Breaking Down the Stigma Surrounding Eating Disorders: Anorexia and Bulimia

Thrive • Feb 02, 2021

The end of February marks National Eating Disorder Awareness (NEDA) Week ! During the entire month of February, Thrive is focusing on raising awareness and breaking down the stigma surrounding eating disorders. This week, we are highlighting anorexia and bulimia, some of the most common types of eating disorders. Most people assume that individuals choose to have an eating disorder, which contributes to the social stigma — but really eating disorders are serious mental and physical illnesses. In fact, 50 to 80 percent of the risk factors for anorexia are genetic. Paired with genetics and societal pressures, anyone can suffer from an eating disorder.

Anorexia nervosa, the number one killer among any mental health diagnosis

Anorexia nervosa is typically characterized by weight loss, difficulties maintaining an appropriate body weight for height and age, and in many cases, distorted body image. Usually, an individual struggling with anorexia restricts the number of calories and types of food they consume, in fear of gaining weight. Oftentimes, anorexia is accompanied by excessive exercising, purging via vomiting and laxatives, or binge eating.

Anorexia is the number one killer among all mental health disorders. The cycle of self-starvation found in anorexia denies the body of the vital nutrients it needs to function normally. This causes the body to slow down all of its processes to conserve energy and can result in serious medical consequences. Sometimes medical testing doesn’t reflect how medically compromised these individuals are. This is because electrolyte imbalances and cardiac arrest (two common medical complications that can be of serious concern) can be fatal and come on without warning.

Bulimia nervosa, the sneaky eating disorder

Bulimia nervosa is another common eating disorder that is also life-threatening. Bulimia is characterized by a cycle of binge eating and compensatory behaviors. For example, individuals suffering from bulimia induce vomiting to undo or compensate for the effects of binge eating. Usually, those struggling with bulimia are concerned with weight loss, dieting, and control of food.

If you notice an individual taking frequent trips to the bathroom during or after a meal this can be a sign that they may be struggling with bulimia. It can be difficult to identify someone suffering from bulimia because of the extreme lengths they go to in order to keep their “secret.” Because of the recurring binge-and-purge cycles that come with bulimia, the individual’s entire digestive system is affected. Binging and purging can lead to electrolyte and chemical imbalances in the body that affect the heart and other major organs.

The psychological effects of anorexia and bulimia

People struggling with anorexia and bulimia tend to be perfectionists and sometimes struggle with low self-esteem, causing them to be critical of themselves and their bodies. There is an intense fear of gaining weight. They often use their eating disorder as a way to feel in control. In most cases, eating disorders are accompanied by other mental health disorders like anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and substance abuse.

Let’s play MythBusters!

“People with anorexia are always extremely underweight. You can tell they have it just by looking at them.” FALSE! People with anorexia do not have to be underweight to be struggling. Anorexia can affect any body type and size.

“They always cook dinner and are talking about food. There’s no way they have anorexia.” FALSE! People struggling with anorexia often obsess over food and always talk about food. If you notice they are talking about food more often than not without actually eating in front of anyone, this could be a sign they are struggling!

“Fitness is just a major hobby of theirs. It is normal for them to be at the gym all the time and exercise multiple times a day.” FALSE! Excessive exercising can be a sign of an eating disorder. Usually, those struggling with an eating disorder feel they need to burn all the calories they consume so they do not gain weight.

“Dieting is a healthy lifestyle, it is okay to cut out certain foods because they are bad for you.” FALSE! Dieting is a potential gateway to most eating disorders and food issues. When you limit what you eat, you are ignoring your body’s cues. Labeling food as good or bad is extremely damaging to your relationship with food. Think of your body as your friend. It is telling you what it needs.

“They must have a small bladder. They are going to the bathroom a lot during dinner.” FALSE! Well maybe they do have a small bladder, or maybe they are struggling with an eating disorder. As friends and family we are here to support and help, not judge.

“They are an athlete. Of course, they have to eat a certain way.” FALSE! A study found that 35 percent of female and 10 percent of male college athletes were at risk for anorexia nervosa and 58 percent of female and 38 percent of male college athletes were at risk for bulimia nervosa.

Thrive, don’t just survive!

Thrive understands the complex psychological and physical effects that come with an eating disorder. That is why we use a multidisciplinary approach that addresses every part of the client — mind, body, and soul. Let us help you on your path to recovery by healing your relationship with yourself, your body, and food. We offer various levels of care for eating disorders, including an intensive outpatient program, partial hospitalization program and outpatient therapy. Start thriving!

