Overcoming Eating Disorders

”I finally realized there was a name for what I was doing, this was not normal, and it could kill me. – Lisa Ryan

Lisa's Story

It all started when a couple of my friends and I decided to go on a diet the summer before our junior year in high school. We wanted to look good in our cheerleading uniforms.

But when the other girls met their goal and stopped dieting, I couldn’t stop. By then I was addicted to the attention I was getting – comments like, “Hey Lisa, have you lost weight? You look great.” The compliments fed my insecurity. At my all-time lowest point, my goal was 100 lbs. – size 0, far too thin for my 5’7” frame.

My body began feeding on itself. I lost my appetite, my hair began to come out in clumps, I had pale and colorless skin, and my period stopped for several months. I didn’t know there was a name for what I was doing. I now know those are all symptoms of anorexia.

Then, for some reason, I became depressed and began eating … and eating, and eating. A lack of proper nutrition to feed my brain, coupled with deep emotions of grief and anger over my parents’ divorce and my brother’s death, put me on an emotional roller coaster. I became insecure, withdrawn, and overcome by feelings of futility. Compulsive eating became my escape, my comfort. You see, I was a good little Christian girl, so I couldn’t smoke, drink, take drugs or sleep around. But I could eat, and somehow that didn’t seem like rebellion or sin.

I pulled away from my friends and isolated myself. In order to get my weight under control, I started dieting again but would quickly be overcome by defeat, condemnation, depression, and anxiety, so I would then binge again. That started a vicious cycle of compulsive eating and chronic dieting.

It wasn’t until I was watching an afternoon talk show one day while grazing on a bag of chips or a box of donuts that I finally realized there was a name for what I was doing, this was not normal, and it could kill me. I had become bulimic.

That was over 25 years ago, before people talked about these things, and before there were clinics, books, and help groups. Healing for me was a personal journey with God, addressing the whole person: spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical.

First, you have to realize that what you are doing has nothing to do with food. What you are hungry for, food cannot satisfy. God is the healer of our emotions, our minds and our bodies.

God can set you free – just like He did for me.

What Are Eating Disorders?

The most common eating disorders are anorexia, compulsive eating, and bulimia. They may be experienced by males or females at any age, but are typically a problem for adolescent girls, usually ages 11 to 20. The results can be deadly – up to 20 percent of people who are not treated for anorexia may die.*

Noted therapist Dr. Linda Mintle, Ph.D., is the author of several books, including Getting Unstuck from Anxiety, Depression and Eating Disorders, and a frequent guest expert on The 700 Club and Living The Life. Says Dr. Linda, “Most women hate their bodies. The average model is 5’8”, wears a size 2 and weighs 110 pounds. This is far different than the average American woman at 5’4”, size 12 and 144 pounds.” Impressionable girls can be influenced by television, magazines, movies, and – sadly – even pornography to develop unrealistic and unhealthy expectations about how their bodies should look.

Dr. Linda explains that all three eating disorders stem from intense fear of gaining weight, excessive preoccupation with food and eating, chronic dieting, poor body image, depression, and the need for approval by others.

Anorexia occurs when you lose weight by avoiding food to the point of starving yourself or by doing extreme amounts of exercise, become 15 percent or more below your normal body weight, and have a phobia about looking fat even if you’re thin. You may become irritable, depressed or anxious, and develop gastrointestinal problems, headaches, sensitivity to cold, low pulse and temperature, disruption of your menstrual cycle, hair loss, weakness, low blood sugar, fainting and concentration problems. These symptoms can quickly become life threatening. Approximately 1 percent of female adolescents have anorexia.*

Compulsive eating means that you binge on large quantities of unhealthy food, sometimes several times a day. As you gain weight, you may lose your self-esteem, start avoiding people, and experience depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. Obesity (20 percent or more above normal body weight) can cause alarming health problems including stroke, diabetes, heart failure, and even cancer. Approximately 34 percent of all Americans are obese, and many of them struggle with binge eating.*

Bulimia is diagnosed if you “purge” yourself after compulsively overeating at least twice a week for three or more months. Purging may be through vomiting, laxatives, diuretics, diet pills, enemas, exercising excessively, or fasting. Bulimia can lead to serious medical problems, such as large weight fluctuations, gastric distress, headaches, skin irritations, tooth loss, gum disease, depression, irregular menstrual cycle, diminished interest in sex, kidney problems, inflamed esophagus, stomach rupture, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and heart failure. Four out of 100 college-age women have bulimia.* Dr. Linda says that bulimia sufferers usually binge and purge in secret and have associated feelings of shame.

*Statistics are quoted from www.ANRED.com, the Web site for Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc.

What Causes Eating Disorders?

Obsessive dissatisfaction with your body image plus unhealthy dieting can be gateways to developing an eating disorder. According to Dr. Linda, other risk factors include:

• Personal or family history of a mood disorder
• Traumatic life events
• Family history of eating disorders or substance abuse
• Family’s odd eating habits and strong concern about appearance
• Repeated negative comments about your appearance
• Normal development events, such as the onset of puberty, leaving home, or beginning a new relationship, particularly with the opposite sex.

How Do I Get Help?

If you suspect you have an eating disorder, don’t hide it! “It’s best to get help quickly,” says Dr. Linda. “Treatment can save your life! The longer you stay in your abnormal eating habits, the more ingrained they become.” Her Web site, www.DrLindaHelps.com, offers the following tips:

Start with the truth. Eating disorders are deadly and never to be glorified or envied.

