as doctors, psychologists, and therapists these three elements will provide the individual with the best chance of overcoming the disorder and experiencing a total recovery. Although girls and women are nine times more likely of developing this eating disorder and exhibiting the signs of Anorexia, men can develop the condition as well, so it is not gender exclusive by any means.

Harmony Grove can customize a day treatment, intensive out-patient, or residential program if you are exhibiting the signs of Anorexia and need professional help. For more information about our facility and programs please contact us today and speak with one of our staff members.

The most prominent group of individuals who develop Anorexia Athletica is 12 to 19-year old females. It is not uncommon for them to experience anxiety and feelings of guilt whenever they miss one of their workouts. However, even if they get injured or sick, they will continue to exercise in order to fulfill their compulsive need to do so. Some of the Anorexia Athletica symptoms are a characteristic of the overall warning signs indicating the presence of Anorexia Nervosa.

Treatment will normally be required if an individual’s condition has become severe enough to be life-threatening. Fatalities with Anorexia Athletica and other eating disorders occur at a rate of 10% meaning that there is a possibility that 1 out of every 10 individuals that develop the disorder will not survive without the proper professional help. By the time the disorder has progressed to the point of being life-threatening, it may be too late to save the individual. So getting help is critical the moment the disorder becomes apparent.

Common symptoms and warning signs

The personal who is exhibiting Anorexia Athletica symptoms does not enjoy working out – they feel obligated to exercise excessively in order to stay healthy (or so they think they are doing that). Individuals who develop the disorder may do the following:

• are rarely satisfied with any of their athletic or physical accomplishments while not savoring any victories and then moving on to their next set of challenges and goals
• be fanatically obsessive about dieting and losing weight
• define their self esteem, self-image, and self-worth by how much they can push themselves to perform
• do everything in their power to achieve weight loss goals and master increasingly difficult challenges
• exercise repeatedly beyond what is required to be fit and healthy
• fail to see that physical activity and exercise should be enjoyable
• take away time from their jobs or schools as well as their relationships to spend more time exercising
• will justify their obsessive behavior by classifying and defining themselves as an elite or special athlete

The person with Anorexia Athletica symptoms will suffer from their nutrients being depleted as a result of not consuming enough food and then over-exercising. The key difference between the individual who exercises normally and the one who has developed Anorexia Athletica is the importance of their exercise routines and where it ranks as a priority in life. For the person with the disorder, exercising takes over and controls their lives more than anything that can be classified as normal behavior.

Keep Good Health

In order to remain in good health, the individual exhibiting Anorexia Athletica symptoms differs considerably from the person who is considered to be an avid yet healthy exerciser. The compulsive exerciser will continue with their workout regimens even when they are injured or sick. Their need to over-exercise is driven by their desire to avoid anxiety and being guilty. Depending on the severity of the individual’s Anorexia Athletica symptoms, the treatment and recovery process can take months and even years.

Using CBT to treat the psychological aspects

One of the most effective psychotherapeutic approaches to behavioral or mental disorders is CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It is commonly referred to as a “talking therapy” in that it involves solving psychological problems associated with dysfunctional behaviors, cognitions, and emotions. Systematic procedures that are goal-oriented are the basis of CBT. It refers to a specific therapy that is based primarily on a combination of behavioral and cognitive medical research.

Group counseling sessions may last a couple of hours. Individual counseling sessions usually last an hour. During CBT sessions, the anorexic will learn:

• about the illness itself and the different Anorexia Athletica symptoms as well as predicting when these symptoms and warning signs are most likely to recur
• different ways of handling their everyday problems and stress
• eating regularly and spacing out their daily meals and snacks so they occur three to four hours apart at most
• how to change their thinking about their Anorexia Athletica symptoms which will reduce the power that they have over the individual
• how to eliminate thought patterns that are self-defeating in nature into ones that are more beneficial and helpful (improves the person’s mood and their sense of mastering their lives while avoiding any future anorexic episodes)
• how to maintain a diary that lists binge eating, eating episodes, purging, and specific events that triggered these episodes

The benefit of CBT is that you can employ the skills you develop throughout your life. The participation in follow-up or “tune-up” sessions helps the individual to remain on track with these newly acquired skills.

