{"id":293,"date":"2015-09-26T04:47:34","date_gmt":"2015-09-26T04:47:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/smartrecoverybc.com\/?page_id=293"},"modified":"2015-09-26T04:51:28","modified_gmt":"2015-09-26T04:51:28","slug":"eating-disorders","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/smartrecoverybc.com\/index.php\/resources\/addiction-information\/eating-disorders.html","title":{"rendered":"Eating Disorders"},"content":{"rendered":"

Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating<\/h1>\n

By Ann Hull, The Hull Institute<\/a><\/p>\n

What is disordered eating?<\/h2>\n

Disordered eating: Isn\u2019t everyone doing it? Well, most of us are doing it. We are skipping breakfast, eating too much fast food, eating bags of chocolate then starving the whole next day, trying to figure out what to eat every day and what size body is right for us. We eat the \u201cwrong foods\u201d or don\u2019t follow the plan we set out for ourselves, then feel bad about ourselves and vow not to do it again. It used to just be women who do this, now men do it too. It feels like a vicious addictive cycle.<\/p>\n

Disordered eating is complicated and difficult to overcome, mostly because high calorie and less nutritious foods tend to taste better to us. However, this is not an eating disorder. Poor eating is unhealthy and can get us frustrated and down, and it can develop into an eating disorder, but in itself, it is not an actual disorder.<\/p>\n

What are eating disorders?<\/h2>\n

Daily, new research is revealing that eating disorders are much like any other addiction. They affect the pleasure centers of the brain much like cocaine or heroin, and can be even more dangerous. Eating disorders are biologically based brain disorders.<\/p>\n

In medical terms, there are 3 classes of eating disorders:\u00a0 ANOREXIA, BULIMIA and BINGE EATING DISORDER. The criteria used to make these diagnoses have recently changed, such that more people meet the diagnosis than ever before.<\/p>\n

Anorexia<\/h3>\n

Restricting your food intake to the point that it affects your brain, your body, your functioning in work or school, and your relationships.\u00a0 Anorexia starts as a way to manage your weight, then it quickly becomes a way to manage your emotions and your life.\u00a0 It often includes extreme weight loss, loss of your period (or low testosterone in men), physical problems such as dizziness, headaches, hair loss, dry skin, lack of sleep, and being cold all the time.\u00a0 Not eating can cause many physical problems such as a shrinking brain, bone loss, muscle loss, heart problems, and a host of other problems.\u00a0 It causes you to become depressed, have no energy, not be able to see yourself clearly in the mirror and it convinces you that you are fat even when others tell you that you are too thin.\u00a0 It has a negative effect on your relationships and your self esteem.\u00a0 It can happen to women and men of any age.<\/p>\n

Bulimia<\/h3>\n

Eating large amounts of food then purging it.\u00a0 Purging usually means throwing up, but it also means any way to get rid of food once it is eaten; for example: laxatives and diuretics and over-exercising to burn off the food.\u00a0 \u201cLarge amounts\u201d of food means eating more than is usual in an average time frame, to the point of feeling stuffed or overstuffed, and physically ill or uncomfortable.\u00a0 Binging is usually done in secret, outside or regular eating.<\/p>\n

Some people will restrict, or eat nothing, all day, then binge and purge at night; some people will eat OK during the rest of the day, and still binge and purge during certain periods other times.\u00a0 Bulimia is also very dangerous as it can cause electrolyte imbalances in the body, which puts a huge strain on your heart.\u00a0 Think of it this way: every time you throw up your food, you inflict trauma on your body.\u00a0 Our bodies were not designed for this sort of trauma.\u00a0 Over time, it takes its toll.\u00a0 And don\u2019t forget about how all the acid in your vomit can rot your teeth after even a short time of purging.\u00a0 Women and men of any age can get bulimia.<\/p>\n

Binge Eating Disorder<\/h3>\n

This is a new diagnosis, although binging has been around for a long time.\u00a0 Binging is eating a large amount of food in an out of control fashion, and not using any sort of behaviors to get rid of it.\u00a0 Binge eating disorder can be as dangerous as anorexia and bulimia, though most people don\u2019t know that.\u00a0 Sometimes it is more dangerous because no one notices the behaviors and bingers may be less likely to get help.\u00a0 \u00a0We still live in a society that believes that overweight people cannot possibly have an eating disorder; it is just that the person is weak.\u00a0 Binge eating disorder is a brain disorder like anorexia and bulimia, and without treatment, it will probably get worse with time.<\/p>\n

Binge eating disorder affects almost as many men as women, and affects all shapes and sizes of adults and children.\u00a0 When people binge, it is almost always on sugar, or simple carbohydrates that break down into sugars, and fats and salty foods.\u00a0 Rarely do people binge on broccoli and salad, because those foods don\u2019t have the addictive qualities that sugar, fat (fast food) and salt have.<\/p>\n

