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Eating Disorders

Anorexia

Treatment for Anorexia

Many people suffer from anorexia because of past traumatic experiences, such as sexual abuse and other very stressful situations. At Casa Palmera, we recognize that anorexia may have an underlying cause and we seek to address those issues as well. We understand that each person needs specific attention related to his or her individualized needs. The anorexia treatment program at Casa Palmera not only addresses the physical effects of anorexia, but also the specific problems and fears with which each individual may struggle.

Residents at anorexia treatment center

At Casa Palmera, we understand the complexities of treating anorexia and our residential treatment facility is renowned for innovative eating disorder therapies. Our programs include various forms of psychotherapy which address personal issues that affect one's ability to enjoy life. Our programs include different elements: nutritional therapies which are especially important to those diagnosed with anorexia as this program aids in making healthy food choices; meditative practices such as yoga and progressive relaxation techniques; expressive therapies such as art and music therapy which use the creative process to assist those who may have problems communicating their thoughts.

All of the programs at Casa Palmera are here to help reverse unhealthy patterns. We not only treat symptoms but also encourage personal growth and help each individual realize his or her full potential.

Information about Anorexia

Anorexia nervosa is a dangerous psychological and physical disorder characterized by the relentless pursuit of thinness. Those with this disorder have a severe fear of weight gain and typically use food and weight loss to obtain control over various areas of their lives. This relentless pursuit of thinness is achieved through self-starvation or excessive exercise. Typically those who are 15% or more below the normal body weight for their height and age are considered to have anorexia nervosa, although there are exceptions to this case. Approximately 10% of all diagnosed cases of anorexia result in death, giving anorexia one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric disease. Anorexia plays no favorites although many people think it affects only females. In actuality, approximately 10% of those affected are male. All gender and age groups can be affected by the debilitating effects of anorexia.

The Signs of Anorexia

Many different signs indicate the presence of an eating disorder. The following are ten signs to look for when considering the presence of anorexia:

  1. Extreme weight loss
  2. Fatigue
  3. Wearing baggy clothing or many layers
  4. Skipping meals
  5. Dry skin
  6. Susceptibility to cold
  7. In females, the absence of three of more consecutive periods;
    In males, sexual desire reduced
  8. Dehydration
  9. Thinning hair
  10. Constantly worrying or complaining about being overweight

Because of the seriousness of anorexia, it is imperative that medical help be sought to halt life threatining complications. At Casa Palmera, we are dedicated to helping you attain personal well-being through our specialized programs. By blending our medical and holistic approaches to healing, we not only treat the physical symptoms of anorexia but also the root of the problem. Our goal is to bring overall healing from the devastation of anorexia.

Causes of Anorexia

Anorexia nervosa can be caused by different factors unique to each individual.

  • The social environment and culture determine the amount of importance placed on physical appearance. Struggling with poor self-image is greatly affected by the strong emphasis the media and society place on being thin and maintaining the "perfect" figure.
  • Common personality traits found in those with anorexia that may predispose them to an eating disorder are: perfectionism and poor self-esteem.
  • If you have a family member who has struggled with an eating disorder your chances of developing the disease increase by 10 to 20 times.
  • Various life changes often trigger the onset of anorexia nervosa.

At Casa Palmera, our goal is not only to heal the physical body of a person but the spirit as well. We achieve this goal by incorporating four core elements into our recovery program. These elements all play a key role in the pursuit of health improvement:

  • The medical/psychotherapy core
  • The lifestyle core
  • The complementary medicine core
  • The environmental core

Those who suffer from anorexia are influenced by elements from all areas of their lives. It is no wonder that the effects of this disorder can become so extreme.

The effects of Anorexia

Anorexia affects your entire body. Its effects can stretch from the skin on your arms to the beat of your heart, and affects a deeper, psychological side. Many complications can arise from anorexia. Due to a lack of food in the body, various systems are not properly nourished. The effects of this malnourishment are extremely dangerous and sometimes irreversible.

Physical Effects

  • Anemia
  • Kidney stones, complete kidney failure
  • Erosion or loss of teeth
  • Osteoporosis
  • Dry, yellow skin
  • Irregular heart rhythms, heart failure
  • Brittle hair and nails
  • Fine hair appearing all over body

Emotional Effects

  • Depression
  • Irritability
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Memory loss
  • Resorting back to a child-like state of mind
  • Listlessness

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