Recommended treatment

When an individual suffers with Anorexia Athletica symptoms, the overwhelming compulsion to over-exercise combined with the preoccupation to eat healthy and maintain a diet that is extremely restrictive is contradictory to good health and well-being. The following outlines one of the top recommended treatment regimens for Anorexia Athletica once the initial evaluation and treatment phases have been completed:

1. Cognitive therapy – (see section above)
2. Nutritional support – as the person exercises to extremes, they follow an extremely restrictive diet to keep the weight off or lose what they feel are extra pounds. The lack of proper nutrients can lead to a number of depleted nutrient problems such as osteoporosis. A licensed dietician or nutritionist will teach the individual how to develop healthier meal planning so they consume the proper amounts of daily nutrients.
3. Aftercare programs and support groups – overcoming Anorexia Athletica symptoms can last a lifetime even though you have returned to a normal lifestyle. Aftercare programs and support groups will help you stay on track so that you avoid relapsing.

The Harmony Grove eating wellness center can help you or a loved one overcome eating disorders such as Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating Disorder. We can provide you with further information regarding Anorexia Athletica symptoms and develop a treatment program that will help you to overcome them and return to a healthy, normal life. Please call us today.

The Mayo Clinic has defined eating disorders as a group of serious medical conditions in which the individual is completely pre-occupied with eating and losing weight. Typically, they will focus on little else as this becomes the driving force in their lives. Serious physical health problems can result from eating disorders. However, there is usually a psychological issue going on at the same time as the disorder, including anxiety or depression. These need to be addressed in conjunction with the disorder.

Although most of the individuals who succumb to eating disorders are females, males can develop them as well and even though women are nine times more likely to develop them than what men are. Recommended treatment regimens for these different types of eating disorders include:

•  family counseling
•   hospitalization
•   medications
•   nutrition education and therapy
•   psychotherapy

Binge Eating Disorder is an exception to the rule regarding more females being affected in that it appears to affect nearly as many males as it does females.

Identifying the different types of eating disorders

Although the field of eating disorder treatment focuses on a number of different types such including Anorexia Athletica, Orthorexia, and Pica Eating disorder, the most commonly treated types of eating disorders today include the following:

Anorexia Nervosa – the individual becomes extremely thin and unhealthy looking even though they refuse to eat sufficiently because they fear that they will gain too much weight or already see themselves as overweight even when this isn’t the case.

Bulimia Nervosa – involves periods of bingeing followed by periods of purging in a repetitive cycle. Purging involves the use of diuretics, enemas, and laxatives as well as self-induced vomiting.

Binge Eating Disorder – simply put, this is defined as eating that is out of control.

Individuals that develop one of these different types of eating disorders are usually females in their pre-teen or teenage years. There have been cases reported involving females who were as young as 10 or 11 years old. As was mentioned above, when an individual develops an eating disorder, this oftentimes occurs in conjunction with a mental disorder such as anxiety and panic disorders, depression, or alcohol and drug abuse.

What you want to be aware of is the fact that any eating disorder that goes untreated can and will oftentimes turn life-threatening or be fatal. The fatality rate among individuals with any of these different types of eating disorders is about 10% meaning that 1 out of every 10 individuals may eventually die if they do not receive professional help. The following section will address the signs and symptoms of the three eating disorders mentioned above.

“Red Flags” to be aware of

No medical or psychological condition is immune to exhibiting certain “red flags” (symptoms and warning signs). The following is a breakdown of what to look for if you are concerned about having one of the different types of eating disorders or if you are worried about a loved one developing an eating disorder.

