Recovery Quote Of The Week: May 13th, 2009

"The time is always right to do what is right."
Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Recovery Quote Of The Week: May 4th, 2009

"Do not let your fire got out, spark by irreplaceable spark, in the hopeless swamps of the approximate, the not-quite, the not-yet, the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish, in lonely frustration of the life you deserved, but have never been able to reach. Check your road and the nature of your battle."
Ayn Rand

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Recovering From An Eating Disorder: In Their Own Words

"Recovery One Day At A Time." Another wonderful video by Holdingon.
See more of her videos here.



source:Youtube.com

Eating Disorders: Bulimia Nervosa

Key characteristics of Bulimia include: “ binging (the intake of large quantities of food) and purging (elimination of the food through artificial means such as forced vomiting, excessive use of laxatives, periods of fasting, or excessive exercise),” and is most common in young adult and adolescent women. Common in those with bulimia is a feeling of loss of control and guilt over their eating. In contrast to those suffering from Anorexia, Bulimics are often of normal weight.

According to emedicinehealth.com the exact cause of bulimia is not known though a number of factors may influence its development:

* “Studies have shown eating disorders occur more frequently in relatives of people with bulimia than in others. This frequency appears to be related to genetics, but family influences may also be important.”

* “Researchers have suggested that altered levels of the chemical serotonin in the brain play a role. Serotonin levels can be related to the development of clinical depression.”

* “Experts agree that cultural factors are very important in the development of eating disorders. Modern society's emphasis on health, in particular thinness, can greatly influence those who seek the acceptance of others.”

Side Effects as listed on Bulimiasideeffects.com
Physical Side Effects:

• Esophageal problems
• Vocal chord damage
• Stomach ulcers
• Osteoporosis
• Hair loss
• Digestive problems
• Decreased body temperature
• Irregular heart beat
• Elimination problems
• Dental Damage
• Organ damage
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Enlarged salivary glands
• Dry skin
• Decreased bone density
• Menstrual dysfunction
• Hormone irregularities
• Insomnia
• Low red blood cell levels
• Weak muscles
• Immune system damage

Psychological:

• Out of control feelings
• Mood changes
• Avoidance of others
• Constantly thinking about food
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Unable to eat with others
• Poor body-image

Other bulimia side effects include difficulty conceiving a child, a larger risk of miscarriage and premature birth after conception. Some theorize that nature requires humans and animals to be healthy themselves in order to continue to propagate a species that is capable of surviving—theory of natural selection. Bulimia side effects damage a woman’s body which can physically inhibit her from having healthy children in the future.

Laxative and Diuretic Use:

It is estimated that one third of people struggling with bulimia use laxatives, and roughly 10% take diuretics. Various effects include:

Laxative Abuse:

• Chronic intestinal inflammation
• Chronic constipation
• Irregular bowel function
• Systemic toxicity

Diuretic abuse:

• Kidney damage
• Body fluid stagnation
• Blood pressure complication

Bulimics are more likely to admit that a problem exists “when interviewed by an understanding professional.” An evaluation should be done to determine if a serious medical complication exists, requiring immediate care.

Symptoms that require urgent treatment:

* “Severe weakness or abdominal pain should be evaluated as soon as possible.

* Vomiting blood could indicate a tear of the esophagus or stomach.

* Many people with bulimia also suffer from clinical depression, and any behavior or statements from someone that suggests that the person may be contemplating suicide is reason to bring that person in for evaluation at once.”Bulimics may be malnourished which can cause anemia, poor healing, and increase the risk of periodontal disease."Laboratory tests may show low blood sugar, electrolyte changes, low potassium (caused by laxative use). These, and other side effects, can cause “life-threatening disturbances of the heart rhythm.”

More on Oral Effects
"The dental changes seen in many people with bulimia are often recognizable," according to Frequent vomiting may cause your salivary glands to swell and the tissues of your mouth and tongue to become dry, red and sore. People with bulimia may have chronic sore throat and small hemorrhages under the skin of the palate.
Frequent vomiting can erode your tooth enamel, especially on the tongue side of the upper front teeth. This sharply increases the risk for decay in these areas and can make these teeth sensitive to temperature. Severe erosion can lead to changes in your bite, or the way your upper and lower teeth come together. Your back teeth can be reduced in size and some teeth can even be lost eventually."
The earlier treatment is sought, the greater the chance of recovery. Treatment methods for bulimia include counseling, behavioral therapy, group therapy, family therapy, antidepressant medication, medical monitoring by a physician, and hospitalization in the case of physical complications.

“Most eating disorders are not about food but about self-esteem and self-perception. Therapy is most effective when it concentrates on the issues that cause the behavior, rather than on the behavior itself.”

