Eating Disorders

Almost every person who has suffered sexual abuse will exhibit an EATING DISORDER at some time in her life. Eating disorders of anorexia and bulimia are often labelled as an addiction problem. They are closely related to substance addictions. The difference between food addictions and substance addictions may only be that eating of food is socially acceptable, while substance addictions are not.

I. What is an eating disorder?

An eating disorder occurs where there is an improper use of, and consumption of food.

*Ask your group to name and define some eating disorders.

A. ANOREXIA NERVOSA

ANOREXIA NERVOSA: excessive loss of appetite with decreased consumption of food resulting in severe weight loss and emaciation.

B. BULIMIA

BULIMIA: episode binge eating usually while depressed, often accompanied by a fear of not being able to stop eating. After binging victim induces vomiting and/or takes laxatives (purging).

BULIMIA: an abnormal and constant craving for food.

There may or may not be weight loss associated with bulimia. Usually the victim attempts to maintain what she considers her ideal body weight.

Bulimia is often described as the ‘symptom of choice’ of many abused women.

C. FOODAHOLISM

FOODAHOLISM (over-eating): obsession with food, consuming kinds and quantities of food which is destructive or have negative consequences- physically, emotionally, mentally, relationally, and spiritually.

Eating disorders are obsessive compulsive disorders. Compulsive eaters can be anorexic (starving and emaciated), bulimic (binging and purging), obese or none of these. Size is not necessarily an indication of food addiction.

II WHY victims of abuse have eating disorders?

*Ask group to express why there are so many eating disorders among abused people.

Some suggest reasons are:

A. Mistrust of body/hunger

(Root: betrayal of trust)

Abuse causes child/adult to mistrust own body’s needs, and longings. Distortion of when or why they are hungry.

B. Misappropriation of food in childhood

(Root: parental misuse of food)

The mother with an eating disorder will not feed the child properly. Mother and father may use food to meet the emotional needs of child.

There may be an attempt to place infant on rigid eating schedule-infants need to recognize natural hunger.

C. To appease the pain

(Root: trauma-sexual abuse)

Food brings pleasure to all the senses. This is necessary so that we will eat for health, energy, and well-being. However, the pleasure food gives can be used to relieve pain or disengage from reality, the result is an addiction.

D. Protective cover-up

Obesity becomes a protective cover-up, or an excuse to refrain from sexual activity or large size affords protection from sexual advances.

E. Emotional

(Root: anger, guilt, fear)

Food is used to numb themselves to their emotions, problems, stresses and conflicts. Wish to achieve relief from a painful emotional state or from withdrawal symptoms they might experience if they do not have a fix or a favorite food. Food is used as a TRANQUILIZER. Thus is created a tension, release cycle much like sex. Therefore, the problem is directly related to sexual abuse.

*See Chart ‘Abuse Cycle-Vicious Cycle’

F. Types of foods

(Root: physiological)

Chemical composition of foods consumed may cause addiction. e.g. Caffeine, sugar, food additives, chocolate and salt.

G. Attempt to regain control over her own body

(Root: controlled by abuse as child)

When a child is abused someone else controls her body. As an adult she now attempts to regain control over her own body by controlling food intake or lack of intake.

H. Attempt to be sexually immature

The abuse victim does not want to be sexually mature, yet may want to be sexually attractive.

III WHAT are some characteristic of Victims suffering eating disorders?

*Allow group members to share characteristics.

A. Perfectionism

-attempt to meet unreasonable standards or expectations.

-attempt to make right the wrong.

-to compensate for the woundedness in the area of her sexuality.

B. Low self-esteem

Because of abuse she feels worthless, used, abused, no sense of worth apart from her sexuality (may be no sense of worth in this area either). The eating disorder becomes a form of self-punishment to treat herself as she perceives she deserves. This may become very self-destructive and debilitating.

C. Sexual identity confusion

Those who deny their sexuality may attempt to avoid puberty or to offset sexual development by engaging in excessive dieting, e.g. Anorexia.

The bulimic may be sexually involved but uses purging to get rid of negative feelings (i.e guilt, being dirty) she may have about her sexual involvement. Also the bulimic may use binging and purging as a sort of substitute for sexual activity. Binging simulates tension and purging relief. She may take out her feelings of contempt and shame on herself by binging and purging.

D. Depression

Many victims binge when depressed or angry. After throwing up become withdrawn (relief self) so becomes more depressed or angry- vicious cycle.

*See Bulimia Cycle

E. Deception

The bulimic hides food so family members don’t know what they are eating. The bulimic keeps secret the inducing of vomiting. They will attempt to hide all failures.