Anorexia Nervosa symptoms and warning signs:

•  a layer of soft body hair (Lanugo)
•   abdominal pain
•   appearing too thin
•   being cold frequently
•   being pre-occupied with dieting, exercise, and food
•   constipation
•   dehydration
•   denying hunger and refusing to eat
•   distorted, negative self esteem and self-image
•   dizziness and fainting
•   dry skin
•   exercising excessively
•   intense fear of getting fat or being overweight
•   irregular heartbeat
•   irregularities with menstrual cycles or complete loss of menstruation cycle (amenorrhea)
•   lack of emotions or moods
•   lower blood pressure
•   withdrawing from those around you

Bulimia Nervosa symptoms and warning signs:

•  a focus on body shape and weight that is totally unhealthy
•   abnormal bowel functions
•   abusing diuretics, enemas, and laxatives
•   calluses, scars, and sores on the hands or knuckles
•   continual dieting and/or fasting
•   damaged gums and teeth
•   dehydration
•   distorted, negative self esteem and self-image
•   eating high-fat content foods and sweets until you are in pain or extremely uncomfortable
•   exercising excessively
•   feeling that your eating behavior is out of control
•   immediately heading to the restroom when during meals or once you have finished eating
•   irregular heartbeat
•   irregularities with menstrual cycles or complete loss of menstruation cycle (amenorrhea)
•   self-induced vomiting
•   sores in the mouth and throat or on the tongue
•   substance abuse (alcohol or drugs)
•   swollen salivary glands

Binge Eating Disorder symptoms and warning signs:

•  consuming more food or snacks during a binge eating episode than what you normally would eat
•   eating alone frequently
•   eating faster during these binge eating episodes
•   eating until you are in pain or uncomfortable
•   feeling that you cannot control your eating behavior
•   feelings of depression, disgust, or upset over how much you have eaten

When it’s time to get professional help

Due to the fact that the different types of eating disorders take control of the individual, it can be extremely difficult to manage them or overcome them on your own. It is always recommended that you get the professional help offered by an eating wellness center anyway instead of trying to do it yourself. Remember that eating disorders eventually take over a person’s life.

This may cause you to think about nothing but food continually and exercising to the point of dropping from exhaustion. In addition to agonizing for hours on end about what you are going to eat, your emotions will typically go through the work. You will experience feelings of being anxious, ashamed, drained physically, guilt, hopelessness, irritability, and sadness. Physical problems that typically arise include bowel problems, dizziness, fatigue, and an irregular heartbeat.

If it has gotten to the point with you or a loved one where any of the above applies, it’s time to get professional help. Harmony Grove is the premier eating wellness center of Florida. Our programs are extremely effective for the treatment of and recovery from the different types of eating disorders mentioned above. Please contact us today.

Oftentimes referred to as compulsive or obligatory exercise disorder and hypergymnasia, Anorexia Athletica is an eating disorder characterized by the signs of Anorexia Nervosa and the compulsion to exercise excessively. In cases involving major sports athletes, the person empowers themselves by over-exercising in order to try controlling their bodies. However, other than controlling how much they eat and how often they exercise, the reality is that they have no control over other aspects of their lives.

Symptoms and warning signs

The individual suffering with Anorexia Athletica will typically exhibit a number of symptoms and warning signs, the seriousness of which are determined by the individuals themselves. The longer the individual exercises, the more apparent these symptoms and warning signs become. Here are the primary ones to be concerned with:

•  the individual’s self esteem and self-worth are based on their ability to participate in physical activities as well as exercising
•   the sports that the individual once participated in become obsolete
•   they become obsessed with their caloric intake, getting fat, and their weight
•   they deny that their excessive exercising is a problem and claim they are healthy
•   they exercise excessively

Once the disorder persists long enough and becomes severe enough, the individual shows signs of being malnourished. Additionally, allowing the disorder to persist can result in damage to the brain, heart, kidneys, and liver.

What causes the disorder?

Despite all of the medical and scientific research studies that have been conducted about Anorexia Athletica, the causes of the disorder are still unclear and purely speculative. However, there are a number of different factors that may be involved in the development of the disorder. Research has revealed that there is an area on one of the chromosomes that has been linked to this eating and exercising disorder. The contention is that a person has a greater likelihood of developing the disorder if someone in their family has also had it.

