This is the website for Dr Shelagh Wright - Systemic and Family Psychotherapist
| EATING DISORDERS | |
• What Are Eating Disorders?
The term ‘eating disorder' actually refers to several different conditions that have in common a disturbance in attitude toward food, weight, or shape. There are many different symptoms, varying in severity and impact on psychological and physical; functioning. The most familiar of the eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa, although most people suffer from partial syndromes.
It is difficult to gauge recovery from these illnesses but good indicators would include; maintenance of a healthy weight, having less concern around food and weight and an improvement in mood and relationships. There is a strong risk for relapse and out patient treatment needs to be thought of as a long term process over several years. Early and appropriate treatment is the key to full recovery.
• Why Does Someone Develop An Eating Disorder?
People often think an eating disorder is nothing more than a ‘silly fad'. Indeed anorexia nervosa can be seen to be like an extreme form of dieting which is self imposed and easily reversible. It is not surprising that many people cannot understand later why the situation becomes out of control. Unlike ‘normal' dieters who stop once they have lost weight, people with anorexia nervosa go on and on. They often believe that all their problems will disappear; or that they will feel happier; or that their friends will like them better; if only they can lose a little more weight. The result is a downward spiral in terms of weight loss and physical health, and a growing distortion in the way they see themselves and feel about themselves. An eating disorder offers the sufferer a solution at least for a while to their problems.
• Predisposing Factors
Biological * Differences in blood flow from the left to right side of the brain * Delayed gastric emptying * Zinc levels |
Personality * Perfectionistic (AN) * Chaotic (BN) * Low self esteem * Eager to please |
Genetic * MZ twins 56%heritability * DZ twins & first relative 5%heritability |
Against a back drop of cultural and media pressure to be thin
This makes a person vulnerable to the development of an eating disorder
* Puberty * Bullying * Abuse * Parental conflict |
* Change in school
* Family conflict * Friendship difficulties * Death of a pet |
* Death of a loved one
* Moving house * Divorce * Romantic relationship issues |
• Perpetuating Factors
Precipitating factors continuing
The response to the illness behaviours that does not challenge the behaviour
• Anorexia Nervosa
Physical Signs * Severe weight loss * Periods stopping (Amenorrhoea) * Difficulty sleeping * Dizziness * Stomach pains * Constipation * Poor circulation & feeling cold
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Behavioural Signs* Wanting to be left alone * Wearing big baggy clothes * Excessive/compulsive exercising * Lying about eating meals * Denying there is a problem * Tendency towards perfectionism * Social isolation * Ritualistic eating behaviours
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Psychological Signs* Intense fear of gaining weight * Low self-esteem * Depressed * Feeling emotional * Obsession with dieting * Mood swings * Distorted perception with body weight and size * Feeling of fatness even after weight loss * Pre occupation with food, calories and/or cooking * A need to control their surrounding |
• Bulimia Nervosa
Physical signs* Sore throat / swollen glands * Mouth infection * Irregular periods * Dry or poor skin * Dental problems * Reddened fingers from vomiting |
Behavioural Signs * Eating large quantities of food * Frequent use of the bathroom after meals (and being sick) * Being secretive about eating * Difficulty sleeping
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Psychological Signs * Feeling depressed and out of control * Mood swings * Emotional behaviour
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• Binge Eating / Compulsive Eating
Physical signs* Weight gain |
Behavioural signs* Eating large quantities of food * Eating inappropriate food * Being secretive
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Psychological signs* Feeling depressed and out of control * Mood swings * Distress about food intake and body size, or may not care at all |
• Recovery in Three Stages
Recovery from anorexia nervosa can be thought of as being mapped out in three stages.
* The first stage is the presence of the eating disorder; and the symptoms that create a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa
* The second stage is typified by an increase in ‘assertiveness'; where the sufferer will begin to vent some of their negative feelings. This can however appear to show itself in the form of rudeness or obnoxiousness directed towards carers and especially parents. This may appear as deterioration, as your child becomes uncharacteristically unpleasant. However this should be treated as a good sign and in most cases be welcomed as a positive transition.
* The third stage is; the development of expression of feelings which are more constructive; and a more positive manner, having found alternative coping mechanisms to deal with their thoughts and emotions.
I hope that you find what you are looking for but if for some reason you don't then please contact me and I will be happy to help. I aim to respond to all inquiries within 1 working day of receiving them.
Contact me: info@drshelagh.com