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What are eating disorders?
Eating disorders are a serious health
issue that affects as many as 1 out of 10 women at some time
in their lives, more teens than women and millions of men.
Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia are more than a
diet plan; they are very unhealthy and even
life-threatening. They are often rooted in life-long issues,
strong emotions, fear, shame, control, poor self-image,
excessive perfectionism, faulty reasoning, and unresolved
spiritual issues. Many times life-threatening medical issues
result and professional help is needed.
There are three types of eating
disorders: anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa
and binge eating without use of compensatory
measures. In each case, the person is attempting to meet
legitimate needs using something other than God as their
source and in their own strength.
How can I know
if I really have anorexia? Check yourself for these signs:
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weight loss of at least 15
percent below normal body weight
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are preoccupied with your
body size and dissatisfied with specific features
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the loss of a menstrual
period for 3 consecutive months
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a tremendous fear of gaining
weight if you are healed of anorexia
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a distorted body image (say
you still feel fat)
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an obsessive preoccupation
with food and exercise
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dry skin, brittle nails, and
constipation may occur
-
possibly new fine, downy
hair growing on your body or face
-
hair may thin and fall out
with long term anorexia
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may have increased
sensitivity to cold
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deny hunger or anorexia
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refuse to eat
How is bulimia
different than anorexia? Bulimia involves these symptoms:
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binges two or more times
every week for at least three months
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may eventually alternate
binges and fasts with no periods of normal eating
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food may be eaten
inconspicuously so that you can vomit secretly
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binges are followed by
self-induced vomiting or purging
-
inordinate use of laxatives
or diuretics to force weight loss
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are obsessive about exercise
and fasting
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may or may not look thin but
are persistently over concerned with appearance
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have a sore throat from
vomiting
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can begin with anorexia and
move to bulimia or have both
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What does it matter if I choose
anorexia or bulimia?
First of all, anorexia and bulimia can be deadly. Sufferers
may develop hypothermia (a low temperature,) low heart rate,
low blood pressure, a depressive disorder, turn to substance
abuse, dental enamel may erode (a result of stomach acid,)
electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, irregular heart beats
and occasionally sudden death.
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What causes it?
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Perfectionism - over achieving: unreasonably high
standards for their appearance; possibly an inherited
compulsion to succeed
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Deception: hiding one's failures and addictions,
obsession with needing to be in control
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Poor
self-image and low self-esteem: feels worthless,
unlovable, unattractive and "fat," may withdraw
socially, avoids eating with others where bulimia will
be observed
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Sexual
identity ambivalence: confusion about becoming
mature physically
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Depression: because unrealistic goals cannot be
reached, passing criticisms or major stresses cause you
to cope with anorexia, binging or bulimia
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Control issues: when the family discovers the
addiction and tries to force change
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Performance based acceptance: exceptionally
dependant on parents for acceptance or meeting the (?)
unreasonable standards of peers
What can we
do for one who suffers from anorexia, bulimia or binge
eating?
We can consistently
offer them unconditional love and acceptance apart from
their performance or appearance. As we impart value to them
as a person, they will recognize the importance of their
contributions, preferences, opinions and begin to make
healthier choices. Stay with them during and after meals,
offering strength. Avoid placing blame, power struggles,
messages of being a failure or being unacceptable. Help them
to begin to like themselves.
If possible,
introduce them to a healing group, as it may help them to
determine the root issues and give them hope to overcome it.
Listen attentively without minimizing their pain, as they
begin to share their wounds and hurts. Model other ways of
handling stress. Support them in receiving God's Truth about
themselves as they begin to base their self-esteem on His
Truth, instead of the opinions of others. Rejoice with them
as they begin to crave the Truth of God instead of the lies.
Take them to see a nutritionist, therapist or medical
physician, if necessary,
How can
Restoration Prayer Ministry (RPM) help eating disorders?
In RPM sessions, our
client simply asks Jesus to come and reveal the root areas
that need healing. We wait quietly as He shows us what
wounds need to be healed and what walls need to come down.
He knows where the original pain is hidden and the lies that
were embedded. If He is allowed to take the walls down, He
will become the protector Himself. He takes the power out of
the lies and the pain out of the memories.
They
consistently tell us that where the pain may have been 7-10
on a scale of 1-10, it is a ZERO now! Jesus offers them
Truth instead of lies and supernaturally clears their minds
of false beliefs and false identity. In the extended
Restoration Prayer Ministry, we pray with great thoroughness
over every root that is revealed, whether it be inherited
from ancestors, mental ungodly beliefs, unhealed hurts or
oppression and bondage. See
RPM - What It?
Please
note: Healing with vision is not imagining that Jesus
is there, but experiencing an live interaction with our
living Lord. It is not re-decision therapy or cognitive
work, where one might mentally choose to make new choices or
draw new conclusions out of their own resources. Healing
with vision is a prayer to invite Jesus to appear with His
own methods of healing without our coaching!! (I say very
little, never suggesting what to see.) My role is reduced to
scribe: I take notes as our client sees the open vision and
dictates it to me!! Sometimes, I see Him too and I am healed
as well. There is always more grace than we need in His
presence.
In RPM we
provide an opportunity for a person to invite Jesus Christ
to tell them or show them their wounds, roots or walls
(without analysis.) Jesus is then invited to touch each one
supernaturally, as he did many times in the New Testament.
He does --- and they marvel that their life-time of pain and
the power of the lies is gone instantly. He actions or words
may be very simple or brief. He may only tell them truth
that you or I would have told them. The difference is that
His anointing, power and presence breaks every yoke and
heals wounds effectively and immediately.
Is it
legitimate to offer that healing may result from a vision
with our resurrected Jesus? What therapist is more
legitimate than Jesus? We never guarantee any certain result
but most do smile in amazement and report that their pain is
a zero now! When you have exhausted your own means and
methods, you are invited to join us for Restoration Prayer
Ministry with Jesus.
If you
suspect anorexia, bulimia or binge eating, please
contact us and allow us to
help.
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