Eating Disorders: How Can I Recover From Purging Disorder?
There is a traditional Hawaiin proverb that goes, “Kuhi no ka lima, hele no ka maka.” This translates to “where the hands go, lets the eyes go as well.” This means that action is essential if there is going to be any hope for growth. This is especially apt when it comes to recovery from eating disorders like purging disorder. The critical component to remember is that recovery takes action. After that, it comes down to staying the course and having faith in the support of family, peers, and professionals. The good news is there is hope, and there are many effective forms of help.
Healing at the Cellular Level
Healing at the cellular level is all about healing holistically. However, what exactly does that mean? It is true that “holistic” has become a buzzword as of late. Holistic in the truest sense of the world is the whole interconnectedness of the self. This means that the physical is connected to the emotional, the emotional is connected to the mental, the mental is connected to the spiritual, and any variations thereof. Essentially, one cannot fully heal one aspect of one’s being without healing the others.
Healing at the cellular level is also about getting to the underlying issues of one’s struggles. For those with purging disorder, it would not be so much about the behaviors of the disorder but rather where those behaviors manifest. These root/core causes must be addressed if holistic healing is to occur.
Healing at the cellular level also takes very specific recovery plans. This means that these plans should always be individualized and comprehensive.
Individualized care is critical. As the Father of Western medicine, Hippocrates, famously said, “It is more important to know what sort of person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has.”
Comprehensive care is also critical. It is important to take a multi-angled approach to recovery that utilizes all areas of treatment. This includes psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), experiential therapies like nature immersion therapy, surf therapy, and art therapy, and holistic healing methods like yoga therapy and meditation. This comprehensive care is particularly critical for helping individuals with eating disorders like purging disorder.
Better Understanding Eating Disorders
Eating disorders remain a prevalent and serious problem in the U.S. and around the world. Many people are aware of eating disorders but are less clear on specific details. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “There is a commonly held misconception that eating disorders are a lifestyle choice. Eating disorders are actually serious and often fatal illnesses that are associated with severe disturbances in people’s eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions. Preoccupation with food, body weight, and shape may also signal an eating disorder.”
There are also many other aspects of eating disorders that people fail to realize. One is that there are many different types of eating disorders, not just the more commonly known ones like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. There are also eating disorders like purging disorders.
The Types of Eating Disorders
Eating disorders exist on a large spectrum of type and severity. According to NIMH, “Common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder. Each of these disorders is associated with different but sometimes overlapping symptoms. People exhibiting any combination of these symptoms may have an eating disorder and should be evaluated by a health care provider.”
Then there are less common but just as damaging eating disorders like purging disorders. Purging disorder also has many of the same overarching signs and symptoms as the more common eating disorders.
The Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders
It should be noted that the signs and symptoms of eating disorders will vary depending on the individual and their specific situation. However, there are also many universal signs and symptoms that manifest in people with eating disorders. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:
- Isolating away from friends and family
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Purposefully skipping meals
- Having eating rituals like chewing one’s food a certain amount of times
- Using excessive weight-loss supplements and substances like laxatives
- Losing or gaining an extreme amount of weight in a short amount of time
- Feeling excessively anxious and/or depressed
- Exhibiting regular mood swings
- Using alcohol and/or substances as coping mechanisms
- Struggling with other comorbidities of mental health
- Committing self-harm
- Having suicidal ideations
As one can see, these are pretty scary and significant side effects. This is why if any, many, or all of these side effects are present, it is highly advised that professional help be sought sooner rather than later. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences.
Getting to the Root/Core Causes of One’s Eating Disorder
As previously mentioned, getting to the root/core causes of one’s issues is critical. This is especially true with eating disorders like purging disorder. Often, these root/core causes are wrapped up in some form of trauma.
Many people don’t realize just how prevalent underlying trauma actually is. According to the peer-reviewed journal Psychological Medicine, “General population studies have shown that a large proportion of people in developed countries have been exposed to at least one TE in their lifetime (estimates from 28 to 90%), with the most common events being the unexpected death of a loved one, motor vehicle accidents and being mugged. Much more limited evidence for less developed countries suggests that fatalities due to injuries and accidents are more common in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries; for example, road injuries are the 10th leading cause of lost years of life in developed countries and the 8th leading cause in developing countries.”
It should also be noted that many people with eating disorders also struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the National Center for PTSD, “About 6 out of every 100 people (or 6% of the U.S. population) will have PTSD at some point in their lives… About 5 out of every 100 adults (or 5%) in the U.S. has PTSD in any given year. In 2020, about 13 million Americans had PTSD.” These root/core causes are also present in those with purging disorder.
Better Understanding Purging Disorder
Purging disorder is very serious. According to the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, “One notable change to the DSM–5 was the inclusion of Purging Disorder (PD) as one specified type within OSFED. PD is characterized by recurrent purging behavior (i.e., self-induced vomiting, laxative, and/or diuretic abuse) to influence shape or weight in the absence of objective binge eating episodes (OBEs; i.e., eating an unusually large amount of food and experiencing a concurrent sense of loss of control). Purging behavior is a particularly concerning clinical phenomenon in EDs, as it is associated with medical problems across body systems, including metabolic disturbances, electrolyte imbalances, edema, dental problems, esophageal tears and oral bleeding, swollen salivary glands, and musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal problems.”
There is still some debate on how to classify purging disorder. According to the peer-reviewed journal Current Opinion in Psychiatry, “Purging disorder may occupy a space that falls between anorexia and bulimia nervosa, making it ‘not quite’ anorexia and ‘not quite’ bulimia and difficult to reliably distinguish from each. Improved recognition and understanding of PD requires more research specifically designed to test models of risk and maintenance factors to advance interventions for those who purge without binge eating.” However, regardless of classification, purging disorder needs specific treatments for full recovery.
