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Eating Disorder Treatment Clinics believe that Anorexia may be Genetic

Brant — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 23:05:17 +0000

A new study done by experts at eating disorder treatment clinics shows that anorexia might be genetic. The study, which is being labeled as the Genetics of Anorexia Nervosa collaboration, is taking place in multiple cities across north america and two in Europe. The National Institutes of Health is doing the funding.

Research shows that if a family member has had anorexia, that the individual is almost 12 times more likely to develop the disease. Just because it is your genetics however, your environment also plays a big role, says top eating disorder specialists. Anorexia nervosa can occur when a certain number of factors are set in place. These factors include your genetics, and the type of culture that you live in.

Most individuals who have anorexia nervosa develop a strong disliking towards food which then leads to a very distorted body image. Research shows that females between the ages of 11 – 15 are most likely to develop the the illness. Scientists believe this to be the case because this is the period in their life when they gain a majority of their adult weight, nearly 40 pounds.

Many young women tend to be provoked into episodes of excessive exercise and dieting just by someone they know making a comment about ther weight gain. This is why it’s such a critical time in their life to be happy with who they are.

Allegra Versace Battling Anorexia

Brant — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:19:08 +0000

Fashion designer and icon Donatella Versace recently confirmed that her 20 year old daughter Allegra has been battling anorexia and is currently undergoing treatment. Allegra is under 24-hour supervision at a medical and psychiatric treatment facility. Weighing an alarming 70 pounds, Allegra’s condition has deteriorated so rapidly that she is being fed through a naso-gastric tube. An employee of the Versace family made the following statement regarding Allegra’s condition: “It was the most sad and traumatic experience of my life. Her arms are like candlesticks. Her skin is this unnatural colour I’ve never seen before.”

Angelina Jolie Looking Quite Thin

Brant — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:17:31 +0000

Angelina Jolie has lost a significant amount of weight over the past year, alarming her friends and fans. The naturally thin actress admits that she has been looking very unhealthy recently and she attributes her weight loss to the fact that she has been dealing with a number of emotional events these past few months. In January, Jolie’s mother died after a battle with ovarian cancer. Just a few months ago, Jolie adopted another child Pax, who joins brother Maddox and sisters Zahara and Shiloh. In response to the various rumors claiming that she has been suffering from everything from anorexia and bulimia, to flesh eating disease and cancer, Jolie states:

“Someone saying to me that I’m thin is not a compliment. I’ve always been lean and this year I lost my mom and I’ve gone through a lot. I have four kids and I finished breastfeeding- it’s been hard to get my nutrition back on track.

Instead of people saying I look like a person dealing with something emotionally, they assume it’s because I want to fit into skinny jeans.”

Im a Child Anorexic Part Four

Brant — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:16:54 +0000

Part four of the BBC3 documentary

Im a Child Anorexic Part Three

Brant — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:15:42 +0000

Part three of the BBC3 documentary

Im a Child Anorexic Part Two

Brant — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:14:20 +0000

Part two of the BBC3 documentary

Part one of the BBC3 documentary

Brant — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:10:06 +0000

Part one of the BBC3 documentary

Nicole Richie Back in Rehab

Brant — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:06:19 +0000

Many sources are reporting that former Simple Life star Nicole Richie is making another attempt to get treatment for her anorexia and addiction to pain killers. Richie, who is said to be down to around 83 pounds, was seen checking in to the Beau Monde Treatment Center in Corona Del Mar, California on May 11th. After completed a few days of detox for her chemical dependency problems, Richie is now working through an outpatient treatment program through the facility.

For months Richie has adamently denied that she has an eating disorder, rather blaming the reason she is so thin on genetics or an underlying health problem that still has not been diagnosed. Her rep has backed her up by stating “It is important to Nicole that she achieves this goal in a healthy way as this is not a treatment for an eating disorder.”

