POST MEALTIMES WITH ANOREXIA
The cause of anorexia:
The cause of eating disorders is always going to remain unknown. You will never put your finger on the route cause if the illness. You can interpret possible reasons for the individual falling victim to the illness, but one reason will never be discovered. However, amongst other factors, eating disorders have been proven to develop as a coping mechanism. Although anorexia is an unhealthy and, in some ways, addictive mechanism, it helps bring comfort and certainty to the individual and can be described as a "Comfort blanket". Thus, making it hard to leave behind.
Early detection and intervention:
Early detection and intervention of anorexia is vital in the recovery process. The most common first step is the refeeding process. Anorexia causes the brain to starve because of malnutrition. This effect leads to intrusive anorexic thoughts to become worse alongside the individual deteriorating mentally and physically. Adequate nourishment allows the body to repair and the brain to function better. Although nutrition won't eliminate the underlying issues which underpin anorexia, it helps the individual fight the thoughts and thus increases rational thinking. Therefore, refeeding often comes before or alongside psychological input to ensure proper brain function.
The refeeding process:
The refeeding process amongst other phases, often appears to be the most challenging stage in tackling anorexia. It most often causes unpleasant feelings to reappear that have been numbed because of starvation and anorexic cognitions. It is crucial to stabilise an individual’s mental wellbeing and ability to cope with an eating disorder until it becomes quieter. The increase in nutritional intake gives your body more energy to fight back against your brain. This often causes the anorexia to become stronger and louder. But remember, things only scream when they're dying. Challenging anorexia through eating is the only way through killing the illness. The process is often characterised by unwanted bodily sensations which cause discomfort and reliance on anorexia to numb feelings. But ignoring them is the only way that they will quieten down.
Feelings at mealtimes:
Although the problems that arise due to eating, it's important not to dismiss them completely, but in the meantime distraction is key. Taking your brain away from the guilt, fear, upset, sadness that your feeling will make the process just a tiny bit more manageable.
During these challenging times, emotions will run high. Anger, frustration, resentment, upset, crying, withdrawal, the list of emotions is endless and different for absolutely everybody. But none the less, the only way out is through. The amount of distraction techniques and activity are endless! Distractions are so personal to you! You need to find what works and carry out the ones that don't give into what anorexia wants.
Abs TIP!- “The most common one is watching Tv or listening to music. Watching Tv is both perfect to get together with friends and family, to relax, or to have on in the background while doing something else so you can't hear your own thoughts. Watch something that captivates you, that grabs your attention but also brings you comfort”