Eating disorders are the branch that overarches anorexia, bulimia and binge
eating disorder.
There is nothing that is a clear cause of an eating disorder, which can
make things harder for friends and family to understand. Eating disorders are
serious and people with this disorder need support and care to get the right
help and get well again.
Symptoms to look for if you are concerned someone has an eating disorder
include:
- · Isolation from others.
- · Secret eating and purging through laxatives or vomiting.
- · Spending long amounts of time on the toilet, specifically after meals.
- · Strenuous exercise routine, even when injured or unwell.
- · Severe weight changes.
·
These are just some of the signs someone has an eating
disorder. If you suspect a loved one has an
eating disorder, let them know that you are worried and that you care
about them.
Encourage them to see
their doctor or school counsellor, but don’t force them to (unless they are
significantly underweight and their health it at risk).
Treatment Options
Therapy: therapy can address the emotional needs of your thinking, behaviours,
relationships and environment. You will be speaking with a trained specialist
and they can help you get through this time.
Medication: Although there is no medication that can directly treat an
eating disorder, there are medications that can help with related issues.
You can find other treatment options here.
Where you can find help:
• Healthline:
0800 611 116. (Available 24 hours, 7 days a week and free to callers throughout
New Zealand, including from a mobile phone).
• Lifeline
0800 543 35
• Samaritans
– 0800 726 666 (for callers from the Lower North Island, Christchurch and West
Coast) or 04 473 9739 (for callers from all other regions)
• Ministry of
Health. Online self-test
• Big White
Wall. Free for Auckland DHB residents. A UK-based professionally facilitated
peer support community of people who are experiencing common mental health
problems.
• UK Mental
Health Foundation. Free audio podcasts that can help you relax and improve your
sense of wellbeing.
Thank you to ‘The Mental
Health Foundation’ for their support on this post.
If you would like to
donate to The Mental Health Foundation click here.
Great post! It's important to raise awareness about these things.
ReplyDeleteThanks! It definitely is important.
DeleteThanks for sharing this information. It's good that people are aware of eating disorders and how to spot the ones who might need help.
ReplyDeleteIt is totally important, thanks!
DeleteIt's so important to raise awareness for issue like this!
ReplyDeleteEmma x
So is!
DeleteThis is useful information...it needs to be talked about more
ReplyDeleteIt definitely does need to be talked about more!
DeleteWhat a great post! Supportive and helpful! Thank you for sharing and helping raise awareness about eating disorders.
ReplyDeleteI did find this one a little trickier to write because the other blog posts I have written on mental health I have had personal experiences with although I haven't with eating disorders so I was worried about how helpful it would be!
DeleteAwareness is so important especially for a disease that is so difficult to treat
ReplyDeleteIt definitely is!
DeleteGreat that you make people aware of this by giving a list of signs!
ReplyDeleteIt totally is and often people don't even know what to look for.
DeleteIt is so great that there are so many resources for people with eating disorders. More and more kids are looking at models and not eating right to get skinny.
ReplyDeleteI agree, there needs to be a more diverse range of body types that are seen as 'ideal'.
Delete