Anorexia is an illness. It is a form of eating disorder. People who suffer from anorexia lose significant weight by starving themselves, so much so that their weight falls way below ideal. Despite being underweight, sufferers still have the misconception of being fat, and some may even avoid mirrors and continue extreme dieting. This can be very dangerous as prolonged starvation can lead to death. Although there is no medication to treat this illness, the good news is, anorexic victims can be cured. It will take them a lot perseverance and determination, but it can be done. There is no one definitive method, but here are a few good ways to start.
One, overcoming the psychological barrier. Victims of anorexia first have to battle their minds. Victims who suffer from low-self esteem need to accept themselves as what they are. They need to learn to love their body and respect it. Understand the concept that health is wealth. Feeling guilt when they are eating is common amongst victims, the important thing to do here is to stop counting calories and starting to eat right. It is vital that victims of anorexia start regain their body weight as early as possible. Reading success stories of people who have recovered from eating disorders is of tremendous help too. This gives the anorexic person greater confidence that they can recover, and acts as a motivation along the way.
Two, accept support from family members and friends. Most anorexic victims are unwilling to admit that they are ill. They try to hide their eating and weight problems from the people around them. When victims have made up mind to recover, it will be wise for them to open up to their family and close friends. Confess their illness and the reasons behind it. Friends and family members can often be a good listening ear and provide more sensible and rational advise. Talking or listening to the patient when they need to share their feelings will take away some of the pressure from them. Provide encouragement and help them cope with life positively. Loved ones showing care and concern can be very touching for the patients too. Let them know that they are not alone in this fight. Also, family members can help the patient develop healthy eating habits and gentle reminders to stick to their meal times and food portion.
Last but not least, seek professional help. Anorexia is an illness, so there is nothing wrong with seeing a doctor to recover from it. Anorexic victims should not be reluctant to see a doctor about their problem. They should learn to trust the professionals and their advice. There are various specialists who can offer help in the different areas. A family doctor can first diagnose the severity of the victim’s condition and give good referrals to the right specialists. A nutritionist can help plan a diet tailored to the patient’s body weight and current body condition. They can also teach the patient proper eating habits and how to stick to a healthy diet. With the help of a nutritionist, the patient will also be sure to get the all right vitamins and minerals that the body was deprived of. Another specialist to visit will be a therapist. There are many types of therapy programs available, younger victims of anorexia may prefer to have counseling session with their parents around, whilst other victims may prefer a one-to-one session. Group therapy is also available, for victims who would like to meet other sufferers of anorexia like themselves. Seeing a therapist can give a boost to the whole recovery process. By being completely honest to the therapist, patients can discover the root to their problem. And having understood the reason to the illness, both therapist and patient can then deal with it more effectively.