The Dangerous Effects of Anorexia & The Need for Treatment
It’s very common to want to lose weight, especially if you’re overweight, but for those suffering from anorexia, the desire to lose weight become all encompassing and consumes every aspect of their lives. When anorexia causes you to change your behaviors, your eating habits and everything you do in life, it’s time to seek treatment. The dangerous effects of anorexia will not go away on their own—getting help is the only suitable way that you can take back control of your life.
Dangerous Effects of Anorexia
Seriously restricting caloric intake can cause major side effects in your physical health. When your body doesn’t receive fuel from food, it breaks down into survival mode and starts to feed on your organs and other areas of the body in an effort to continue functioning. Anorexia can essentially cause the human body to consume itself from the inside out.
The dangerous effects of anorexia include:
- severe mood swings which can lead to depression and suicidal thoughts
- gastrointestinal problems which may make healthy eating seem impossible
- severe lethargy and lack of energy
- jaundice as a result of the liver and kidneys breaking down
- dizziness which could lead to a trip or fall
- fainting which can lead to serious injury
- damage to the teeth and gums
Getting Help for Anorexia
The dangerous effects of anorexia can cause a lasting impression on your life and may cause irreversible damage to your organs. Getting help is the right choice, but that doesn’t always mean that it will be an easy choice to make. You may think that there’s no help for you or that there’s no level of care that will actually make all the pain and suffering go away—but you’re wrong!
Recovering from anorexia is possible! First you must seek professional treatment from a qualified facility that will be able to help you overcome this eating disorder. Many different types of treatment for anorexia are available including:
- residential treatment
- outpatient treatment
- support groups
Every case of anorexia differs. In treatment, you will gain the support and advice from people who care about you and who care about your safe recovery. The advice that you receive from a professional counselor or therapist can help you set your best foot forward and begin to make a full recovery from this terrible condition.