Anorexia, Bulimia, Addictions and Laxatives in the news today.
New blog added 16 th oct 2014
Some very disturbing news on BBC's breakfast TV news this morning to hear how a watchdog investigation has uncovered evidence that increasing numbers of teenagers are turning to taking laxatives to lose weight. It is reported that some are taking dozens a day and seriously risking damaging their health.
The charity 'Beat' the eating disorders charity have been monitoring numbers and reports that 80%of people with anorexia or bulimia have been taking them and many of them are children. According to beat the eating disorders charity there are real and dangerous serious risks to the overuse of laxatives
As there are different types of laxatives and they work in different ways the ways that they can impact the body vary.
Laxatives abuse can give rise to organ failure,kidney and liver damage,blockages in the intestines which means a defunct colon causing long term health problems. Laxatives abuse can even cause heart failure.
This is an increasing and worrying trend fuelled by the many pro anorexia internet sites that offer dangerous tips about how to lose weight rapidly.
From a former laxatives addict Lottie who appeared on the show this morning Lottie talks about the ease of buying so many tablets from the age of twelve without being questioned and also about the addictive nature of the rush of the effects of being trapped in that cycle of addiction of wanting to keep using them and also all the horrible side effects such as feeling miserable,anxious and irritable with painful stomach cramps.
Lottie goes on to say how she now still has a sluggish bowel and gets stomach aches and feels that the addiction has really damaged her.
As a parent with a teenage child the fact that there sites exist really worry me. I believe these sites are really dangerous and I think some form of urgent action needs to be taken to have them blocked or closed down.
Clearly there is a very big problem with a threefold increase in recent years of calls to the charities help line.
Parents, if you notice that your child is suddenly losing weight rapidly and showing any or some of the signs outlined above, sit them down and have a talk with them and find out what is happening as there may well be a problem your child is trying to cope with and of course hiding from you.
You may notice changes in the behaviour and routines , for example are they going to the loo much more frequently? Perhaps something in a busy schedule which may not be noticed.
As this post deals with weight issues, many young teenagers these days are overweight and falling into the category of obesity and it is clear why there is this problem. If your child has a weight problem and a self image problem it is very important to recognise this and to talk to them and take the right action. Getting teenage youngsters to get out and take regular exercise these days is difficult at the best of times because of the culture of computers and the fact that as a society we have encouraged our kids to stay indoors and stay safe.
If your teenage child has a self image problem, it is probably even more difficult for them to want to be seen out and about as they no doubt want to shut themselves away from being seen, particularly if there is any concerns about physical or psychological bullying or abuse. They will also perhaps be feeling disempowered and unmotivated and may well find it difficult to like or love themselves.The lonesome overweight teenage child will most likely find comfort in eating and so causes a cycle of problems that they feel unable to control.
From a therapy point of view we know that the help we provide can help people change their minds and change their lives in a positive way. Hypnotherapy can help with beating addictions and more importantly can also help people develop a new mindset to help naturally manage their weight through re-framing beliefs and attitudes and behaviours around diet and exercise in a much safer and more positive way
Trevor Wales. Dip Hyp. GQHP. BWRT. GHR. CRSST. CNHC.
