Go Back to – Face It!
Anorexia is the mystery card of mental illnesses. Scientists believe it is genetically caused but cannot prove it. Popular word on the street is that it is not a disease but self-inflicted for attention, and that the patient can pull him/ herself out of it if they wanted to. But with Its close relationship to other conditions like depression and anxiety it is nol possible to claim it is a self-inflicted illness.
In a recent interview, a diagnosed anorexic explained how she felt, she experienced more stigma attributed to her depression. After a long explanation it was quite clear that the depression had been recognised and dealt with to quite an extent. She had obviously received some negative feedback through this which was labelled as stigma.
What she didn’t realise was that she was in such denial about her anorexia, she had never classified it as a problem. She had never spoken to anyone about it -fearing the response she might receive, and by admitting to it, what other aspects 0f her life would have to be confronted. Her anorexia was so heavily stigmatised it had become a subconscious act. She was diagnosed while receiving treatment for depression. In another interview a recovering anorexic wrote: ‘ The hardest part of recovery is realising all the things you hid from behind starvation.’
Anorexia acts as a control measure. By controlling what one eats, the patient is given a false sense of stability over other issues in life that are out of control. The patient is left with a type of high on achieving this control. Common off shoots from this are doing excessive exercise on minimal food, and helping others so long as nothing is done in return. These create a sense of empowerment.
The nature of anorexia leads the patient into isolation as the symptoms become harder to hide. Their state can often be seen as a cry for help, but by giving pity 0r scolding one will only be fuelling further starvation. It is important though for one to have a support base that includes the world outside of anorexia – one associated with self love and high self esteem. As once the anorexic learns to use the inner strength it takes to deny food in a constructive manner to face their fears, It will be these strengths which will be the core of an empowered individual.