Anorexia Presentation

Slide 1

• Anorexia stems largely from the perception of the sufferer that they will not be happy until they lose the weight. It is a condition where individuals feel that their worth is measure by how they look. o This means that overcoming anorexia comes from understanding that weight loss is not the key to success, confidence and happiness o It is about individuals discovering who they are beyond their body image, eating habits and weight.

Slide 2

• Exact treatments may vary from patient to patient o Generally the treatment process will follow this structure

1. Ask for help from loved ones or professional

2. Find a specialist

3. Address health problems o Some individuals may be chronically malnourished and below 15% of their normal body weight and hence may require hospitalization

4. Long term treatment plan o Long term treatment plans are necessary as eating disorders are not just about symptoms and destructive eating habits o At the heart of the disorder is emotional problems and a struggle to cope with stress, anxiety, fear, sadness and other uncomfortable emotions.

Slide 3

• There are a number of different treatment option including o Cognitive behavioural therapy o Family therapy o Group therapy o Medication o Residential treatment facilities o Self help

Slide 4

• But no matter what treatment option is chosen, it is also important that: o A good support system is established during treatment and maintained following treatment. o Education about nutrition and healthy weight management is conducted to ensure that individuals adapt healthy eating procedures following treatment o These measures are important as individuals can easily relapse or fall into bad habits again.

Slide 4

Cognitive behavioural therapy

• Most common treatment procedure for anorexia

• It has a high success rate as it targets the unhealthy eating behaviours and the negative thoughts and triggers at the root of them. o By understanding the triggers for unhealthy eating they can help patients cope with these triggers in different manners. o They also help patients understand how food is being used to overcome emotions

Slide 5

• Cognitive behavioural therapy may uncover that o negative self image is created by specific traumatic events or memories within individual’s developmental stages of childhood

 During these childhood stages and during treatment parents may inadvertently play a role in fostering the negative self image of the individual.

 Cognitive behavioural therapy can be important here as they can uncover familial pressures to be thin, can educate the family and help the family ensure the patient’s compliance with the treatment measures

Slide 6

• In summary cognitive behavioural therapy helps individuals become aware of emotional problems and how to combat them. o They help make changes through specific behavioural interventions like promoting healthy eating by goal setting and rewards.