In addition to genetics, the type of environment the individual lives in contributes to the development of Anorexia Athletica as well. The individual’s coaches and parents may suggest losing weight in order for them to compete and perform better. Additionally, the media oftentimes plays a significant role in affecting the eating and physical behavior of the individual by pressuring these athletes into having the perfect physique and remaining thin. All of these elements and variables can easily trigger the development of the disorder

Treatment options

Today, there are several different Anorexia Athletica treatment options that can be conducted singularly or in conjunction with one another depending on the severity of the individual’s disorder. This includes:

Behavioral therapy – individuals who suffer with Anorexia Athletica oftentimes suffer with anxiety or panic disorders and depression so professional therapy sessions are conducted in order to address the person’s self esteem and self-image. In most cases CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the recommended course of action as it is the best psychotherapeutic approach for treating the mental aspects of Anorexia Athletica.

Hospitalization – sometimes, the disorder becomes so severe that the person must be hospitalized in order to help them regain the weight they have lost and prevent the disorder from becoming life-threatening. In most instances, this is the last straw (final option) for the person suffering with Anorexia Athletica even though they believe that their behavior and physical condition is healthy and normal. Personal achievements do not satisfy the individual with this eating disorder because of their low self esteem and self-image.

Medical attention – as there is potential physical damage that can result from Anorexia Athletica, a licensed medical professional (e.g. physician, psychologist, or therapist) should be involved. They will assess the damage that has been done externally and internally to the individual’s body. Compulsive exercising can result in bone, cartilage, joint, ligament, and tendon damage. The combination of over-exercising and poor eating habits can result in a person’s muscle mass being destroyed and the need for physical therapy.

Nutritional counseling – when a person develops Anorexia Nervosa, their eating habits are drastically affected and they change radically. Due to the excessive exercising that characterizes the disorder, what few nutrients they have consumed are quickly depleted. They will also skip meals because they feel that they will consume those calories that will result in the weight gain that they fear is going to happen. With the help of a dietician or a nutritionist, the individual can learn how to develop healthier eating habits.

The bottom line with Anorexia Athletica is that the individual who is suffering with the condition continue to exercise beyond what is required for attaining good health. They feel the need to over-exercise in order to avoid anxiety and overcome the guilt of gaining additional weight. Therefore, these treatment options are typically the best course of action in order to address the disorder properly. For many individuals who are suffering with Anorexia Athletica, the treatment and recovery process can take months or even years.

Getting professional help for Anorexia Athletica

Without the proper care, monitoring, and supervision of a licensed medical professional, the individual may not have a chance of surviving the condition. Harmony Grove would like to help you overcome your Anorexia Athletica problems by customizing an eating wellness program that will effectively address your personal needs. Our Day Treatment, Intensive Out-Patient, and Residential programs can be customized in order to provide you with a more individualized program for helping you overcome your eating disorder.

Additionally, we also provide you with therapeutic activities and programs to participate in to further your recovery from your Anorexia Athletica issues. For a listing of these different activities and programs that we offer our clients, please visit the Harmony Grove eating wellness center website. We will be happy to provide you with additional information regarding one of the most effective Anorexia Athletica treatment programs available. Please contact us today so that one of our eating disorder specialists can answer your questions so you can start getting the professional help you need.

One of the three primary eating disorders is Anorexia Nervosa or Anorexia for short. It is characterized by an intense fear of getting fat and the obsession to lose weight. In the typical case of Anorexia, the individual follows an ongoing pattern of being preoccupied with food and losing what they perceive to be excessive weight. Self-starvation is one of the Anorexia symptoms to be aware of as it can become potentially life-threatening. In fact, approximately 10% of all known cases of Anorexia will turn fatal at some point.

Identifying the symptoms or warning signs

If you notice that the following Anorexia symptoms or warning signs apply to you or a loved one, then it is time to seek out the professional help of an eating wellness center:

You are losing weight too quickly – in many cases, the individual suffering with the disorder will lose up to 25% of their total body weight. Puberty and the college years are usually when an individual has the tendency to develop Anorexia.

