What to Do if You’re Struggling with an Eating Disorder: A Guide to Finding Help and Healing

Eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder, are complex mental health conditions that can profoundly affect an individual’s physical and emotional well-being. These disorders often involve a complicated relationship with food, body image, and self-esteem, making them difficult to overcome without the right support. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, it’s important to understand that help is available and recovery is possible.

In this blog post, we’ll explore what eating disorders are, how to recognise the signs, and steps to take if you’re struggling. We’ll also discuss how medical cannabis may be an effective part of the treatment plan for some individuals and how MARUCANNA can help by providing medical cannabis prescriptions for this condition.

Understanding eating disorders

Eating disorders are not simply about food; they are often a manifestation of deeper emotional, psychological, or environmental factors. These conditions can disrupt an individual’s life, affecting relationships, work, and overall well-being.

Here are the most common types of eating disorders:

1. Anorexia Nervosa: Characterised by an extreme fear of gaining weight, individuals with anorexia may restrict their food intake to the point of severe malnutrition. They often see themselves as overweight, even if they are dangerously underweight.
2. Bulimia Nervosa: People with bulimia experience cycles of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviours such as vomiting, excessive exercise, or fasting to avoid weight gain.
3. Binge Eating Disorder: This disorder involves episodes of consuming large quantities of food in a short period, often in response to stress or emotional triggers. Unlike bulimia, individuals with binge eating disorder do not engage in purging behaviours.
4. Orthorexia: While not officially recognised as a formal diagnosis, orthorexia refers to an obsessive focus on eating only healthy foods, often to the detriment of one’s physical and mental health.

Recognising the signs of an eating disorder

Eating disorders can manifest in various ways, and recognising the signs early is crucial for effective intervention. Common warning signs may include:

• There is an intense obsession with weight, body size, or food.
• Skipping meals or avoiding social situations involving food
• Dramatic weight loss or fluctuations
• Excessive exercise or other compensatory behaviours (e.g., vomiting, misuse of laxatives)
• Social withdrawal, anxiety, or depression
• Physical symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, or fainting are present.

If you notice these signs in yourself or a loved one, it’s important to seek help from a healthcare professional. Eating disorders can have serious consequences for both physical and mental health, and early treatment improves the chances of recovery.

Steps to take if you’re struggling with an eating disorder

1. Acknowledge the Issue: The first step in recovery is recognising that there’s a problem. If you’ve been struggling with food, body image, or eating patterns, understanding that help is available is key to beginning the healing process.
2. Seek Professional Support: Reaching out to a healthcare provider or mental health professional is vital. Psychologists, psychiatrists, and specialised therapists can provide therapy options, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which has been shown to be effective for treating eating disorders.
3. Talk to Loved Ones: If you feel comfortable, talking to family or friends can provide much-needed emotional support. Having a strong support system can make a significant difference during recovery.
4. Consider Medical Treatment: If co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety or depression are present, doctors may recommend medication in some cases to help manage the symptoms of an eating disorder.
5. Practice Self-Compassion: Recovery from an eating disorder is often a long and difficult journey. It’s important to practice self-compassion and understand that setbacks may occur. Be patient with yourself, and remember that healing takes time.

How medical cannabis can help with eating disorders

While traditional therapies and medications are often the mainstay in treating eating disorders, medical cannabis has emerged as a potential complementary treatment for some individuals. Cannabis contains cannabinoids like CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) to regulate mood, stress, and appetite.

Here’s how medical cannabis may help those with eating disorders:

1. Reducing anxiety and stress

Anxiety and stress often accompany eating disorders, whether it’s the anxiety about food, body image, or daily life. Cannabis, particularly CBD, has shown promise in reducing anxiety, which can help individuals feel more in control and less overwhelmed by the emotional components of their eating disorder.

2. Appetite stimulation

In cases like anorexia nervosa or other restrictive eating disorders, individuals often have a diminished appetite. Cannabis contains THC, a cannabinoid that stimulates appetite, commonly known as the “munchies.” This can be helpful for individuals who struggle to maintain a healthy weight due to a lack of interest in food.

3. Improving sleep

Eating disorders can interfere with sleep patterns, whether due to anxiety, stress, or physical discomfort. Research demonstrates that cannabis enhances the quality and length of sleep, assisting individuals in re-establishing their innate sleep cycles and mitigating the adverse effects of insomnia.

4. Managing depression and mood swings

Eating disorders often co-occur with depression and mood swings. Cannabis has mood-enhancing effects, with CBD particularly helpful in promoting feelings of calm and well-being. It can be an adjunctive treatment for managing these emotional symptoms that often accompany eating disorders.

5. Pain and inflammatory relief

Some eating disorders, such as bulimia, can cause physical symptoms like digestive discomfort, inflammation, or stomach pain. Cannabis has anti-inflammatory properties and can help relieve some of these physical issues, providing comfort and aiding in overall healing.

How to get a cannabis prescription from MARUCANNA

If you’re considering medical cannabis as a treatment option for an eating disorder, it’s important to work with a qualified healthcare provider. MARUCANNA is a clinic that specialises in providing medical cannabis prescriptions to individuals in need of alternative treatments. Here’s how you can begin your journey with MARUCANNA:

1. Consult with a Doctor: Schedule a consultation with a healthcare provider who can assess your situation and discuss your eating disorder and associated symptoms. This will help determine if medical cannabis could be a beneficial part of your treatment plan.
2. Receive a Prescription: If your doctor determines that cannabis could help you, they will provide a prescription for medical cannabis tailored to your needs. This prescription may include cannabis oils, capsules, or vaporised products.
3. Ongoing Support: After receiving your prescription, MARUCANNA offers follow-up appointments to monitor your progress. Your doctor will adjust your treatment plan as needed to ensure you are receiving the best possible care.

Conclusion

Struggling with an eating disorder is incredibly challenging, but recovery is possible with the right support and treatment. In addition to therapy and traditional treatments, medical cannabis can provide a complementary solution for managing anxiety, stimulating appetite, improving sleep, and alleviating mood swings. If you’re considering medical cannabis as a treatment option, MARUCANNA can help by providing a personalised prescription and support throughout your recovery journey.

Remember, reaching out for help is the first step toward healing, and you don’t have to face this journey alone. With the right treatment, both conventional and complementary, you can control your recovery and work toward a healthier future.