These treatments must be individualized and comprehensive. They should also focus on nutritional elements.
Purging Disorder Recovery: Nutritional Therapy
Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we have a saying, “Food is medicine.” This is because we know the crucial nature of a healthy diet on one’s well-being. This is especially true for those individuals with eating disorders like purging disorder.
Nutritional therapy is about as much as what one leaves out of their diet as what they put into it. According to the Journal for Nurse Practitioners (JPN), “Nutritional Therapy uses food to prevent and reverse diseases that plague most western societies: diabetes, obesity, heart disease, arthritis, and depression. In order for food to be therapeutic, it must be nutrient-dense, measured in part by the nutrients and anti-nutrients, contained in consumed foods. Nutrients are plant and animal sources providing macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, fat), micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, antioxidants, probiotics), and fiber,” and “Anti-Nutrients are food products that have no biological necessity.”
While nutrition is essential for recovery at the cellular level, it is important to also consider quality, satiation, and enjoyment. This is why we have world-class chefs tailor-make our meals for each customer while utilizing local and organic products.
Purging Disorder Recovery: Psychotherapy
Another realm of recovery that is vital for healing at the cellular level from purging disorder is psychotherapy, specifically, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
CBT is an essential therapy to get to the root/core causes of one’s negative behaviors, like purging. It is also about changing the way one negatively views oneself and the world around them.
According to the peer-reviewed journal Cognitive Therapy and Research, “Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) refers to a class of interventions that share the basic premise that mental disorders and psychological distress are maintained by cognitive factors. The core premise of this treatment approach, as pioneered by Beck (1970) and Ellis (1962), holds that maladaptive cognitions contribute to the maintenance of emotional distress and behavioral problems. According to Beck’s model, these maladaptive cognitions include general beliefs, or schemas, about the world, the self, and the future, giving rise to specific and automatic thoughts in particular situations.” Another category of helpful therapies is experiential therapies.
Purging Disorder Recovery: Experiential Therapies
There are many different types of experiential therapies. Two that we focus on at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab for eating disorder recovery are nature immersion therapy and surf therapy.
Nature immersion therapy is all about helping one reconnect to oneself by reconnecting to nature. There are also many specific benefits. According to the National Park Service, “5 minutes walking in nature improves mood, self-esteem, and relaxation. Frequent exposure to nature reduces anxiety and depression, while promoting a sense of wellbeing and fulfillment.” Also, “Physical activity in a green space can reduce stress and lower cortisol levels by 15%.”
Surf therapy can also be highly beneficial. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Carefully planned water activities tailored to the needs of the individual can contribute to correct psychosocial and cognitive development. The International Surf Therapy Organization summarizes the benefits of adequately indicated surf therapy as follows: improved physical health and mobility; improved mental health, including reduction of specific symptoms, such as posttraumatic stress and depression; improved well-being (strengthening of trust and confidence, encouragement of independence, resilience and protective coping strategies) and improved social skills.”
Purging Disorder Recovery: Horticulture Therapy
Another experiential therapy that is unique to us here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab is horticulture therapy. Walking onto the 30-acre luxury property right on the Hamakua Coast, individuals are greeted with a bounty of horticulture potential. From citrus trees to guava bushes, we have many options to engage with the earth and get one’s hands dirty.
Horticulture therapy also offers a myriad of benefits. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “People’s interactions with plants, through goal-orientated horticultural activities in the form of active gardening, as well as the passive appreciation of nature, could be therapeutic to people with mental disorders in many ways. First, horticulture could have emotional benefits, such as reducing stress, reducing psychiatric symptoms, stabilizing mood, and increasing the sense of tranquility, spirituality, and enjoyment. Second, it could help people to reduce fatigue and restore attention and cognitive ability.” Other highly effective therapies that can help with purging disorder are yoga therapy and meditation.
Purging Disorder Recovery: Yoga Therapy and Meditation
The iconic yogi and philosopher B.K.S. Iyengar said, “Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind, and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open.” This is where yoga therapy can be essential for recovery, in freeing oneself from the physical and emotional turmoil brought about by purging disorder.
Yoga therapy can be particularly beneficial. According to the International Journal of Yoga (IJOY), “Therapeutic yoga is defined as the application of yoga postures and practice to the treatment of health conditions. Yoga therapy involves instruction in yogic practices and teachings to prevent reduce or alleviate structural, physiological, emotional, and spiritual pain, suffering, or limitations. Yogic practices enhance muscular strength and body flexibility, promote and improve respiratory and cardiovascular function, promote recovery from and treatment of addiction, reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, improve sleep patterns, and enhance overall well-being and quality of life.”
When one utilizes any, many, or all of the means, methods, and modalities previously mentioned, the chances of healing from purging disorder go up exponentially. This is why we offer such comprehensive recovery plans at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab.
Healing at the Cellular Level With Exclusive Hawaii Rehab
Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we believe in long-term recovery over short-term “fixes.” This is how one heals from purging disorder at the cellular level.
It is important to remember the previously mentioned Hawaiin maxim, “Kuhi no ka lima, hele no ka maka.” Because, when action happens in recovery, the chances of positive results are not far behind.
One should always remember that recovery is about the journey and never the destination. It is going to be an amazing journey, and it is one that can start right here on the Hamakua Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island.
Exclusive Hawaii Rehab is uniquely qualified to treat eating disorders in Hawaii and help people heal at the cellular level. This includes those struggling with purging disorder. There are many effective means, methods, and modalities that can help someone fully recover from purging disorder. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the positive path toward long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. There is hope. For more information about purging disorder and how to heal at the cellular level, please reach out to Exclusive Hawaii Rehab today at (808) 775-0200.