Monitor what you are eating – do you cut your food into smaller bites and move more of it around on your plate than what you actually eat? Have you or the person you are concerned with stopped going out with family or friends to eat?

Excessive fasting – in many instances, the individual suffering with the disorder will practice self-starvation to lose the weight quicker. True fasting is more of a cleansing process than anything else. However, excessive fasting indicates that the person has a serious eating disorder.

Excessive exercising – in order to keep the weight off or lose weight, the individual will exercise considerably more than what is healthy and normal. The condition is oftentimes referred to as Anorexia Athletica.

Constant dissatisfaction with appearance – the anorexic individual is never happy with how they look and never feel like they have gotten thin enough. They will change their goals of losing weight once a goal is achieved and weigh themselves constantly.

Confused thinking and an inability to concentrate – you need to eat properly in order to think properly. Thinking becomes clouded and slower when an individual does not eat nutritionally and properly.

Dizziness and fainting – a lack of eating not only depletes energy levels, it results in a low glucose level. This oftentimes leads to the individual suffering with bouts of dizziness and fainting when they become too fatigued or weak.

Changes in the growth of one’s hair – the person who is malnourished will lose their hair. Additionally, a thin layer of hair will grow in addition to the regular body hair in order for the individual to keep warm.

Treatment options for Anorexia

There are a number of treatment options available that will help the individual overcome their Anorexia symptoms. The following will give you an idea of the different ones that may be employed when an individual enters an eating disorder treatment and recovery center:

Hospitalization – once an individual is suffering from malnutrition and still refuses to eat normally, they will oftentimes be hospitalized in order to help them put the necessary weight back on and enable them to return to a normal, healthy lifestyle. There are a number of specialized clinics and eating wellness centers that deal exclusively with these types of disorders.

Medical and psychological care – when Anorexia symptoms become extremely severe, the best treatment is a combination of medical and psychological formats. The person’s electrolytes, hydration levels, and their vital signs are closely monitored in order to prevent complications from developing. If there is a co-existent psychological condition such as anxiety or depression, the individual will usually be administered anti-depressants to help them deal with this.

Nutritional counseling and therapy – since this is an eating disorder, the individual suffering with Anorexia symptoms will be able to change the way they look at food and restructure their thought processing by undergoing nutritional counseling and therapy. You will learn how to develop healthier eating behavior with the assistance of a licensed dietician who will teach you how to maintain a healthier body weight. They will also help you develop healthier meal plans that target proper weight management.

Complications and difficulties that occur during treatment

Anorexia Nervosa is a serious eating disorder that can oftentimes turn fatal if the individual does not receive the professional help they need. Anemia, gastrointestinal problems, heart problems, and lung issues are some of the more common complications that arise from chronic Anorexia symptoms. In addition to these problems, anxiety, bone loss, depression, heart failure, menstruation stoppage, malnutrition, and OCD’s are also complications that oftentimes arise.

Anorexic individuals who are in denial about their issues will be difficult to approach when it comes to discussing treatment options as they will still insist that nothing is wrong with them. A study conducted by the Mayo Clinic revealed that if the treatment of these Anorexia symptoms is stopped abruptly before it has been completed, there is a greater risk of relapse occurring. During stressful times, such as what the individual will experience during treatment, it is important that family members and loved ones support the person.

Additional considerations

Most anorexics will deny having an eating and weight problem or try to hide the fact that they are suffering with Anorexia. Just like with alcohol and drug addiction, the most important step is admitting that you have a problem and then getting professional help for it. As an individual concerned about a family member or loved one, your job is to support that person. In other words, care but don’t try to cure.

The person who is exhibiting Anorexia symptoms is not going to have an easy time of overcoming this eating disorder, especially if it has gotten so severe that it could be potentially fatal. Whether it is you or an individual you are concerned with, when the warning signs of Anorexia are present, it is imperative that professional help is received as soon as possible. Please call the Harmony Grove eating wellness center today to speak with one of our caring specialists.

What is Anorexia Athletica?