Top 10 Recovery Tips After Eating Disorder Residential Treatment

Brant — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:04:20 +0000

1. Willingness. This is the first step towards true recovery! Admitting that you need help is a part of your willingness to get better.
2. Accountability and structure. Get an accountability coach, partner or group and structure a healthy meal plan. Call each other every day to keep on track. Having somebody that you have to tell everything will help you be more honest with yourself. This is a major key to successful recovery.
3. Support. Isolating yourself is a very dangerous thing to do during recovery. Support groups will help you get the support you need without needing to feel ashamed- everybody there has been where you are. Get a core group of support together as well, and allow yourself to reach out and be vulnerable.
4. Feelings. Learn to separate your feelings from your eating disorder. Allow yourself to have your feelings- they won’t kill you. What can kill you is an eating disorder. Take time out when you are feeling down and don’t let it influence your eating disorder.
5. Therapy and treatment team. You may not be getting residential treatment anymore, but continued therapy is important. Make it a priority. If you aren’t dealing with new issues, it is more likely that you will relapse.
6. Emotional needs. Eating disorders are often a pseudo-fix for an emotional need. Looking inward to discover the root of your problem and finding out what you really need will help you separate your root needs (perhaps higher self esteem and self-acceptance) from your pseudo needs (you want to be skinnier).
7. Boundaries. Often times an eating disorder is a way for you to keep people at a distance. Learn to set limits in a positive way. There are classes available to teach you out to be assertive.
8. Spirituality. Search for a purpose; involve yourself in things to help you find peace, hope, and a connection. Too many times we all get distracted by the material things like work and the media. The things that really matter are love and life.
9. Service. Get involved in volunteer opportunities! Open yourself up and step outside your boundaries to help others with eating disorders.
10. Fun and creativity. Let yourself loose on the weekend and enjoy yourself! Never experiencing the world around us by brooding at home every day will only intensify an eating disorder. Do something you can let yourself shine, but don’t be a perfectionist. It’s okay if you don’t do it perfect every time.

Citation information: Daily-Murphy, Laurie (CEDS) “Recovery Tips After Residential Treatment” Eating Disorders Today Fall 2006: 6

Top 10 Signs of Anorexia

Brant — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:03:37 +0000

What is anorexia?
Anorexia is one of the most well known eating disorders. When somebody is struggling with anorexia they lose an extreme amount of weight, usually 15% below what the average person’s body weight should be. To be considered anorexic this weight loss does not relate to any special medical condition or treatment causing the decrease in weight, rather it relates to something that the victim inflicts upon his or her self.

Who struggles with anorexia?
Anybody who struggles with their body image because they feel they have too much weight is vulnerable to giving in to anorexia. Generally women are statistically diagnosed with anorexia more than men, but they are by no means the only gender affected by it. Culture affects these numbers by sending us the message that men are supposed to be large and strong, while women are encouraged to be thin and petite, therefore making them more susceptible to anorexia. Adolescents seem to be affected the most by anorexia.

Top 10 Signs of Anorexia
1. Dramatic weight loss for one’s age and height
2. Refusing to eat in public
3. Eating only specific foods- specifically those low in calories and fat
4. Skipping meals often with no explanations
5. Covering the weight-loss by wearing baggy clothing
6. Obsessing over body image
7. Basing self-worth on body image and weight
8. Complaining about being overweight when they are actually underweight
9. (Females only) Missing three or more menstrual periods in a row
10. Avoiding social gatherings where food will be involved

What are the causes of anorexia?
There are a number of reasons that play a role in causing anorexia. Culture seems to play a large part because we are constantly being sent the message that to be successful in life and in a career you need to be skinny and beautiful. The media sets such unrealistic and unhealthy standards, especially with today’s Photoshop and other image editing programs in addition to finding extremely skinny women to idolize. Other causes of anorexia have to do with the individual; including personality traits such as perfectionism, and low self esteem or even events in their past. Early life trauma (especially physical or sexual abuse) influences the likelihood of developing anorexia later on in life. A few other causes are relationship problems, depression, anxiety, and even just the intense feelings due to adolescence and puberty affect the possibility of anorexia. Some studies show that there may be a genetic predisposition to anorexia as well.

Ways to curb anorexia
Like every other eating disorder, it is advisable to get professional help to treat anorexia, but there a lot of things you can do to help yourself! Addressing the physical problems caused by anorexia is a good place to start. Gain back some healthy weight by developing a new plan for eating the right amount of good foods. You can take small steps and include different new foods into your diet that will help you get back to your healthy body weight. Doing a little bit of soul searching to discover what may have caused anorexia will also help so you can address the root of the problem.

If you or a loved one is struggling with anorexia, contact a qualified eating disorder treatment facility today to get the help you deserve.