For More Information: Warning Signs of Bulimia
Laxative Abuse For Weight Loss
Diuretic Abuse For Weight Loss

*See sidebar menus for Self-Assessment Tests, Tools, Hotlines, Resources, and Recovery.
Sources:
http://allpsych.com/disorders/eating/bulimia.html
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/bulimia/article_em.htm
DSM-IV-TR
http://www.bulimiasideeffects.com/
http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/OC/Information/OralHealthBasics/MedCondOralHealth/AnorexiaBulimia/Bulimia.cvsp

Conversations With Claudia: The Voice Of An Eating Disorder

I was very fortunate to come across the blog of Angela Minard recently: Here and Now ~*~4 Angel~*~, "Poetry and thoughts on my journey toward healing and unlocking the silence within. Words are magic. Words have the power to heal, so find your voice, and fly!"Angela's blog feels like a comforting embrace with it's music, art, poetry, and honest, open disclosure about her recovery. She describes herself as "Living in the here and now. I can't change the past, but I am in control of my destiny. I'm taking back my life, taking back my power, and learning to spread my wings and take flight."

Her journey is so inspiring and well worth reading for yourself.

Conversations With Claudia/How Writing Has Saved Me
"Who is Claudia? She is not my friend, but she has been a part of my life for a very long time. She is the voice of my eating disorder. A voice that over time, has crowded out my own thoughts and beliefs. I'm hoping that someday I will leave her behind," began the first entry of Angela's myspace blog entry almost a year ago.

"I have an amazing therapist and also a nutritionist who thought it would be a good idea to give my eating disorder a separate identity from myself. It would be a way to delineate between my own voice and the voice of the eating disorder. I'm finally beginning to see how often Claudia talks to me. She is bossy, demanding, snide, snotty, and degrading. She is also the one with the control most of the time, but I know that needs to change if I am to survive." "I remember the first time she spoke to me. I was seven years old, sitting in church, and looking down at my thighs as I sat in the pew. "Your legs are so fat,"! She said." "Why did she choose that moment to begin her torment? I'm not really sure. My mom, grandma, and two aunts were constantly dieting and discussing their weight. I'm sure that their conversations wormed their way into what I began to also believe about myself."

"Being raped at the age of eleven was the real beginning of my self loathing and hatred. A secret that I held inside, suffocating my voice, and letting the shame eat me alive. Puberty began soon after, and with it, the ultimate betrayal of my own body." "I'm hoping that writing down some of the conversations that I have with Claudia will help me to find my own voice, and hopefully, someday, my voice will be louder than hers."

"It feels wonderful to read this again, just to see how far I have come," she says. "Is my voice louder than the voice of Claudia's? Yes, I think it is, and damn, it feels good! I believe that the writing saved me. I began writing blogs, writing poetry, writing in my journal, writing my thoughts in e-mails to my therapist. I couldn't seem to stop writing and more than that, I felt such a strong desire to share what I had written. First with my therapist, who encouraged me with compliments on the poetry that I would share and then I started blogging; Sharing with strangers about things that I had kept secret for most of my life. Through writing, I found the freedom to unlock the silence, and begin the process of healing." By Angela Minard

Blog: http://hereandnow4angel.blogspot.com/
Article source: http://hereandnow4angel.blogspot.com/2008/03/conversations-with-claudia-how-writing.htmlPicture source:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/86272503@N00/6414710805/

Eating Disorder Self Assessment Tests and Quizzes:Do I Have An Eating Disorder?

Are you wondering if you, or someone you love, may have an Eating Disorder? Here are some tests that should help.

Eating Disorder Screening Quiz 1

Eating Disorder Screening Quiz 2

Eating Attitudes Test

Assessment Quiz

Eating Disorders Quiz

Eating Disorders Questionnaire 

Eating Disorders Self Assessment

Test Sources:
http://www.eatingdisorder.org/about_eating_disorders/resources/quiz.php
http://testing.river-centre.org:591/fmi/iwp/cgi?-db=EAT&-loadframes
http://quiz.ivillage.co.uk/uk_diet/tests/eatingdisorders.htm
http://psychcentral.com/eatingquiz.htm
picture source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/diegodalmaso/2882344833/

ARE YOU EATING TOO LITTLE?

No matter who you are or how old you are, your body requires proper nutrition in order to function at it's best and be healthy. Proper nutrition means getting enough calories and nutrients. Depending on age, gender, and lifestyle, these requirements vary. The amounts and types of food you consume can have a very powerful impact on your physical and emotional health.

Are you eating too little? Too much? Are you giving your body what it needs?

Use this calculator to find out what your nutritional needs are:
Child/Teen
Adults


Are you eating enough protein? Take this quiz at Health 24 to find out.

Calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI).
Child/Teen
Adult

Are you at a healthy weight?

You depend on your body every day. Remember that it's depending on you, too.


nutrition calculators: http://www.besthealth.com/besthealth/wellness/nutrition_calc.htm
http://pediatrics.about.com/library/bl_calorie_calc.htm?start=1&gender=undefined&age=NaN&activity_level=NaN&page=1
BMI calculators: http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/usefultools/l/bl_bmi_calc.htm
http://nhlbisupport.com/bmi/
healthy weight calculator: http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/iwc
picture source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/klara/5022181634/