Everybody deserves to be loved. In a bid to look hot and sexy, certain people go on perpetual fastings to achieve this ‘perfect’ look.
Whilst it’s good to keep fit, it’s also important that you do not take extreme measures that can be detrimental to your health.
Anorexia, otherwise called anorexia nervosa is an eating and mental disorder characterized by an obsessive desire to lose weight by refusing to eat.
Although statistics show that 90% of people who suffer from this disorder are women, anorexia can also be found in men, of all ages, and in social and cultural groups.
Many people develop anorexia intentionally and some become anorexic due to dieting. Recovering from anorexia can be a little challenging but very possible if you take the right steps.
In this article, we have provided 7 steps that work on how to stop anorexia. You should try them out and also share the tips with any anorexic person you know.
Steps On How To Stop Anorexia
1. Seek Medical Attention
Seeking medical help is the first step in the recovery process. Treatment for anorexia typically requires a team of medical specialists including doctors, mental health professionals, and dieticians with experience with eating disorders.
Effective treatment involves psychotherapy, nutrition counseling or education, and medication.
Psychotherapy focuses on cognitive therapy that is changing the thought patterns and behavior of a person with an eating disorder.
Nutrition Education teaches the patient how to restore healthy relationships with food, develop healthy eating patterns, and the importance of nutrition and a balanced diet.
Medication including depressants is prescribed to help control anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders associated with the eating order. The doctor may also prescribe drugs that help to gain weight.
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2. Eat Well
You may have placed a lot of rigid restrictions on the amount of food you consume which is unhealthy. To recover from anorexia, you will need to eat more healthy foods.
You can develop a healthier relationship with food by;
- Avoiding skipping meals
- Staying away from diet plans
- Eating three times a day with snacks in between
- Eating carbohydrates.
- Avoiding binge eating and purging
For your body to recover all the nutrients it has lost, you need to feed well. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
3. Avoid The Things That Made You Become Anorexic
Many things could have contributed to your being anorexic. It could be your habits, your social circle, or your environment. Identifying the causes will help you avoid them. To protect yourself you may have to make some significant changes.
Some things you could do that would be of help are
- To stop overexercising. Instead, take a walk or a jog
- Learn to appreciate your body and stop pointing out flaws
- Quit checking your weight frequently
- Stay away from people who make negative comments on the way you look or body shame you
- Whatever makes you feel less confident about your body, avoid it. Stay away from social media accounts, websites, or TV shows that make you feel bad.
4. Develop A Positive Body Image
Anorexic people are never satisfied with the way they look. This creates a negative body image in their minds. To recover from this, you would have to develop a positive and healthy image of yourself.
To do this, you will have to;
- Stop making comparisons with your body against others
- Always remember that weight gain is normal
- Always remember that healthy human bodies come in different shapes and sizes
- Always remember to say positive things about your body like ‘I am beautiful and unique’ etc.
- Always engage in activities that make you happy
- Stop being a perfectionist
- Stop trying to hide your body under baggy or oversized clothes
- Wear clothes that make you feel comfortable.
5. Understand The Dangers Of Anorexia
Anorexia is no matter to be taken lightly. Learning the dangers of anorexia may be enough motivation to take your treatment seriously and to keep you from going back into unhealthy dieting.
People who suffer from anorexia are prone to a variety of severe medical conditions including;
- Infertility
- Damaged organs, especially the heart, kidney, and brain
- Osteoporosis – a medical condition where the bones become brittle and fragile from loss of tissue and more likely to break
- Arrhythmias – the irregular beating of the heart
- Hypotension – low blood pressure
- Anxiety and depression
- Development f seizures
- Amenorrhea – the absence of monthly menstrual periods
6. Ask For Emotional Support From Friends And Family
Don’t be shy to ask for support from people you trust, you do not have to go through this journey alone. Spend time with people you love that make you feel good about yourself.
Friends and family can help you follow through with your treatment plan. They can be your accountability managers, stopping you from skipping meals and making sure you take your medications to ensure your quick recovery.
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7. Trust The Process
Recovering from anorexia takes a lot of time and it’ll do you no good to worry. Remember to eat plenty of healthy foods, do the things you love, avoid the people that make you feel less confident about your body, and get plenty of rest.
Relax and trust the process. If there are any problems along the way, make sure to communicate with your team.
Conclusion
Anorexia causes damage both physically and mentally. It’s important that it is diagnosed early so that it can be curbed to prevent further damage.
The steps we provided will guide you on how to stop anorexia and help you learn to appreciate your body.
Remember to avoid people and places that make you feel insecure about your body.
We hope this article has been of help. Kindly share and leave a comment in the section below.
