Eating disorder is not just about someone saying no to oily junk food. So before you make a comment that they are too uptight, question yourself whether this person is just being careful or suffering from an eating disorder.
The same goes for you. Question yourself, is it just that high-calorie burger that you are saying no to, or are you even counting the calories of that salad?
If the answer is the latter, then you should seek help before you suffer from a serious condition of anorexia nervosa. This is not just an aversion; it is something serious. Anorexia nervosa can also fall into the criteria of a serious disease since the person is addicted to looking a certain way, which is not at all healthy.
Like any other addiction, it affects the body and the mind. If you want to help someone recover from this condition, then click https://www.oceanrecovery.com/addiction-treatment-programs/eating-disorder-treatment/.
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Signs Of Eating Disorders
If you are still unaware of the whole idea of anorexia nervosa, then you might not be aware if someone has it. These are some of the tell-tale signs that you or a close one has an eating disorder.
1. Extreme Weight Loss Or Hair Loss
If you find yourself or someone close to losing body weight drastically, it could be a sign of an eating disorder.
No amount of exercise can make you lose pounds in weeks; it is only when someone is not getting the proper nutrients. Additionally, they will start looking sick, and their hair will also be thin.
2. Constant Fatigue And Tiredness
Constant fatigue and tiredness could be signs of deeper underlying problems like low pressure and anemia.
A moderately healthy person cannot get these conditions all of a sudden. There has been a drastic change in their eating habits.
3. Aversion To All Kinds Of Food
There is definitely a problem when it is not just burgers, fries, or really greasy pizza but healthy food items like salads and fruits.
If you see yourself or someone else constantly categorizing their food and taking tiny bites, it could be the beginning of an eating disorder. Therefore, you shouldn’t ignore it.
4. Abdominal Issues
When health starts deteriorating, it is a problem. Admiral issues like indigestion or constipation might not be clear-cut signs, but if they start happening almost every day, then it shouldn’t be ignored.
5. Obsessed With Calorie Count [Even For Healthy Food]
Are you counting the calories for every meal? Or, are you witnessing someone do the same?
There is no doubt; this is a clear-cut sign of someone trying to control their food consumption in high extremity. This is when you should start taking some precautionary measures to protect yourself.
Protecting Yourself From An Eating Disorder
If you find yourself or a loved one entering the realm of eating disorders, it is not too late. You can definitely recover and protect yourself from further damage. Here are the top ten ways to protect yourself from eating disorders.
1. Learn More About The Subject
You can never protect yourself from something if you do not know about it enough. So whether it is yourself you are trying to protect or someone else, there is nothing better than some research. If you know what you are fighting, the fight automatically becomes a lot easier.
2. Talk
Keeping everything to yourself is not the ideal choice. You need to talk more about the subject. Find someone who will listen to you without judgment and tell them about the mental problems you are facing. Now, if you are someone who is suspicious about a loved one, gradually introduce the subject and help them open up.
3. Start Therapy
Book a therapy session if you are unsure of talking to anyone else. A professional will definitely listen to your problems without judgment.
The same goes for someone trying to help; get them into therapy if they are not willing to talk to you about these issues.
4. Don’t Categorize Your Food
If you start to categorize your food as ‘Good’ to ‘Bad,’ stop that immediately. If you find yourself unable to do so, you definitely need therapy.
Because soon, the patient will find no food in the ‘good’ category.
5. Stop Counting The Calories
Counting calories is very dangerous for someone going through an eating disorder. Because one day, a calorie count is fine, and the very next day, it will be too much.If you find a closed one constantly doing this, try and talk to them about this.
6. Stop Judging Body Weights
Whether it is your or someone you know suffering from an eating disorder, stop judging people on their figure or body weight.
This attitude has to stop when you are trying to protect yourself or a friend from an eating disorder because you don’t know how it is affecting you.
7. Avoid Saying Certain Phrases
Avoid saying phrases like ‘I wish I had an eating disorder, I could be thin as well, or ‘Just start eating and exercise more.’
Anorexia Nervosa is serious, and you do not know which of these insensitive comments might be extremely triggering. Therefore, avoid saying anything if you do not know about the subject.
8. Stay Away From Social Media
Social media is a curse for someone suffering from social media because it shows unrealistic body goals when half of the time they are photoshopped. A complete detox from social media applications is necessary.
9. Practise Body Positivity
Watch videos of celebrities talking about their struggle and their survival stories with eating disorders.
Talk to people who do not worry about the shallow idea of unrealistic appearance, and learn more about loving your body.
Finally, Focus On Other Productivity
When you focus on productivity, like getting motivated at work or pursuing your dreams or hobbies, you will automatically be distracted from unimportant things like your appearance.
This will help you forget about unrealistic body goals, which are inhuman. Instead, you will learn to accept the beautiful reality.
