Around the world, approximately 70 million people suffer from eating disorders. This problem is further exacerbated by the pandemic and social media. We have collected advice from a psychotherapist on how to support a person with anorexia in their fight for health.
People who suffer from anorexia often have distorted image of one's own body. They believe that they still weigh too much, even if their weight indicates that they are underweight. They are morbidly focused on keeping their body weight as low as possible. They limit their food, go on diets, and exercise a lot.
This disease has already been described 300 years ago , and the earliest memories of it date back to antiquity. Despite the development of medicine, its causes still cannot be clearly determined. It is known that it is influenced by biological, social and personality factors 1 .
Anorexia has highest mortality rate among all eating disorders. Most cases appear before the age of 6-8. years of age and this age is constantly decreasing. From the data The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders shows that approx. 1% of women, both in Poland and in the world, may suffer from anorexia. This problem affects women much more often than men 2 .
Specialists emphasize that during the coronavirus pandemic the number of children and adolescents has increased significantly (but also older people) struggling with eating disorders. The reason is stress related to pandemic restrictions, accompanying anxiety and isolation. For example in the UK the number of referrals to hospitals increased by 20%. due to eating disorders. The waiting time for treatment, which often saves the lives of such people, has extended to several months 3 .
The pandemic has accelerated the destructive processes that we have been observing for about a decade. It is easy to realize that it has a huge impact on shaping the image of an ideal (slim) figure have the media, especially the Internet and social media 4 . According to researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, the more we use social media, the more we use social media. In a group of volunteers who spent a large part of their day on social media, there was a 2.2 times greater risk of anorexia , bulimia and disorders related to distorted self-perception 5 .
“ Anorexia always starts from weight loss . Of course, most people lose weight, but only a certain percentage of people develop an eating disorder called anorexia," he says. psychologist and psychotherapist Katarzyna Kucewicz , owner of the Inner Garden office. He lists the first visible symptoms: weight loss, forcing yourself to exercise intensively, very restrictive eating habits, which gradually turn into starvation. “Anorexia begins first in the sphere of our psyche. It precedes her lack of acceptance of one's body and aversion to it. The reasons for this may be different - the fact that the body is changing, maturing or aging. The fear of gaining weight is often combined with the belief that only thin people matter," explains the therapist.
“Anorexia is a disease in which a person's life is at risk. Therefore, support means primarily responding to crisis situations and not downplaying visible signs of poor health ," says Katarzyna Kucewicz. It is worth encouraging the person to seek help from a psychologist or psychiatrist, and you can also help them arrange an appointment.
“If we live with her, let's make sure the daily schedule was planned and repetitive. Always eat meals at the same time, at the kitchen table, e.g. with the whole family. Family rituals are very important in recovering from the disease. It is worth distracting the sick person from the topic of eating and losing weight, for example by engaging him in a hobby other than exercise, organizing social meetings with other people or relaxing visits to the spa, a massage or simply going for a walk," the therapist adds. He also emphasizes that communication with a person suffering from anorexia may be possible difficult and confusing.
“It is worth being consistent and not giving in to manipulation attempts. Sick at all costs he will try not to eat. It is not his "bad" character, but the nature of the disease, so it is not worth getting angry, just stick to rigid rules," he says. What? For example this one that We eat all meals together and until the end .
Talking to a person with anorexia is generally good avoid the topic of weight loss and commenting on appearance. Instead, focus on expressing your concerns and (above all!) listen, give space for honest conversation , show support, love and full acceptance of the patient. “And emphasize like a mantra that it is not his person that we are denying, but the disease,” concludes the psychotherapist.
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Napisała: Anna Stachowiak
Journalist, editor. Mainly interested in social and health issues. Publishes in the weekly " Przegląd ". A lover of active recreation, a healthy lifestyle, testing theories in practice and delving deeper into the topic. Privately, she is the mother of a rebellious 3-year-old and a yoga adept.
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