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Many of us want to fix ”that one thing” about our body or behaviour but when you are preoccupied with being thin and that takes over your diet, the way you think as well as life, it really is a sign of an eating disorder.  When anorexia nervosa takes over one’s life, the desire to be thinner and thinner becomes more important than anything else.

Anorexia affects women and men of all ages, it’s ought to be taken seriously.  It is an eating disorder where the person refuses to maintain healthy body weight, has a distorted body image and has an intense fear of gaining weight.

Some noticeable health symptoms of anorexia: dry skin and hair, gaunt appearance and blueish finger tips.  Some of the long term affects are not so visible: the skeletal system is damaged, infertility, osteopenia and osteoporosis is also common among the sufferers of anorexia.  One shouldn’t forget one of the most important organs – heart.  One of the most common causes of death in anorexics is heart disease.

It means you’re constantly living in fear and lies.

• You lie about having had a meal already or just pretend as if you’re eating.
• ”Rituals”  (e.g. chewing food and spitting it out, using specific cutlery and plate or cutting food ”just the right way”) .
• Denying that you have a problem with weight.  You will do everything to conceal it – wear baggy clothes or drink loads of water before being weighed.
• Possibly throwing up after eating.
• Exercising too much.
• You are obsessed with calories, fat grams and nutrition.
• You feel fat despite the fact that you are definitely not.  You judge yourself too harshly on your appearance.

What causes anorexia?

We wish we could provide you with a simple answer but it is a complex condition which arises from a combination of factors.

• People with anorexia tend to be perfectionists.
• There’s cultural pressure to be thin. We see this is magazines, TV series and films. Sadly, even practising something beautiful such as gymnastics and ballet could lead to anorexia due to the high expectation to fit a certain body criteria.
• Low self-esteem, troubled relationships, traumatising life events can all be contributors to anorexia nervosa.

Recognising that you need help is important.  Speaking to a close friend or a family member can be the first step.  You will need to see a doctor to know the true extent of your eating disorder.

Hypnotherapy for anorexia is incredibly helpful as a part of the whole recovery process.  It is a serious disorder that requires GP’s help, nutritionist’s guidance and the attendance of a chosen preference of therapy  (CBT, psychotherapist or hypnotherapist).

Hypnotherapy has been proved as a faster way of understanding the underlying issues.  We have covered what would happen in a Hypnotherapy session on or Bulimia post here – https://cumberlandhypnotherapy.co.uk/break-cycle-fight-bulimia/

Change is more than possible.

Warmest regards

The Cumberland Hypnotherapy Team