Counseling

The following is edited from Josh McDowell’s Handbook on Counseling Youth:

ANOREXIA

THE PROBLEM

                Most often among adolescent girls, males may also be victims.  About a million of the eight million victims of an eating disorder in the U.S. are males.

THE CAUSES

·         Pain

The cycle always begins with pain.  That pain can have its origin in family issues, or low self-esteem. 

·         Perfectionism

The anorexic believes he or she should be- must be- perfect.  The perfectionism engendered often adds to a young person’s frustration, contributing to the cycle of pain that leads to the development of an eating disorder.

·         Need for Control

The eating disorder also often represents a symbolic expression of the need for control, even if it is control only over the youth’s own body.  To the anorexic, obsessive and sometimes highly ritualistic patterns of eating- or not eating- sometimes represents a way of bringing order out of chaos.

·         Faulty Thinking

“I can use my eating disorder as a scapegoat now.  If people reject me, I can say it’s because I’m anorexic…If I give up this eating disorder, I’ll have nothing safe on which to blame rejection.”

THE EFFECT

               Social Withdrawal.  The cycle of deceit, as well as the guilt and shame the behavior produces lead many to withdraw from friends and family.  The become loners, preferring to eat-or not eat- alone.  

THE BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE

                At its root anorexia is a response to pain (caused by trauma, etc…).  It may be related to perfectionism or low self-esteem and is often a result of a dysfunctional family situation.  The anorexic’s pain is felt by God (Isa 53:3-4), and can be healed by Him (Ps. 147:3). 

THE RESPONSE

                LISTEN.  Ask how she feels about herself, about her eating habits.  Talk with her parents; ask them what patterns they have seen, if they have talked to the youth                               about her eating habits, and with what result.

                EMPATHIZE.  Reflect with key statements (“You feel…” or “You’re saying…”)

                AFFIRM.  Since the source of the anorexic’s disorder may be a self-image and self-esteem problem, carefully and prayerfully focus on affirming the young person’s                                sense of value and worth.  Concentrate on creating an accepting, loving relationship in which the youth can develop a sense of security and belonging. 

                DIRECT.  Anorexia is a complex problem and presents considerable challenge for the most competent professional counselor. 

1.     Prompt the youth to recognize and admit the problem.

2.     Encourage dependence on God.

3.     Involve the young person’s parents.

4.     Help the young person discuss the causes of the problem.

5.     Prompt recognition of the false beliefs that promote her behavior.

6.     Help the young person formulate a daily plan for combating his or her disorder.

7.     Encourage the youth to identify vulnerable times and develop a battle plan for such times.

8.     Enlist the support of others.

9.     Help the youth accept the fact that change will take time. 

                ENLIST.  You cannot force an anorexic to recover; he or she must be an active participant.