Eating disorders seem to be on the increase (1). Anorexia typically affects teenage girls but increasingly older women are also being affected (2) and with the prevalence of magazines and commercials featuring impossibly toned men, anorexic symptoms are also being seen more frequently in men. Like its cousin, body dysmorphia, the person suffering anorexia will often genuinely see themselves as too fat, while at the same time knowing they have an eating disorder. This kind of cognitive dissonance, or ‘double think’, is typical of anorexic psychology. But some approaches to treating anorexia just don’t work.
Anorexia: protecting that which threatens us
Telling someone they are too thin when, with all their heart and mind, they believe the opposite, won’t work. They may agree with you outwardly, but they won’t believe you. As with many addictions, the anorexic will seek to protect (and be secretive about) the very thing that is threatening their existence. Starvation can feel addictive as it produces endorphins and gives an illusion of control in a life that otherwise may feel out of control. Of course, what anorexia seems to offer and what it actually dishes up are two totally different things. Telling a love-struck teenage girl that the destructive guy she’s crazy about is bad for her, or will steal her dignity and happiness, will not convince her to drop him. She needs to ‘fall out of love’ with him herself. It’s the same with anorexia. Once the sufferer really starts to see anorexia for what it is, then she/he has a chance for freedom.
The use of hypnosis as treatment for anorexia
This new hypnosis session for anorexia from hypnosisdownloads.com Anorexia treatment is intended to be an adjunct to other help for the condition. It seeks to calm the mind for a clearer perspective that can give true health for the body and mind a real chance.
Mark
Notes
(1) In the UK, the Eating Disorder Association (now known as BEAT) states that 1.15 million people in this country now have a significant problem and that between 60,000 and 90,000 of those are having treatment.
(2) The USA’s second largest eating disorder treatment program, the Remuda Ranch in Arizona, says that the incidence of people over forty being admitted for treatment has risen by more than 100% in just over ten years, according to Dr. Edward Cumella, director of research.
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