Over exercising is very common in today\u2019s world where we hear we need to eat less and exercise more.\u00a0 While \u201cdieting\u201d means you are burning more calories than you are eating, it can be dangerous if you are working out for more time than your body can handle.\u00a0 If working out becomes an obsession where you are putting it first over all other activities, then you may have a problem.\u00a0 If you work out even when your body is exhausted and hurting, you may have an exercise addiction.<\/p>\n

Eating disorders are like other addictions because, without treatment, they will probably get worse.\u00a0 Like with alcohol and drugs, over time, you will need more of the \u201cdrug\u201d, the eating disorder behavior, to get the high or numbing you are looking for.\u00a0 If left untreated, it will get worse and cause more negative consequences.\u00a0 It is like other addictions because even when you no longer like the effects and you try to quit, you can only go a short period of time until it comes back full force.<\/p>\n

Up to half of people with substance addictions also have eating disorders.\u00a0 Anyone in recovery knows how easy it is to change addictions, from drugs, to eating disorder, gambling, spending, etc.\u00a0 It is common for one addiction to be replaced by another one, because all of them are brain disorders and until the brain is trained to do something other than numb out or get high, the addicted person\u2019s brain\u2019s \u201cgo to\u201d will be some sort of addictive behavior.<\/p>\n

Hence SMART Recovery, a method for overcoming addictions.<\/p>\n

More people die of eating disorders than any other addiction or mental illness.<\/strong><\/p>\n

How do I know if I have an eating disorder?<\/h2>\n

Take this on line test. The EAT-26 is a good way to tell if you have a problem and what to do about it. If these test results say you need to seek help, SEEK HELP.<\/p>\n

EAT-26 Test<\/a><\/p>\n

What sort of help do I need?<\/h2>\n

Like in other addictions, the eating disorder (sometimes called “food addiction”)<\/strong> convinces you that you don\u2019t really have it or that it \u201cisn\u2019t that bad\u201d. If you are reading this, it might be \u201cthat bad\u201d. You might also be using drugs and alcohol, or be having other self harm behaviors such as cutting or burning yourself. Often, depression and anxiety go hand in hand with eating disorders. Put all this together, and you have a very complicated and dangerous problem. It is not likely that you can figure out on your own how to tackle these problems.<\/p>\n

First, talk with your doctor. Be direct and honest with him or her, and ask for help. Surprisingly, many doctors do not know how to treat eating disorders. If your doctor doesn\u2019t know what to do, consider finding another.<\/p>\n

Second, seek therapy. An eating disorders specialist can help you identify the problem, and determine what sort of help you need. Be careful in choosing a specialist. Many therapists know very little about eating disorders, and therefore may be unhelpful.<\/p>\n

Third, see a registered dietitian. Be sure they are registered and have training in eating disorders treatment. Eating disorders are complicated and dangerous and not just anyone can safely advise you how to eat properly.<\/p>\n

Fourth, attend a SMART Recovery group.<\/p>\n

How can SMART Recovery help me stop my eating disorder?<\/h2>\n

SMART Recovery provides its members with tools and support that they can use to help them recover from addictions \u2013 be it alcohol, or other drugs or negative behaviors. SMART Recovery’s 4-Point Program\u00ae is designed to help you overcome your problems:<\/p>\n

\n

1. Building & Maintaining Motivation<\/strong> \u2013 Helps you identify and keep up with your reasons for positive change. Why do you want to change – what will keep you focused on that goal?<\/p>\n

2. Coping with Urges<\/strong> \u2013 Dealing with urges and cravings is part of recovery. SMART has tools designed to help our members cope with urges and cravings.<\/p>\n

3. Managing Thoughts, Feelings and Behaviors<\/strong> \u2013 We frequently turn to using drugs to either escape from or avoid addressing problems. SMART Recovery participants learn problem-solving tools to help them manage challenges along the way.<\/p>\n

4. Living a Balanced Life<\/strong> \u2013 Addiction can put your life out of balance \u2013 you may find yourself opting to engage in your addiction rather than go to work or school. You may find that things you once enjoyed aren\u2019t fun anymore. SMART give members skills to help balance both short and long-term goals, pleasures and needs that were once out of balance.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

While many SMART Recovery groups are prominently for other addictions, the tools you will learn are the same and SMART Recovery’s non 12-step approach can be used as an alternative to Overeaters Anonymous or other food addiction support groups. You can substitute any terms or talk you hear about alcohol or drugs for restricting or binging and purging, and you will be able to get the support you need and deserve.<\/p>\n

Eating Disorders and the Stages of Change<\/h2>\n

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