Seeking treatment for anorexia can be challenging, but the effects the eating disorder has on a woman’s body can have a significant toll. As a result, getting professional help is so important. The toll on a woman’s physical and mental health can be more than most can handle on their own. Learning how to get back to your healthiest self and recognize what triggers could hinder your recovery are important parts of eating disorder treatment. Crossroads has been helping people recover from addiction and behavioral health issues for over 40 years. If you or a loved one are looking for treatment options to deal with the effects of anorexia, contact Crossroads today at 877.978.1667.
How Anorexia Affects Women
The mental and physical effects of anorexia are very real. An individual’s unrealistic perception of themself and their weight leads to a range of health concerns, affecting the whole body. The impacts on the body can include the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and skin. It’s important to identify an eating disorder as early as possible and begin treatment to correct these effects. Without professional treatment, some effects can be life-threatening.
Skin Issues
Weight loss and starvation can cause nutritional deprivation, which can affect skin color. Your skin may appear reddish or blotchy, and you may experience acne.
Stomach Issues
When you restrict your diet to the point that bodyweight is 15-20% below your ideal, that small amount of food moves much slower than normal. As the food goes through the digestive system, you may experience bloating, pain, and constipation.
Hypoglycemia
Restricting food and over-exercising affects the body’s glycogen and causes low blood sugar. Hypoglycemia brings on headaches, mood changes, seizures, brain function, and issues with equilibrium.
Hormones
Anorexia lowers levels of estrogen and testosterone, which can cause impotence and infertility. Many anorexic women stop menstruating and don’t ovulate.
The Brain
Studies show that anorexic individuals have significant deficits in brain gray matter volume and can experience brain atrophy. They suffer from symptoms such as:
- Slower brain functions
- Memory loss
- Seizures
- Disordered thinking
Bone Issues
The lack of nutrients and calcium in the body because of the restricted food intake of an anorexic person results in compromised bone structure, bone density, and strength.
Heart Issues
Bradycardia, a slower than normal heart rate, is one of the most common physical symptoms of anorexia. It can result in a lack of oxygen to the brain and other organs, leading to congestive heart failure.
Anorexia Treatment For Women
At Crossroads, we pride ourselves on our unique gender-specific treatment programs for women in the beautiful state of Maine. With the increasing number of women dealing with both substance use disorders and eating disorders, we saw the need for an eating disorder treatment center that treats these co-occurring disorders. Early intervention is always best. Fortunately, the trained professionals at Crossroads can help you better understand the options for eating disorders available to you.
Get Treatment for Anorexia at Crossroads
At an anorexia treatment center like Crossroads, you can rely on the combined experience and knowledge of an entire team trained to help you. Women are struggling every day with the effects of anorexia and the stigmas associated with eating disorders in general. Being around peers who are sharing the same struggles, receiving treatment from trained professionals, and getting care in a comfortable, homelike environment sets you up for a successful recovery. We offer both residential and intensive outpatient treatment options.
Treatment can include:
- Trauma therapy
- Individual, group, and family therapy
- Motivational interviewing
- Medical nutrition therapy
- Mindfulness-based relapse prevention
- Expressive therapies like art and music
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
You can recover from anorexia. Contact our caring and professional team at 877.978.1667.
