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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:
-
weight
loss of at least 15 percent below normal body weight
-
are
preoccupied with your body size and dissatisfied with specific
features
-
the
loss of a menstrual period for 3 consecutive months
-
a
tremendous fear of gaining weight if you are healed of anorexia
-
a
distorted body image (say you still feel fat)
-
an
obsessive preoccupation with food and exercise
-
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
-
may
have increased sensitivity to cold
-
deny
hunger or anorexia
-
refuse
to eat
How
is bulimia different than anorexia? Bulimia involves these symptoms:
-
binges
two or more times every week for at least three months
-
may
eventually alternate binges and fasts with no periods of normal eating
-
food
may be eaten inconspicuously so that you can vomit secretly
-
binges
are followed by self-induced vomiting or purging
-
inordinate
use of laxatives or diuretics to force weight loss
-
are obsessive about exercise and fasting
-
may or
may not look thin but are persistently over concerned with appearance
-
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?
-
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. |
