How Long Do People Usually Struggle With Anorexia Nervosa

By some estimations, almost ten percent of people in the US suffer from some eating disorder, which gets us to a total number of more than 25 million people. It’s needless to say how big of a problem this is, and among all other types and disorders, anorexia nervosa is the most common one. The good thing is that, even though there isn’t one genuine cure for this condition, there are many treatments that can help those struggling with it to get better faster, but let’s first check what anorexia nervosa is.

What is it?

Source: thedailybeast.com

Even though we all want to look like the best versions of ourselves, sometimes we go to extremes to achieve such goals, and as a result, our overall well-being worsens. That is why there are way too many people suffering from some eating disorder today, and anorexia nervosa is high on that list. Namely, the fact that makes this eating disorder so dangerous is that there is no real reason, condition, or anything similar that can cause it, and the reason why someone suffers from anorexia nervosa is relatively unknown. In general, every person suffers from it due to some personal reason, mixed with psychological, environmental, and biological factors.

Another thing that makes this eating disorder so tough to deal with is that people suffering from it are usually unaware that they have a problem. In extreme cases, they refuse to admit that there is anything wrong, and the disorder affects their mood, causing mood swings and feeling depressed. Overall, it is a pretty difficult condition to cure, and the process can last for quite some time, depending on how willing some person is to admit they have a problem and that they need to do something about it.

On the other hand, there are lots of ways and treatments to help those with this condition to get better, but, once again, the first step to solving any problem is admitting you have one, as everything else starts from here.

Recognizing the symptoms

Source: insightpsychological.ca

Anorexia nervosa is something that can be cured, and the sooner we notice the symptoms and find professional help, the easier the entire process will be. The biggest problem is that people usually do not notice these symptoms in themselves due to wrong opinions and body image, but it is not that difficult to notice them in someone else.

People who struggle with anorexia nervosa can be intolerant to a cold, have yellowish skin, look tired all the time, and their weight will be reduced. Sometimes fine hair called lanugo can grow all over their bodies, and their teeth can decay. Every conversation with them usually is about their look, as they are terrified of becoming fat, even if they are extremely thin, thanks to the wrong body image. They skip meals, find excuses to decline food when someone tries to convince them, and even when they decide to eat something, they have different rituals, such as too-small or too-big bites, which is why they always try to avoid eating in front of people. People with anorexia nervosa can become obsessed with exercising and the nutritional content of the food they eat, which always affects their regular functioning. They struggle with mood swings, which can easily be noticed, especially if you know someone well, and the energy levels are so low that they seem lethargic all the time. Their thinking is affected, as they cannot think clearly and focus on some activities that they have been doing without any obstacles before the appearance of anorexia nervosa.

These are only some of the symptoms we can see when it comes to this serious eating disorder, and, as we have already mentioned, the sooner we notice them, the sooner someone we love will get the necessary help. A fast reaction can be crucial for the treatment, so it is always better to check if some of the symptoms appear than to neglect them and hope they will disappear on their own.

Finding the right treatment program can be of much help

Source: womenshealth.gov

One of the best ways to speed up the recovery process is to seek help from an established institution with a lot of experience in helping people dealing with an eating disorder. Understandably, finding such an institute or clinic can be a bit challenging as there are various treatments for different stages of this eating disorder, and to get the best help, one needs to get the right treatment. That is why medical professionals with vast experience in this field are so highly valued, as they have helped people with similar problems many times before and know precisely what someone who suffers from this eating disorder requires. Overall, the best treatment programs have both high medical and psychiatric care for their patients, and they provide thorough guidance during the treatment. The basic is simple, and the more experienced medical professionals are, the better the care you’ll get and the faster you will recover from this eating disorder, which is why going with some renowned clinics like clementineprograms.com is always highly recommended.

To summarize

It is pretty challenging to answer the question of how long one will struggle with this serious eating disorder, as it is individual, and since there are no two same individuals in the world, it is something that is impossible to predict. Luckily, it is possible to end that battle as a winner, which is the most important thing, so if you or someone you love struggle with anorexia nervosa, it is crucial to admit it and find professional help as soon as possible. Magic cure that can solve that problem in a blink of an eye does not exist, and the entire healing process can sometimes be pretty long, but the most important is to be persistent and not give up. The first and most important step is admitting that you have a problem and trying to solve it by getting professional help, as neglecting anorexia nervosa can even lead to death.