The bulimic is deceived herself:

1. She believes this is a way of handling pain but the truth is that it causes more pain and distress.

2. She really is deceived into re-victimizing herself as the bulimia cycle is much like the abuse cycle. The destructive forces increase and become more deadly in bulimia. She continues to punish herself, believing that this is the only way she can deal with the pain, anger, and rejection. For some survivors, new trauma may result in using old coping mechanisms such as bulimia to handle it. This results in more contempt, guilt, and self-hatred, and so the cycle may continue to escalate. She may even believe Satan’s lie that no previous healing has occurred.

*See Chart ‘Abuse Cycle- Vicious Cycle’

F. Power Struggles

A person with an eating disorder is seeking to regain power and control over her own body.

G. Co-dependency

A person with an eating disorder is addicted to or dependent upon food. A secondary person becomes co-dependent because of conflicts generated. The co-dependent person needs to be needed by an addict, or to be a dependent person’s rescuer.

H. Physiological problems

These are described under “what are the results of eating disorders?”

IV WHAT are the results of eating disorders?

A. Physical

1. Diminished energy

2. Diminished libido

3. Sleep disturbances (tiredness)

4. Sense of being unwell, under par

5. Sustained and prolong food abuse can damage

-Liver -Pancreas -Adrenals

6. Gastro-intestinal disorders/menstrual disorders

7. Anemia

8. Tooth damage/gum disease

9. Chronic sore throat

10. Electrolyte imbalance

11. Dehydration

B. Emotional

1. Depression

2. Irritability

3. Negativity

4. Shame

5. Low self-esteem/lack of self-worth

6. Anxiety

7. Apathy

8. Mood swings

9. Suicidal attempts

C. Mental

1. Confusion

2. Lack of mental clarity

3. Shortened attention span

4. Some foods act as a sedative

-affects thinking

-hampering ALL mental processes

D. Relational

1. Interferes with relationships because of irritability and negativity common to food abusers.

2. Avoidance of others in order to eat or because of feeling unwell, or embarrassed.

3. Less active physically, thus chooses NOT to participate with others.

4. Social isolation

E. Spiritual (affects our relationship with God)

The responses of one involved in an eating disorder, do NOT Line up with God’s standards, and thus are sin.

1. Dishonesty-lying about food consumption

2. Stealing food

3. Not honoring physical body as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19)

4. Because this is SIN, this gives Satan a doorway in the life of the individual. Satan is thus able to establish a stronghold which is bondage in the life of the individual.

V HOW do we deal with Eating Disorders?

*Ask group to comment and make suggestions re solution and healing for eating disorders.

A. Face the problem

Admit to yourself and before God that you have an eating disorder (problem). Confess this as sin and ask Him to forgive you of all sin and unrighteousness associated with the problem. Also deal with sin against anyone else because of eating disorder. Need to accept God’s forgiveness, forgive others, and forgive self.

There maybe a need to go back to deal with the underlying root problem of sexual abuse, or other severe trauma.

B. Tell Someone Else

There is a great need to overcome denial by sharing this with someone else. Sometimes admitting to self and silently to God is not enough. It becomes necessary to confess this out loud to someone else who will listen, support and pray.

Jas. 5:16

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

It is also necessary to repent of the sin and turn away from it 180 degrees.

C. Need to recognize and mentally acknowledge that the eating disorder is a coping mechanism.

Thus it becomes important for us to identify the triggers and the cycle.

*See the diagram-Eating Disorder.

Need to break the cycle:

– Spiritually (see steps #A, and #B)

– Mentally (see steps #C, and #D)

– Emotionally (see steps #E, and #F)

– Physically (see steps #G)

D. Survey the damage

It is helpful to write down the harmful consequences resulting from the abuse that have contributed to the eating disorder.

(NEH. 2:11-18)

Nehemiah Inspects Jerusalem’s Walls

11I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days 12I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.

13By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackala Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. 14Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; 15so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate. 16The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work.

17Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” 18I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.

They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.

E. Identify triggers

There is a need to identify the emotional triggers and replace them with positive emotional responses.

F. Handle triggers and negative emotions in a Godly way.

Our minds must be renewed to deal with these emotions in a healthy, God-given way.

G. Breaking the physical cycle

1. Allow the body to reveal hunger and respond to hunger. Begin to trust natural body hunger.

2. Choose nutritious foods. Eat 3 meals a day (at least). Eat according to Canada’s food guide.

3. Forget dieting and adapt a healthy pattern of eating for life or develop a healthy eating program.

H. Breaking the vicious cycle

1. In affliction and distress we do NOT give in to negative emotions of: guilt, worry, fear, and anger. There is a point where we make a choice to believe God’s promises.

2. We begin to rejoice in all circumstances, knowing that He is with us.

3. We need to make the choice of obedience and trust, we have to submit our will to God.

*See Chart ‘Vicious Cycle – Victor’s Cycle’

*See Chart ‘Wandering in Wilderness – Promised Land’