No More Eating Disorders: I Can't Go Away to Treatment, I Have Children

Overview

An eating disorder is a compulsion to eat, or avoid eating, that negatively affects both one's physical and mental health. Eating disorders are all encompassing. They affect every part of the person's life. According to the authors of Surviving an Eating Disorder, "feelings about work, school, relationships, day-to-day activities and one's experience of emotional well being are determined by what has or has not been eaten or by a number on a scale." Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are the most common eating disorders generally recognized by medical classification schemes, with a significant diagnostic overlap between the two. Together, they affect an estimated 5-7% of females in the United States during their lifetimes. There is a third type of eating disorder currently being investigated and defined - Binge Eating Disorder. This is a chronic condition that occurs when an individual consumes huge amounts of food during a brief period of time and feels totally out of control and unable to stop their eating. It can lead to serious health conditions such as morbid obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.

Friday, June 26, 2009

I Can't Go Away to Treatment, I Have Children

One of the common reasons I hear for why a women can't go to treatment is they have children and they say I can't leave my family. This doesn't apply just too single head of household women this also applies to women who have very supportive husbands, partners, family and friends. After years of research and collecting data women feel guilt and shame that they failed and can't do everything. The idea that they have failed is foremost.

The most liberating experience anyone can have is to admit defeat. Only by admitting to themselves that a problem exists and they need help can they grow and move forward. The courage and strength it takes to make this decision is instrumentally in the process of recovery. Recovery from anything alcoholism, drug abuse, codependence, sex addiction, relationships and eating disorders requires awareness and the desire to change the behavior.

Children are like sponges they watch everything the adults in their life do and they emulate the behavior, words and actions. As a role model seeing a young child starve themselves or act out in anger is very upsetting yet the adult who has taught this behavior can change the course by changing themselves. Going to an inpatient treatment program is the very foundation required to change old behaviors into new healthy behaviors that change lives.

Using the excuse I can't leave my children is just that an excuse, if she is honest with herself, she knows that even though physically present the mind is elsewhere. The ways and means to obtain more of whatever substance or behavior he or she is using to not feel takes priority and the children suffer. In order to help her children she needs to commit to inpatient treatment program and get a new lease on life.

Autor: Joanna Painton

Joanna works for the Women's Behavioral Program. She has overcome adversities and shares her hope with anyone she comes in contact with. Joanna is a known published author in the Bariatric and Weight Loss Community, she has spent the last 13 years helping to inspire and motivate people on the value of the body, mind and spirit connection.

Please feel free to contact Joanna at http://www.womenstreatmentprogram.com or by e-mail joanna@recoveryconnection.org.

Added: June 26, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/