In the simplest of terms, Anorexia Athletica is part of the eating disorder spectrum that is characterized a compulsion to exercise excessively. With Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa, the suffering individual has the tendency to over-exercise as part of the purging and weight loss process. Even when the individual has become seriously ill, they will continue to work out. In most instances, this compulsion to over-exercise is combined with a preoccupation for healthy eating and a diet that is highly restrictive.

Symptoms or warning signs

When Anorexia Athletica becomes a component of the eating disorder that the individual is suffering with, there symptoms and warning signs to be aware of in order to determine if the individual has an eating disorder or not:

• continuing to push oneself harder and taking on the next challenge, no matter how adverse the effect of this is on you
• decreasing the time spent on other activities just so you can exercise
• exercising excessively
• focusing obsessively on body weight and dieting
• forgetting to focus on the proper challenge and not realizing that physical activity is supposed to be fun and not a compulsion
• insisting that you are healthy even when you know you aren’t
• justifying your behavior by claiming that you are an athlete or referring to yourself as being athletic
• no satisfaction with any exercise that is performed

If any of these or a combination of them applies to you or a loved one, you should consider consulting with a physician and/or psychologist at the very least. Additionally, you may already be a candidate for an Anorexia Athletica treatment program and should get professional help as soon as you can.

Methods for treating the disorder

Some of the more effective Anorexia Athletica treatment methods involve cognitive therapy, group and individual counseling, nutritional rehabilitation, and participation in an aftercare network and support groups. Here is a brief description of what is involved with each:

Cognitive Therapy – involves the evaluation and identification of the thought process that leads to this compulsion to exercise excessively

Group and individual counseling – part of the recovery aspect of Anorexia Athletica treatment involves interacting with peers in the group setting and one-on-one counseling with a therapist who is assigned to your case

Nutritional rehabilitation – being counseled by a licensed dietician or nutritionist in order to learn proper eating behavior

Aftercare network and support groups – the recovery process may take years, maybe an entire lifetime and these groups provide support so the recovering individual avoids the possibility of relapsing.

For more information about Anorexia Athletica treatment programs and our facility, contact Harmony Grove eating wellness center today at the toll-free phone number listed above.

The goal of any Anorexia Nervosa treatment program is to enable the suffering individual to overcome the disorder and return home where they can live a life free from the fear of relapsing. You need to avoid resisting treatment any longer and get professional help as soon as possible. Instead of fearing that you will gain weight, consider that weight gain as a measure to save your life. The right Anorexia Nervosa treatment program can teach you how to eat properly and prolong your life without the fear of gaining weight.

With the help of medical professionals (doctors, nurses, or registered dieticians) and mental health professionals (licensed counselor, psychologist or therapist), you can eventually take back the control of your life that the disorder robbed you of. Overcoming the disorder involves a three-fold avenue of treatment woven into one program as follows:

Medical treatment – once malnutrition or starvation becomes apparent, undergoing medical treatment is imperative. The doctor will treat you for any physical condition that has developed and as you get better, they will continue to monitor your health and weight.

Nutritional therapy – you will be able to take control of your eating habits and learn healthier eating patterns so you gain a better understanding of proper nutrition.

Psychological counseling – this may involve a combination of group and individual counseling sessions that enable you to:

• build trust in those individuals who are trying to help you
• learning how to care for your emotional health
• take control of your life and eating habits

Another aspect of eating disorders that gets considerable attention as a distinct, separate area is teenagers with Anorexia. In this particular type of case, the suffering family members of the suffering teenager play a significant role in their eating disorder treatment and recovery process. Family therapy is typically conducted in order to help the family support the teen emotionally and physically. It also teaches the family members how to create and promote healthier eating habits for the teenager.

If you or a loved one is suffering with any type of eating disorder or you are currently searching for an effective Anorexia Nervosa treatment. Contact the Harmony Grove eating wellness center today at the toll-free phone number listed above for more information on our facility and programs.

