| According to the National Institutes of | | | | |
| Health, about 0.5 to 3.7 percent of girls and | | | | While concerned parents can't force children |
| women will develop anorexia nervosa over a | | | | with anorexia to stop, it is imperative to |
| lifetime, and around 1.1 to 4.2 percent will | | | | support them in their struggles. More and |
| develop bulimia nervosa. Nearly 0.5 percent | | | | more, doctors and patients advocate |
| of anorexics die each year from the illness, | | | | family-centered therapy-letting parents back |
| making it one of the top psychiatric | | | | into the treatment process. For decades, |
| illnesses to cause death. | | | | parents were seen as an anorexic's biggest |
| | | | problem and were even blamed as the cause for |
| Those suffering from anorexia are extremely | | | | the disorder. Research has shown that while |
| fearful of gaining extra weight and may | | | | parents can influence a child's eating |
| exhibit negative behaviors and actions | | | | disorder, they are typically not the cause. |
| leading to severe weight loss. Pounds are | | | | Known as the Maudsley approach (after the |
| lost by over-exercising and restricting | | | | London-based hospital it was developed in), |
| calorie intake. Anorexics view their bodies | | | | family-centered therapy focuses on helping |
| in a distorted way. When they look in the | | | | parents become a support system. Food is the |
| mirror, despite being dangerously thin, they | | | | "medicine" to treat the illness, and doctors |
| see themselves as too heavy. For concerned | | | | coach parents and their child through meals |
| parents who have children with anorexia, | | | | and appropriate behavior in a clinical |
| there is an array of assistance available | | | | setting. After a few tries, families are then |
| from programs at hospitals, treatment | | | | sent home to continue the treatment. Patients |
| centers, and clinics specializing in eating | | | | benefit from the love and support afamily |
| disorder recovery. | | | | network provides. |
| | | | |
| One of the problems in overcoming anorexia is | | | | Regardless of the approach settled on, for |
| that those with the illness don't usually see | | | | any treatment program to be successful, those |
| it that way-that don't think they are sick. | | | | with anorexia need the continued support of |
| If somebody with anorexia is in immediate | | | | family and friends. Following is advice for |
| danger, they might need emergency care for | | | | parents, courtesy of The National Eating |
| malnourishment, including dehydration and | | | | Disorders Foundation ( |
| electrolyte imbalances. | | | | |
| | | | Educate yourself about eating disorders. Read |
| Long-term treatment entails a team effort | | | | as much material as you can in magazines, |
| with professionals trained in eating | | | | books, articles, and brochures. |
| disorders, including dieticians, mental | | | | |
| health professionals, medical doctors, and | | | | Understand the differences between facts and |
| treatment centers: | | | | myths about weight, nutrition, and exercise. |
| | | | Being armed with facts will help you reason |
| - Dieticians. A dietitian will create meal | | | | with your child about the misconceptions they |
| plans and monitor calorie intake to implement | | | | adhere to. |
| a healthy diet. However, there's more to | | | | |
| recovering from an eating disorder than | | | | Be truthful. Don't be afraid to voice your |
| changing one's eating habits. | | | | concerns to a child who struggles with eating |
| | | | or body image issues. Pretending the problem |
| - Mental Health Professionals. People who | | | | doesn't exist does not help. |
| suffer from anorexia suffer emotionally and | | | | |
| mentally as well. They need change the way | | | | Be loving, yet firm. Loving your means you |
| they view themselves to boost their | | | | hold them accountable for their actions and |
| self-esteem, and their mood can benefit from | | | | the consequences of those actions. It does |
| carefully prescribed and monitored | | | | not mean you let them manipulate you. Do not |
| antidepressants. Psychiatric treatment | | | | make rules or promise you can't or don't |
| sessions typically last at least a year and | | | | intend to uphold, such as "I won't tell |
| take place one-on-one, with family, or with | | | | anyone" or "If you do this anymore I won't |
| other people with eating disorders. | | | | ever speak with you." |
| | | | |
| - Medical Providers. While those still in the | | | | Sincerely compliment your child on their |
| early stages (less than 6 months) typically | | | | terrific personality, accomplishments, or |
| avoid hospital stays, for people with | | | | contributions. Reinforce the idea that beauty |
| advanced cases, checking into a unit for | | | | is not just skin deep. |
| anorexia or bulimia may be required. People | | | | |
| with anorexia need constant monitoring of | | | | Be a positive example in regard to your own |
| electrolytes, hydration levels, and vital | | | | eating, exercising, and self-acceptance. |
| signs. A doctor should be involved in the | | | | |
| on-going medical treatment. | | | | Know when to share. It can be hard to know if |
| | | | you should share your concerns with somebody |
| - Treatment Centers. Clinics across the | | | | else, if at all. By addressing issues with |
| country provide a live-in environment for | | | | eating or body image early, you stand a |
| children suffering from anorexia. These | | | | better chance of working through the issues |
| centers provide a treatment team-dieticians, | | | | with your child. Don't wait to seek help |
| psychiatrists, and doctors-under one roof. | | | | until your child is extremely sick. They need |
| Such programs entail an extended stay. | | | | as much support from you as possible. |