Eating disorders: Chew on this

According to various studies and related reports, for a body image conscious young population, the average age of onset for anorexia and bulimia is 13 years.

The incidence of eating disorders though less in India, is said to prevail primarily among the upper middle class and upper class girls. These eating disorders are compulsive food rituals that result in various abnormalities. While anorexia is characterised by refusing to eat, bulimia involves binging and then purging due to guilt. Explains Dr Lata Hemchand, clinical psychologist and professor at Richmond Fellowship College, “Eating disorders are associated with mood disorders. Due to a combination of depression and an exaggerated body perception, the appetite drops resulting in disorders.”

Individuals suffering from eating disorders are always occupied with thoughts of food, and resort to food as a comfort factor when they feel neglected and ignored. These psychological and behavioural conditions need a strong and continuous intervention. Sheela Krishnaswamy, nutritionist and founder of NICHE, a nutrition consulting firm says, “These are not just nutritional or psychological problems. They can lead to severe deficiencies like irregular menstrual cycle, anaemia, hair loss, dull skin, deteriorating bone health, reduction in bone density and muscle mass.”  These disorders need constant care and counselling that help restore normalcy. However, the question really is, is it possible to regain normalcy?

Anorexic and bulimic individuals are always in denial and to recognise the disorder on the onset is difficult. Dr Yesheshwini Kamaraju, consultant psychiatrist, says, “It is due to a lack of awareness regarding these disorders that most cases often go neglected in the initial stages.” Especially in the case of youngsters, since large segments of them are in denial, it is difficult to bring them back to normalcy immediately. The key to bring them back to a healthy lifestyle is by bringing an attitude change. As Sheela points out, “It is the blend of a medication, counselling and nutrition that helps the individual restore normalcy.”

The most important aspect that helps restore normalcy is not treatment. It is the follow up, point out experts.

These sessions are the toughest part, as the relapse rates are high among patients. They are forthcoming the first few times, but as the sessions progress, denial sets in again resulting in a fall out. Dr Hemchand, speaking of the right treatment, says, “The best way to fight these disorders is though cognitive behaviour therapy. It involves teaching the patient to challenge their thoughts and arrive at a logical thinking process.”

Treating patients of eating disorders is a long drawn procedure. Dr Kamaraju, says, “Counselling is a continuous and a stepwise process. The counsellor should take lead from the patient for a productive session. It is not just the counsellor’s task. Relapse can be avoided only if the patient is also responsible, puts in effort and follows up regularly.”

However it does not end at attaining a certain amount of normalcy. In order to maintain a good and healthy lifestyle, it is essential to involve family therapies where family members of the patient are taught to deal with stress, conflicts and domestic problems in a different manner that helps the individual recoup faster. Psychologists around the world agree that, creating insight, teaching healthy coping styles, relationship counselling and awareness about constructive mechanisms to deal with stress are imperative for improvement.