The post Breaking Down the Stigma Surrounding Eating Disorders: Anorexia and Bulimia first appeared on Thrive Wellness.

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Clean House, Healthy Mind: Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental Health

By Sage Tippie • 23 Apr, 2024

Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental Health Spring is a time of new beginnings, change, and transitions, including in our homes. With the warmer weather kicking motivation into high gear, Spring can be a prime time to do a deep clean. Not only is a clean space aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, but it can also help to improve your mental health. Learn about how tidying up your space can also tidy up your thoughts below along with tips for cleaning when you’re struggling with your mental health. 4 Reasons Why Cleaning is Beneficial to Mental health 1.Decreased Stress Not only does an uncluttered space provide a sense of calm, but the physical act of cleaning can release feel-good endorphins, reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. As you cross tasks off your checklist, your body also releases Dopamine. Also known as the “happy hormone”, Dopamine provides a sense of accomplishment and pride that can promote motivation in other areas of our lives. 2. Improved Focus Studies have shown that an uncluttered space can also lead to an uncluttered mind. Your focus can be drawn away from important tasks by a chaotic, messy space. Research has also shown a connection between procrastination and clutter, as an unwillingness to tackle larger chores like cleaning can translate over into various areas of our lives. By keeping your space tidy, it can inspire you to stay on top of other major tasks like work and school assignments. 3. Regulated Emotions According to this 2015 study , cleaning can function as a practice in mindfulness, providing an increased sense of calm and inspiration. Slowing down while cleaning gives you room to relax and free your mind of burdens, stressors, and irritants that can affect your mental health. Cleaning can even be considered a practice of self-care as the action helps you to connect with yourself and the outcome allows you to better enjoy your own space. 4. Sense of Order and Control When experiencing mental health struggles, people may feel a lack of control over their lives and emotions. Cleaning even small areas of the home can provide an increased sense of order and control as you cross tasks off your to-do list. Through realizing your own power by simply completing minor tasks like cleaning, it can reaffirm your ability to do more. 10 Tips for Cleaning When Struggling with Mental Health Mental health struggles and disorders commonly create barriers to one’s ability to clean and properly practice personal hygiene. Although these behaviors are normal side effects of mental health disorders, we want to work to aid our clients in cleaning to the best of their ability even in difficult times. Below, Thrive Wellness occupational therapist Meadow Deason shares some helpful tips she gives to clients when they struggle with cleaning due to mental health conditions: 1.Ask For Help Having support to clean can make a huge difference. Do the cleaning with the person helping you and have them hold you accountable. 2. Don't Wait for Motivation Motivation might not come before action, but it can build as you begin to see the results of your efforts. 3. Start Small Start with one area or one task and go from there. For example, concentrate on your bedroom first and then move on to the living room and bathroom. 4. Do Something Daily Even if you do only one small cleaning task a day, doing that one task creates momentum and prevents small tasks from building up and becoming overwhelming. 5. Use Sensory Modulation Change your environment by playing music, adjusting the lighting, or using aromatherapy. This can help to put you in a new headspace for cleaning. 6. Start with "High Impact" Tasks Start with more intensive or all-over cleaning tasks such as picking up clutter or doing the dishes. The visual "noise" of some tasks makes a large impact on the entire space, building motivation to continue cleaning. 7. Make a To-Do List Write a detailed to-do list of tasks and cross them off as you go. Physically marking down what you’ve accomplished can promote increased motivation. 8. Reward Yourself Set up a reward system where you reward yourself with a favorite activity or item when you complete a task as an incentive to clean. 9. Use the Rocket Method Don't think about it, just choose a task, countdown from five or ten and then start. This can help you to avoid potential anxiety and dread that can prevent you from cleaning. 10. Gamify Tasks Make up a game for your tasks or time yourself to promote increased engagement in cleaning. Your ability to complete tasks can be affected by a multitude of different factors and conditions including OCD , anxiety, depression , ADHD , and more. If you are struggling with motivation due to your mental health, help is here at Thrive Wellness.

child getting bandaid from doctor while mother smiles

The Importance of Whole Family Primary Care: A Q&A with Dr. Stephanie Wright

26 Mar, 2024

By serving the whole family, physicians are able to have a better understanding of family dynamics, family health care goals, and history of disease in the family.