Treatment for Anorexia
Many people are driven to become anorexic because of past traumatic experiences such as sexual abuse or because of various stressful situations they have a lack of control over. Here at Casa Palmera, we recognize that anorexia may have an underlying cause and seek to address those issues as well. We understand that each individual needs specific attention related to their individualized needs, which is why our anorexia treatment program not only addresses the physical effects of anorexia, but also the specific problems and fears each individual may struggle with.
At Casa Palmera, we understand the complexities of anorexia treatment and our residential treatment facility is renowned for eating disorder therapy. Our programs include various forms of psychotherapy which is used to address personal issues affecting one's ability to enjoy life. A few other classes and programs which involve our four core elements are: nutritional therapies (especially important to those diagnosed with anorexia as this program aids in making healthy food choices), meditative practices such as yoga and t'ai chi, and expressive therapies such as art and dance movement therapy which use the creative process to assist those who may have problems communicating their thoughts and also to encourage positive changes in life.
All of the programs at Casa Palmera are here to aid you in reversing unhealthy patterns of thinking and to assist in not only treating the symptoms of your disease but to encourage your personal growth and help you realize your own potential in the world.
What you need to know 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 in order to obtain control over various areas of their lives. This control is achieved through self-starvation and sometimes through 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. Although anorexia is typically thought of as a disorder only affecting females, approximately 10% of sufferers are male. All age groups can be affected by anorexia but young adolescents make up the primary age range.
The Signs of Anorexia
Many different signs can indicate the presence of an eating disorder. Some symptoms may be noticed through the mere observance of a person, and others are only noted by a closer examination of a person's emotional and behavioral habits. The following are ten signs to look for when considering the presence of anorexia:
- Extreme weight loss
- Fatigue
- Wearing baggy clothing or many layers
- Skipping meals
- Dry skin
- Susceptibility to cold
- In females, the absence of three of more consecutive periods;
In males, sexual desire reduced - Dehydration
- Thinning hair
- Constantly worrying or complaining about being overweight
Because of the seriousness of a disorder such as anorexia, it is important that medical help be sought through anorexia intervention before the case becomes too serious and complications arise. Here at Casa Palmera, we desire to serve you and aid in your personal well-being through our specialized programs. By incorporating our holistic approach to healing we seek to eliminate not only the physical symptoms of anorexia but also to identify the root of the problem and bring overall healing in anorexia recovery.
What causes Anorexia?
Anorexia nervosa can be caused and encouraged by different factors unique to each individual.
- The social environment and culture you are a part of often times determines the amount of importance you place on physical appearance. Those who struggle with poor self-image can be greatly affected by the strong emphasis the media in society places 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, poor self-esteem and the ability to restrain one's self.
- Another factor that has been shown to dramatically increase someone's chances of developing an eating disorder is the presence of an immediate family member who has struggled with an eating disorder. If you have a family member who has suffered from an eating disorder your chances of developing one increase by about 10 to 20 times.
- Various life changes often trigger the onset of anorexia nervosa. This may be why young adolescents are such a common age group for eating disorders. Young adolescents must deal with the stress and awkwardness of puberty where everything seems to be changing all at once.
The program here at Casa Palmera looks at several different aspects of an individual's life, such as the previously mentioned factors, when aiding them in recovery. 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 are the medical/psychotherapy core, the lifestyle core, the complementary medicine core and the environmental core, all of which play a key role in the pursuit of further health improvement.
Those who suffer from anorexia are influenced by elements from all areas of their lives, thus, it is no wonder that the effects of this disorder can become so extreme.
What are 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 often times affect a deeper, psychological side of you. 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 very dangerous and sometimes irreversible.
Physical Effects
- Anemia
- Kidney stones, complete kidney failure
- Erosion 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
Call for help today at 888-481-4481.