Anorexia and Bulimia.

Therapy to help Anorexia and Bulimia sufferers...

The number of people in the world suffering with eating disorders continues to grow; the Eating Disorders Association estimates that around 165,000 people have an eating disorder in the UK alone, although some experts say that the real figure could actually be much higher. Eating Disorders are responsible for the highest number of deaths from psychiatric illness, with up to 10% of sufferers dying as a result. No-one is really sure just what causes them, although there are many theories. An eating disorder tends to develop in late teens and many believe it could be connected with the physical and emotional changes that go along with puberty.

Some individuals who develop eating disorders can also be depressed or anxious. Experts also think that many may have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). There is also evidence that eating disorders may run in families.

Whatever the cause, the effects can be damaging, devastating and occasionally life threatening. People who weigh at least 15% less than the normal weight for their height may not have enough body fat to keep their organs and other body parts healthy.

A person with anorexia can do damage to the heart, liver, and kidneys by not eating enough. The body slows everything down as if it were starving, causing a drop in blood pressure, pulse, and breathing rate. For girls, this starvation mode may mean they stop getting their periods.

People with bulimia often have constant stomach pain. Like girls with anorexia, girls with bulimia may stop getting their periods. And, most dangerous of all, the constant purging can lead to a loss of the mineral potassium, which can contribute to heart problems and even death.

Additionally there is the emotional pain inflicted on those suffering with an eating disorder, which often has a devastating effect on their families and close friends.

Treatment for Eating Disorders

Fortunately, people with eating disorders can and do get well, often returning to strong, confident and healthy individuals relatively quickly. Because anorexia and bulimia involve the mind and body, our treatment should always be undertaken after consultation with your doctor or medical practitioner.

With anorexia and bulimia one important factor is how quickly the disorder is recognised and addressed, - like all bad habits, unhealthy eating patterns become harder to break the longer a person takes part in them.

Our treatment is focused to always ensure that we initially address the cause rather than the symptom of the problem: this may sound like a generalisation, but it is often a common mistake made in treatment. People are not born with an eating disorder; something has happened in their lives at one level or another that has played a major role in its establishment. Often, once the cause is uncovered and understood, the improvement in the client can be dramatic. Where appropriate we involve dietitians or nutritionists in the treatment plan.

The basis of psychological treatment is in forming a trusting relationship with the therapist and addressing pertinent issues to the person such as the thoughts, feelings and behaviours that lead to the development and maintenance of the eating disorder. This may include issues such as anxiety, depression, poor self-esteem and self-confidence, or difficulties with interpersonal relationships.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, CBT, has become a popular form of treatment for people experiencing eating disorders. Based on the premise that thoughts and feelings are inter-dependent, CBT encourages people to re-examine and challenge existing thought and behaviour patterns. Challenging distorted or unhelpful ways of thinking can allow healthier behaviours to emerge. Our treatment plan is mainly CBT, but occasionally we may also use some Hypnotherapy and NLP where appropriate.

Rachel, pictured left, suffered from bulimia for almost 15 years. She is now recovered after following a course of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy at the Elite Clinic. Click here to read about her personal experience in detail, in Rachel's own words. Rachel was also interviewed recently on Spain's popular radio station, OCI.

So how can you tell if a person has anorexia or bulimia?

A sufferer DOES NOT need to appear underweight or even "average" to suffer ANY of these signs and symptoms. Many men and women with Eating Disorders appear NOT to be underweight... it does not mean they suffer less or are in any less danger.

If you or someone you know fit the patterns described below, you should seek help.

• Dramatic weight loss in a relatively short period of time.
• Wearing big or baggy clothes, or dressing in layers to hide body shape and/or weight loss.
• Obsession with weight and complaining of weight problems (even if "average" weight, or thin).
• Obsession with calories and fat content of foods.
• Obsession with continuous exercise.
• Frequent trips to the bathroom immediately following meals (sometimes accompanied with water running in the bathroom for a long period of time to hide the sound of vomiting).
• Visible food restriction and self-starvation.
• Visible bingeing and/or purging.
• Use or hiding use of diet pills, laxatives, ipecac syrup (can cause immediate death!) or enemas.
• Isolation. Fear of eating around and with others.
• Unusual food rituals, such as shifting the food around on the plate to look eaten, cutting food into tiny pieces, making sure the fork avoids contact with the lips (using teeth to scrap food off the fork or spoon), chewing food and spitting it out but not swallowing, dropping food into napkin on lap to throw away later.
• Hiding food in strange places (wardrobes, cupboards, suitcases, under the bed) to avoid eating (Anorexia), or to eat at a later time (Bulimia).
• Flushing uneaten food down the toilet (can cause sewage problems).
• Vague or secretive eating patterns.
• Keeping a "food diary", or lists which consist of food and/or behaviours (ie., purging, restricting calories consumed, exercise, etc.)
• Pre-occupied thoughts of food, weight and cooking.
• Visiting websites which promote unhealthy ways to lose weight.
• Reading books about weight loss and eating disorders.
• Self-defeating statements after food consumption.
• Hair loss. Pale or "grey" appearance to the skin.
• Dizziness and headaches.
• Frequent sore throats and/or swollen glands.
• Low self-esteem. Feeling worthless. Often putting themselves down and complaining of being "too stupid" or "too fat" and saying they don't matter. Need for acceptance and approval from others.
• Complaints of often feeling cold.
• Low blood pressure.
• Loss of menstrual cycle.
• Constipation or incontinence.
• Bruising or calluses on knuckles; bloodshot or bleeding in the eyes; light bruising under the eyes and on the cheeks.
• Perfectionistic personality.
• Loss of sexual desire or promiscuous relations.
• Mood swings. Depression. Fatigue.
• Insomnia. Poor sleeping habits

Click here for a list of relevant airlines flying into Malaga, and also a few hotel options. We look forward to meeting you.

In addition to seeing clients at the clinic, Martin and Marion undertake private, home visits, both in Spain and internationally, subject to availability and negotiation.

To arrange a free, initial consultation, or for further information, please contact Elite on 951 31 15 91, or click here to e-mail us.