Showing posts with label anorexia relapse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label anorexia relapse. Show all posts

Anorexia Relapse: Study Shows Brain Changes A Factor



Persistent brain abnormalities in women with anorexia, even in those recovered (maintaining a healthy weight for a period of a year) may play a vital role in the high relapse rate for this disorder. According to a study at the University of Pittsburg and published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, anorexics show a decreased ability to differentiate between winning and losing, not fully experiencing immediate pleasure and so possibly not appreciating the positive feelings associated with food.

The study consisted of 13 women who had recovered from anorexia, had maintained healthy weight, and had regular menstrual cycles for at least a year, and 13 healthy women. Comparing fMRI
(Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) results of non Anorexics with recovered Anorexics during a guessing game showed reduced function in the anterior ventral striatum and excessive firing of circuits in the caudate.
“The high activity in the caudate probably reflects a heightened attempt to control the test situation. Unlike the normal controls, the anorexic women still thought they could find a way to control the outcome of the psychological challenge, even though this was impossible," said Dr. Angela Wagner.
The game: Guess if a number higher or lower than 5 was represnted by a flashing question mark on a computer screen. Correct answer; win $2. Incorrect answer; forfeit $1

Formerly anorexic women showed much more activity in the caudate regions during the game then the control group, leading Dr. Wagner to suspect that those with a history of anorexia nervosa focused excessively on the consequences of their choices, noting that anorexics are overly anxious and obsess about doing things the right way.

"The investigators believe that the results of this study indicate that healthy women respond to wins and losses by “living in the moment” and moving on to the next task. However, the women with a history of anorexia were unable to do this."

“Our study shows a biological background to the disease of anorexia nervosa,” commented Dr. Wagner. “It is not just a result of environmental influences. In the past, our approach as clinicians was to focus on behavior and on getting patients to eat. The functional studies suggest that perhaps we should also focus on mindset, on finding ways to train these patients to accept change and to experience pleasure. A logical next step also would be to study neurotransmitters, especially dopamine, and try to understand the differences we identified in brain circuits. This might, in turn, point the way to a new approach to pharmacologic therapy for anorexia nervosa.”

One question is whether these brain changes predate and predispose patients to anorexia nervosa or whether the changes are a “scar” in the brain resulting from past malnutrition and weight loss. The researchers are now using fMRI to study brain function in similar challenge situations in women with current anorexia nervosa.
According to another fMRI study at the University of Pittsburg, anorexics' sense of taste differes from non-anorexics. Responses to sucrose (pleasant taste) and water (neutral taste) were measured. Imaging showed the response to both sucrose and water were significantly reduced in the insula and other related brain regions when compared the non-anorexic control group, making it possible that those with anorexia may have difficulty recognizing taste or experiencing the pleasure associated with it. This same region of the brain contributes to the regulation of emotions which may explain why some anorexics don't respond to hunger and avoid what is normally considered pleasurable foods.
"We know that the insula and the connected regions are thought to play an important role in interoceptive information, which determines how the individual senses the physiological condition of the entire body," said Kaye. "Interoception has long been thought to be critical for self-awareness because it provides the link between thinking and mood, and the current body state."

This lack of interoceptive awareness may contribute to other symptoms of anorexia nervosa such as distorted body image, lack of recognition of the symptoms of malnutrition and diminished motivation to change, according to Kaye.


sources:http://www.neuropsychiatryreviews.com/08jan/brainfunction.html
andhttp://www.psychologyandwellbeing.org/pn/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=150 picturesource:http://math.lbl.gov/~deschamp/png/myBrain.png

Relapse Prevention: Eating Disorder Recovery



Recovery is attainable and sustainable but remember, your eating disorder didn’t develop overnight and so it is to be expected that your recovery will likely be the same. Ups and downs, and slips and falls are to be expected. The recovery process is difficult but is worth every effort you put into it. Do not be discouraged if your first attempts do not bring the results you hoped for. Each step forward leads you closer to recovery. Each attempt strengthens the next.