Break off unhealthy friendships. Stop getting support from those who encourage your sick behavior and are not grounded in Scripture.

Don’t trust your feelings. Feelings are subject to change. You must believe by faith that you need help, even if you don’t feel like it.

Admit defeat. Only when we acknowledge our weaknesses can we become strong.

Surrender to God. You are out of control, whether you acknowledge it or not. Change is possible if you cooperate with treatment and God.

Be willing to tackle underlying issues. You may be struggling with weight and food, but these are symbolic of other deeper issues.

Trust God and those who are trying to help you. This may be hard if you’ve been hurt in the past, but it will bring healing.

Pray for a change of heart. Ask God to soften your heart and speak to you. He will answer your prayers! Develop an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

Read God’s Word. Your Heavenly Father is good, loving, and wants the best for you. Don’t transfer your ideas about earthly relationships onto God. Instead, read what the Bible has to say about Him. (A good place to start is by reading the Gospel of John.)

A Team Effort

Dr. Linda advises, “Because eating disorders involve complex emotional, psychological and spiritual issues, you need a comprehensive plan that will help you overcome the disorder.”

She recommends that you and your family work with a team of professionals to help you overcome your eating disorder. First, find a doctor who understands eating disorders and have a complete physical exam. You should also consult a nutritionist who will help you learn to eat sensibly and gain or lose weight safely. A mental health practitioner can assist you in dealing with underlying emotional and spiritual issues. If medicine is necessary, a psychopharmacologist may be helpful in recommending treatment options. Group and family therapy are highly recommended, as well. Usually, you can be treated as an outpatient, but sometimes hospitalization may be necessary.

A New Beginning With Jesus

Jesus Christ made a way for you to come to God and have a new start in life. He died to take away your sins and bring you into a personal relationship with God. You can have that relationship right now by giving your heart to Jesus and dedicating your life to Him each day. He will forgive you for your past, bring healing to your life, and give you new hope for the future! If you don’t know how to pray, start with this simple prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I know I’m a sinner, and I’ve done many wrong things. (Name them if you need to.) I ask You to forgive me and give me a clean start today. Rescue me from lies and forces that can hurt me. Come into my heart, be Lord of my life, and help me live each moment for You. I desperately need Your strength to face my problems, so please fill me with the power of Your Holy Spirit. I trust You to lead me day by day. Thank You for Your love. Amen.”

Remember that whenever you need prayer, you can send your prayer request to us on line or call The 700 Club Prayer Counseling Center 24 hours a day at (800) 759-0700. Someone who cares is always available to pray with you and encourage you in your walk with Christ. May God bless you as you grow in His love!

Advice To Parents

“Teens and young adults with eating disorders often make promises to family members in order to avoid therapy or even hospitalization,” cautions Dr. Linda. “Good intentions can’t be trusted. Don’t keep negotiating the need for help. Set a time and a specific goal – for example, tell her, ‘You will gain one pound in the next two weeks or we will go to therapy.’ If it doesn’t happen, don’t renegotiate. Your daughter is telling you she can’t do it alone. Eating disorders rarely go away without extra help.”

The following questions will help you know when to take action:

How chronic are your daughter’s symptoms? Has she made repeated promises of improvement with little progress? Get her to therapy and start addressing problems now.

Is your daughter medically at risk or out of control to the point that her daily functioning is impaired? Examples include severe weight loss, purging after every eating episode, and inability to concentrate, sleep, or finish tasks. If her weight falls below what is medically safe (less than 85 percent of expected weight) or if she binges and purges at least twice a week – get help now.

Has your daughter struggled for months with limited success? She probably needs more structure, which is available through an intensive outpatient program or partial hospitalization.

Is your daughter experiencing an increase in depression, suicidal thoughts, or attempts? If depression is taking a toll on everyday living, get help immediately. If her safety is in question, consult an inpatient facility.

Does your daughter deny or minimize the problem to the point of real danger? If so, you must insist on treatment, and do not be manipulated by good intentions or crying.

Recommended Resources
The following books by Dr. Linda Mintle, along with many helpful articles, are available through her Web site, www.DrLindaHelps.com.

Getting Unstuck from Anxiety, Depression and Eating Disorders (Creation House, 1999).

Breaking Free from Anorexia and Bulimia (Siloam, Strang Communications).

Breaking Free from Compulsive Overeating (Siloam, Strang Communications).

Dr. Linda suggests considering these Christian programs:

Mercy Ministries of America, Monroe, LA, and Nashville, TN; (615) 831-6987; www.MercyMinistries.com

Remuda Ranch, Wickenburg, AZ; (800) 445-1900; www.RemudaRanch.com

Laureate’s Eating Disorders Program (with Rapha therapists), Tulsa, OK; www.Laureate.com

For more information, contact local hospitals, university medical centers with an eating disorder clinic, or a mental health clinic near you. The following non-profit organizations may also offer educational materials or referrals for treatment in your area:

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, www.ANAD.org

Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc., www.ANRED.com

National Eating Disorders Organization, www.NationalEatingDisorders.org

Overeaters Anonymous, www.OvereatersAnonymous.org

Harvard Eating Disorders Center, www.HEDC.org

God can set you free - just like He did for me.
– Lisa Ryan