Eating Disorder Recovery

Forging an eating disorder recovery plan takes education, guidance, and support. There are many complexities involved with eating issues. This set of ailments is characterized by using food to block out feelings and emotions. There is a common thread that runs from person to person who has such issues. There are usually many breeches in personal boundaries. Anything from physical, sexual, and intellectual sanctuaries to emotional and psychological havens have been invaded. Not just from time to time, but consistently from an early age. Research has shown that many disorders of this type have a strong root in loss of control. The one thing that most people can control is how much they eat and when. And when that doesn't work, they can always throw it up. Typical of eating disorder recovery plans are the inclusion of individual and family counseling, stress reduction and nutritional education, body image and sexuality groups. "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7) Families and individuals dealing with eating disorder recovery often end up that way because they are unaware that there is trouble brewing; that is until it is too late. Compulsive overeating, binge eating, anorexia, and bulimia are the most common of these ailments. Compulsive overeating often leads not only to overweight; but obesity. Obesity is on the rise and becoming an increasing hazard for over eaters. In order to cope with daily issues, stress, and/or emotional conflicts over eaters of this type pacify themselves with food. Compulsive over eaters usually feel out of control and are aware that gorging is not the way to handle things, yet this type of eater persists in these destructive patterns. Although their eating patterns may even seem abnormal to them, there is still a comforting feeling when they can choose favorite foods to eat.

Binge eating is another condition that people are forced to handle in eating disorder recovery. A binge eater will eat enormous amounts of food; grotesque amounts even. So much more food than needed; that a person without this disorder would be appalled. This is why such a disorder goes undetected for so long. There is typically a feeling of being uncomfortably full. The eater often experiences depression, guilty and/or disgust following this gorging pattern. Most times the person is not even hungry. But, using food to cover feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, and hopelessness brings a certain satisfaction; albeit very temporary. During the eating binge, the person is mulling over the fact that this seems to be the only outlet for them to express their feelings. Of course, for many who binge eat, the next phase of behavior is to expel the food. This is a condition of it's own. It's called bulimia. The main differences between the two is that a binge eater doesn't necessarily throw it up and a bulimia sufferer doesn't necessarily overeat.

Bulimia is characterized by first eating, then purging. This is very dangerous for the esophagus. The esophagus is only meant to have food travel one way. An occasional eruption is normal; but consistently vomiting can cause permanent esophageal damage. Without an eating disorder recovery plan in place, the esophagus could eventually develop erosions and ulcers. When the patient stops the vicious cycle of destruction these sores will heal. But, upon mending, scarring can take place that results in esophageal stricture. Benign esophageal stricture is a reduction of the opening of the esophagus that produces swallowing difficulties. These strictures can have a long term impact on a person's ability to eat normally. Therefore, when bulimia is present, it is critical to get immediate help.

As individuals and families navigate their personal eating disorder recovery process, there are several aspects of the plan that should be keep in mind. Behavior change is the goal. Sufferers must establish new patterns and a whole new mindset. Each time a "loss of control" thought comes along, the person will need to make a determined decision of what action to take; instead of letting their feelings dictate the choices they make with food. No longer will this person allow the feeling of being out of control; control how food is used. There are many coping mechanisms that are much more beneficial and healthier than eating. This change will not happen overnight; but through consistent and persistent practice. Like most behavior changes; things must be taken one day at a time.

No recovery process can work if the individual, who is effected, is not 100% motivated to be healed. Either through education (the preferred method) or devastation (to be avoided at all costs) the person with an eating disorder will make the decision to seek help. Since the best eating disorder recovery plans include family counseling, confessing of a person's struggles, to a trusted family member, early in the recovery period, will help to build the support that is needed to successfully meet their healing goals. Some very effective programs include creative expression, assertiveness training, and recreational therapy as "whole person" treatment. Eating disorder recovery is more efficient and effective when caring health professionals and family are involved. A key feature of an effective program is also an aftercare program. A change in environment (both physical and from individuals) will help a person clear their head to begin the process of healing. Learning new nutritional behaviors coupled with body image retraining can cause a whole plethora of new and more accurate responses to everyday situations.