Appetite Disturbances: Treating Bulimia

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Appetite Disturbances: Treating Bulimia

 

Appetite Disturbances, either experiencing loss of appetite, or having

difficulty controlling it, several alternative therapies can help. If you

experience a notable change in appetite, you should first consult a physician,

to rule out any illness or nutritional deficiencies. Whether you want to

stimulate your appetite or control it, changing the way you eat may help.

 

Appetite loss is the body's defense against ingesting anything that could slow

the healing process. Almost any infection can cause a loss of appetite. A

passing cold or flu virus could be responsible. So could more serious things

like tuberculosis, low thyroid function, diseases of the heart or lungs or liver

problems.

 

Bulimia is an illness characterized by uncontrolled episodes of overeating

usually followed by self-induced vomiting. Eating binges may occur as often as

several times a day. Induced vomiting known as purging allows the eating to

continue until interrupted by sleep, abdominal pain, or the presence of another

person. The person is usually aware that their eating pattern is abnormal and

may experience fear or guilt associated with the binge-purge episodes. The

behavior is usually secretive, although clues to this disorder include

overactivity, peculiar eating habits, eating rituals, and frequent weighing.

Body weight is usually normal or low, although the person may perceive

themselves as overweight.

 

The exact cause of bulimia is unknown, but factors thought to contribute to its

development are family problems, maladaptive behavior, self-identity conflict,

and cultural overemphasis on physical appearance. Bulimia may be associated with

depression. The disorder is usually not associated with any underlying physical

problem although the behavior may be associated with neurological or endocrine

diseases. The disorder occurs most often in females of adolescent or young adult

age. The incidence is 2 in 10,000 people.

 

Bulimia is a bit different from anorexia because the person with bulimia doesn't

avoid eating. Instead, he or she eats a large amount of food then gets rid of it

quickly by vomiting or taking laxatives. This is commonly known as " binge and

purge " behavior.

 

Best Balancing Tips

1. Recognize the problem: People with an appetite disturbance often do not

recognize or admit that they have a problem. A trusted family members or other

individual you believe in can be helpful in making sure that needed care or

rehabilitation are received.

 

2. Determining your needs: Appetite disturbances, eating disorders, depression

and anxiety all require a comprehensive diagnosis, in which, the clinician will

determine whether the person is in immediate danger and/or requires

hospitalization. Nutritional counseling, psychosocial interventions, monitoring,

as well as medical care maybe appropriate.

 

3. Talk Therapies: Individual psychotherapy (especially cognitive-behavioral or

interpersonal psychotherapy), group psychotherapy that uses a

cognitive-behavioral approach and family or marital therapy can be very

effective. Overcome low self-esteem and addressing distorted thought patterns

and behaviors are crucial. Families are sometimes included in the therapeutic

process.

 

4. Severe weight loss: requires an inpatient hospital stay, where proper

nourishment is given and the person's medical needs are met. In some cases,

intravenous feeding is appropriate.

 

5. Moderate exercise is crucial: for those suffering from anorexia and bulimia.

Not only does it help burn excess calories, but by increasing your physical

activity you can modify the way your brain regulates hunger, making you less

susceptible to food cravings and can increase hormones in order to stabilize

mood or anxiety disorders. If exercise is done excessively, in the case of

anorexia and bulimia, encouragement of healthy but not excessive exercise is the

specific goal in this strategy.

 

6. The primary goal of treatment for bulimia: is to reduce or eliminate binge

eating and purging behavior.

 

7. Vitamin Therapy: is a good way to help your body regulate what you may not be

getting through your diet or what you are losing through purging and abuse. A

good daily multivitamin is the best start.

 

8. Control blood sugar levels: this is a good way to balance your system by

eating 5 small high protein meals a day.

 

9. Believe: Your belief system has everything to do with the mental and

spiritual aspects of any eating disorder. Fight anxiety with relaxation

exercises rather than food. Utilize meditation, yoga, stretching. By creating

healthy eating habits and regular exercise, you are sure to lose weight without

depriving yourself of nourishing food. And if you continue those good habits

after you reach your goal, you will have an excellent chance of maintaining your

desired weight and see it more as maintaining a lifestyle as opposed to a diet.

 

10. Sleep Well: Good quality sleep is important, especially when you are trying

to recover from bulimia. It is most important to go to sleep with a " Quiet

Mind " . Sleep rejuvenates, detoxes and regulates the body.

 

11. Overcome Fear: Fear can be an underlining problem in many cases. There are

many ways to quiet the mind. Doing 15 to 30 minutes of meditation or yoga can be

very helpful. You must allow yourself to be distracted or get into your

meditation or yoga and " let go " of the days thoughts. Address your fears or

phobias by journaling.

 

 

Supplements To Consider

 

Try eating small meals. Practice good nutrition. One should not view food as an

enemy. Eating a balanced, proper diet won't make you fat. It will make you

healthy. If you eat right and exercise sensibly, this will stimulate appetite

and serve as energy.

 

Supplements in a multivitamin/mineral that provides 100 percent of the Daily

Values of all essential nutrients while people are relearning to eat real foods

is recommended. Supplements of certain individual nutrients, particularly

potassium, calcium (1500 mg in divided doses with 200 mg Vitamin D and 500 -

1000 mg magnesium), chromium (200 mcg), iron, zinc, vitamin E (200-400 IU) and

the B vitamin comples (25 mg of each B vitamin). Experts warn that supplements

cannot take the place of food. The body will not properly absorb and use

vitamins and minerals without also receiving adequate calories.

 

 

Emotional Aspect: What Is Eating At You!

 

There is an emotional aspect to every illness. Often times, it is the emotional

thoughts or " excess emotions " that will lead to illness.

 

Bulimia is often caused by " poor body image " , stress, anxiety or social habits

or social pressures to be thin.

 

Inner Controversy - Family problems, maladaptive behavior, self-identity

conflict can all be a cause of appetite problems.

 

How do I look ? Cultural overemphasis on physical appearance and social

attitudes towards body appearance seem to promote food aversions.

 

What I have learned at home... family factors play a role in our mental

development about food and how we eat.

 

We can then train ourselves to... distinguish and continue to reproduce a

non-compulsive state.

 

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac

http://www.peacefulmind.com/appetite_disturbance.htm

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit