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