Relapse Prevention

What are some common things you may experience that could have an affect on your recovery?
  • Stress
  • Death of a loved one
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Emotions: Feelings of guilt, shame, anger, abandonment, rejection
  • Fear of change, fear of recovery
  • Feeling powerless
  • Midterms, finals
  • Recent release from inpatient treatment
  • Emotional trauma
  • Discovery of issues in therapy

What can you do to prepare and better arm yourself? Several things.


Know the WARNING SIGNS OF RELAPSE:

  • Daily weighing
  • Letting your weight determine how your day will be
  • Skipping meals or purging
  • Over exercising/feeling a need to exercise more
  • Feeling out of control if not dieting
  • Feeling the need to escape from stress, family, therapy issues, etc
  • Feelings of hopelessness or sadness
  • Perfectionistic thinking returns and/or increases
  • Increasing need to be in control
  • Wearing only loose fitting clothes
  • Obsessive thoughts about food and/or weight
  • Increasing belief you can only be happy if you’re thin
  • Obsessing over your reflection
  • Dishonesty with therapist, friends, family, health care provider, etc
  • Avoiding situations that involve food
  • Feel fat though others assure you that you’re not
  • Feeling guilt after eating
  • Isolating yourself
  • Feeling anxious, worried, tense, and/or restlessness
  • Dwelling on past events
  • Inability to use your support systems
  • Avoiding certain foods because of calorie content
  • Suicidal thoughts

Prepare in Advance. Have a Game Plan in Place.


Make two sided lists:

  • Make a Coping Plan: On the left list the things that you feel may cause you to relapse. On the right list healthier, positive ways of dealing with each situation to help you to keep from resorting to old disordered behaviors in times of crisis. Keep this with you or in an easily accessed location.
  • Change your self-talk: On the left side list the negative names and derogatory statements you make about yourself. On the right list positive alternatives/affirmations. Carry this with you and pull it out when you find yourself being self negative.

Shift Your Focus

  • Be involved. Keep busy. Get involved in hobbies, crafts, and any positive activity that helps keep you busy and focused on things other than just your eating disorder and your recovery.
  • Take time out for yourself each day. Remember that you are important and deserve to take care of yourself.
  • Consider; Journaling. Meditation. Yoga. Art.
  • Do things you; are good at. take pride in. find enjoyable and fun.
  • Take a walk and enjoy the birds, nature, fresh air, and the world around you.
  • Increase your feelings of dignity, value and ability by doing something meaningful each day. Something that is a positive for the world or another human being, even if it’s only in a small way. The smallest of things can have a huge impact.

Reach Out!

Make a list of names and numbers of those you can contact for help when you find yourself facing a difficult experience or disordered thoughts/behaviors (including your therapist/ ED coordinator). Reaching out can be a difficult thing for some to do but do it. Each time you do, the next time will be easier.

Be Kind to Yourself

It’s not always possible to avoid slips or relapse. Do not let this be a reason to stop trying. There is no shame in slipping or relapsing. There is no shame in having an eating disorder. Give yourself credit for each step you take, each change you make, no matter how small for each brings you closer to recovery. Extend to yourself the same kindness, understanding, support, and patience that you would to another going through what you are.


Plan each day around your recovery

Let it be that important. Recovery is a process and a learning experience. Keep your focus on what is important. Keep your self-talk positive. Believe in yourself. Believe in your recovery. It takes a lot of hard work but Recovery is attainable and sustainable.


See Also: Using Affirmations: Eating Disorder Recovery
sidebar: for Resources, Tools, Inspirational Recovery Quotes and Quotes Of The Week


Sources: http://www.healthyplace.com http://www.mental-health-matters.com http://www.mirror-mirror.org http://www.anorexiabulimiahelp.com/ http://edsupport.podbean.com picture source: freephotos.se