One of the three primary eating disorders that concerns health officials and medical professionals throughout the US today is Anorexia Nervosa or simply Anorexia. It is characterized by an individual’s obsessive fear that they are going to become obese and their refusal to maintain a healthier body weight. Although the terminology “Anorexia” refers to a person’s loss of appetite, it is classified as an eating disorder.

In most cases, the individual who is suffering with the disorder has a distorted self-image just like the bulimic does. The individual will feel continual hunger but they will deny themselves the intake of any food other than the smallest of quantities. On the average, the individual suffering with Anorexia will consume between 600 to 800 calories per day at most with occasional periods of total starvation occurring.

Without eventually getting the professional help of an Anorexia treatment center, a person’s condition could eventually turn life-threatening and be fatal. In fact, of all the eating disorders currently known to medicine and science today, Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of all. It is also viewed as being a serious mental illness and is also characterized by a high rate of comorbidity.

What are the causes of the disorder?

Unfortunately, the cause of Anorexia is yet to be determined, despite the years of research and studies that have been conducted since the disorder was first diagnosed in the mid 1800’s by the prominent 19th century physician Sir William Gull. However, the current speculation points to the disorder developing due to certain emotional, physical, and social triggers that the individual falls prey to.

There are three primary triggers with a possible fourth that is restricted to a particular age group as follows:

A combination of different personality issues – involves a lack of self-confidence combined with perfectionism or certain cultural and social pressures

Extreme dieting – this changes the way in which a person’s brain works as well as the metabolism of the individual, eventually stressing the body and increasing the risk of an eating disorder developing

Genetics – plays a huge role in the development of Anorexia and Bulimia as individuals who suffer with an eating disorder oftentimes have a family history of it as well as obesity and mood disorders such as anxiety or depression

The teen years – the teen years have become a focal point where Anorexia is concerned as it is seen as a way for the individual to cope with certain traumatic events in their lives such as the death of a loved one, divorce, moving, etc.

For more information regarding our Anorexia treatment center and the programs we offer, please contact the Harmony Grove eating wellness center today at the toll-free phone number listed above.

When you stop and think about it, eating disorders have become a significant element in our society today thanks to our obsession with looking good and staying thin. It’s no wonder that so many individuals in the US today are suffering with Anorexia as well as other eating disorders. It also makes sense that there are so many Anorexia treatment and recovery centers in the country today.

Consequently, it’s no secret that early intervention can be a lifesaver, but you need to be able to recognize the symptoms or warning signs indicating the presence of an eating disorder and the need for Anorexia treatment. These include:

All the anorexic can talk and think about is getting fat – if you or a loved one is obsessed with keeping the weight off to the point of starving yourself, which should be a very obvious warning sign that you need help.

Be aware of the more serious symptoms – brittle nails, dry skin, hair loss, the arms and legs have a purplish coloring, and females stop having their menstrual periods.

Look for the signs of improper nutrition – are you fatigued, moody, unable to concentrate, and weak? When you are not getting the proper energy from nutrients, your body tends to react in this manner.

Rapid weight loss – even if the anorexic is well within their normal weight range based on their body mass, bone structure, and height they are still obsessed with being overweight. Pay attention to eating habits and watch your body weight.

Watch for the warning signs of purging – although purging is not a typical characteristic with Anorexia like it is with Bulimia, you should still look for the warning signs. You should look for any indicators of self-induced vomiting as well as the use of diuretics, enemas, and laxatives. Excessive exercising is also a clue.

Additional tips and warnings to consider

You want to remember first and foremost that Anorexia typically develops during the adolescent years and is more common in females than males. Not getting Anorexia treatment can result in serious health conditions and even turn fatal. In many instances, the suffering individual does not recognize that they have a problem. If they do, they will deny it until some type of intervention takes place before any more damage is done. The important thing is that you get professional help as soon as possible.

The Harmony Grove eating wellness center offers one of the most effective Anorexia treatment programs in the US today. Our 8-bed facility limits the client population in order to provide more personalized 1-on-1 attention to the anorexic individual. For more information regarding our facility and our programs, please call us today at the toll-free phone number listed above.