Work for Change - Counselling,
Sex Therapy and Eating Disorders

EATING DISORDERS

Millions attempt to control their eating patterns by dieting, fasting, over-exercising, using slimming pills, diuretics, laxatives and purging.

These strategies can undoubtedly produce short term weight control, a sense of relief and one of being in control, but they rarely provide a long-term answer. In fact such extreme behaviour can often make things even worse because underlying problems are not being addressed.

Anyone suffering from an eating disorder knows in their heart that there are no easy solutions to their problem. If diets and food fads work as effectively as all the claims made for them then why is the country in the grip of Eating Disorder problems of such epidemic proportions?

The truth is that research shows that the majority of people who lose significant weight through dieting pile the pounds back on within a year. Many people get hooked on yo-yo dieting and this can play havoc with the body's finely-tuned metabolism.

What is considered far more effective are gradual, significant lifestyle changes accompanied by sound nutritional guidance and a new attitude towards food that encompasses self-knowledge and awareness so that individuals can recognise their own emotional trigger points that connect to bingeing, purging or starving.

Ironically Eating Disorders are not concerned with food and 'looking good'. Food is usually a metaphor for deep rooted problems and its overuse or denial can be a way of coping with emotional distress when no other outlet for these feelings can be found.

Someone may control or restrict their food intake as it is the only area in their life which they feel they can control. People suffering from an Eating Disorder often do not know the root of their problem(s) as their obsession with food, originally adopted as a way of coping with emotional issues then becomes the overriding problem, leaving deep-rooted problem(s) still unresolved.

You may have an Eating Disorder if you:

Feel guilty about the food you've just eaten

Are always trying to lose weight but 'fail'

Constantly think about food

Purge or use laxatives to expel food

Fear weight gain

Measure your self worth by your weight

Eat to eliminate hurt, loneliness, pain, sorrow, heartache

Feel fat although your body mass index (BMI) is normal

Feel you're fat anyway so one more won't make any difference

Feel out of control around certain foods, or

Overeat secretly

The main three Eating Disorder categories are:

ANOREXIA NERVOSA

Anorexia can be fatal for about 10 per cent of those who have suffered for a long time, usually due to heart failure suicide or lack of resistance to illness. However the earlier treatment is sought, the better the outcome.It is considered the most difficult Eating Disorder to treat and unfortunately many anorexics refuse treatment.

Eating Disorders symptoms in Anorexia Nervosa:

Feeling cold - white hands and feet

Fine white hair on body and hands

Menstruation stops or becomes iregular

Danger of osteoporosis

BULIMIA NERVOSA

Bulimics periodically purge after meals or after bingeing in private, especially having consumed 'forbidden' fattening foods. Trying to get rid of these unwanted calories, some bulimic people also take laxatives, indulge in excessive exercise and/or starve themselves.

Vomiting can cause damage to the salivary glands, erosion of the teeth, severe bleeding of the oesophagus, disorders of the stomach, including rupture. Laxative abuse can badly damage the bowel lining affecting its normal functioning. Constipation, diarrhoea and bloating can also become long term problems.

Many bulimics suffer self doubt, feel inadequate even whilst holding down good careers. Bulimics often respond well to personal development. Through counselling they learn how to listen to their 'real' selves rather than the 'shoulds', 'musts' and 'oughts' of others.

Eating Disorders symptoms in Bulimia Nervosa:

Fluctuation of weight

Swollen glands

Broken blood vessels in the eyes

Constant sore throat

Oesophageal scarring

Dental decay from excessive vomitting

OBESITY

If a person is more than two stone overweight she/he increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cancer and early death.

A person may not be overweight by choice but maybe, for example, overweight because of emotional eating. In these cases, eating foods high in sugar, or simple carbs can be mood altering and can ease the pain and anguish of day to day living.

Counselling can ascertain if a person is ready to reduce weight to a more healthy level and then can assist with confidence building, problem solving and helping clients to develop interpersonal skills.

Other Eating Disorder conditions that can benefit from treatment include:

Night Eating Syndrome

Unclassified Eating Disorders

Poor body image

Eating disorders can induce:

Anxiety

Depression

Feelings of hopelessness

Isolation and introspection

Low self-esteem

Anger and extreme mood swings

Preoccuption with thougts of food, exercise, weight and binging