Pregorexia and Why it is Dangerous to Mothers and Children

Many different factors can contribute to the cause of an eating disorder.  Each woman who comes into the Victorian to seek help for their eating disorder has their own needs and personal history that gave rise to their disease.  Our professionals will help each individual determine why their eating disorder came about and how they can overcome it.

Although pregorexia may be an unfamiliar word, it has been around for a long time and is not new.  It is an eating disorder that is like anorexia, only it happens during pregnancy and afterward.  The obsession with image and the oftentimes unrealistic physiques of celebrities and those pictured in the media could be a factor in the interest of staying fit, even during and following pregnancy.  About 5% of women from all social and economic backgrounds suffer from pregorexia and the abnormal desire to forgo the physician recommended weight gain of 25-35 pounds during pregnancy.

Pregorexia Occurs at a Difficult Time in a Woman’s Life

Although being giving birth is one of the most joyous times of a woman’s life, pregnancy, carrying a child and giving birth can be very stressful.  Recent developments in the study of behaviors in women have identified disorders and the reasons they occur to equip obstetricians and family practitioners with the knowledge and tools they require to help those that previously suffered in silence.  They may not feel they are so much different than others who may be afflicted with the same symptoms of post-partum depression or other pregnancy-related issues.

Like those that suffer from anorexia, pregorexia sufferers feel shame and guilt.  This shame and guilt is enhanced by the heavy responsibility that she feels to her unborn child and the fear that others may judge her as someone who can not effectively care for her baby.

The doctor’s slim range in the recommended amount of weight gain is another issue that pregnant women have to deal with.  If she gains too much weight, it could cause problems, like diabetes, for both her and the baby.  If she gains too little weight, it could have damaging consequences, such as low birth weight, premature birth, and the increased likelihood of causing a range of developmental and physical problems, like:  

• Heart disease
• Anemia
• Rickets
• ADHD
• Poor growth and cognitive development
• Depression

Another subject that women who may suffer from pregorexia are confused about is exercise.  Physicians recommend that pregnant women exercise a moderate amount to sustain her physical and mental health and also to aid delivery and recovery. It is not recommended, however, that they exercise in order to control their weight.

Support in CA for Women That Suffer From Anorexia

The information we discussed previously, as well as the sometimes-confusing advice and recommendations by doctors, the media, and the individual’s own family all come together in a distinctive way for each pregorexic woman.

The Victorian Eating Disorder Treatment Center has a team of counselors on-site that have first-hand experience with pregorexia.  They are therefore uniquely qualified to sympathize with what pregorexic women are going through and treat them.  Our staff of eating disorder treatment professionals understands that the proper caring environment is necessary to reduce stress and provide immediate proper nutrition for her and her baby.  They diligently research and study various fitness and health goals for pregnant women and find that they sometimes may be in conflict with each other.  They have discovered that stress is a big enemy to a healthy pregnancy.  Therefore, a comfortable facility and setting is an important start and first step to overcoming anorexic eating and exercise patterns.

Treatment for Mothers That Are Also Substance Abusers

Our treatment center has a reputation for being the premier facility in the US for dual diagnosis, or co-occurring addictions, such being addicted to alcohol or drugs in addition to having an eating disorder.  The Victorian’s affiliation with Sober Living by the Sea’s rehabilitation programs means that we have 23 years of experience with the treatment and counseling of substance abuse.    

We Are Here to Help

We strive to make it as comfortable and easy as possible to contact us to seek more information or have your questions answered because it is impossible to help those who do not.  Call us right now at (888) 268-9182.  You do not have anything to risk.  Your call will be strictly confidential.  The admissions and intake team will be able to start screening you and perform an assessment over the phone.  It is the vital first step to treating you or someone you love for anorexia or pregorexia.

We have also provided a number of links to the right which are resources to better understand the causes of eating disorders.  It also is where you can learn how dual diagnoses are treated here, take the eating disorder quiz, or discover additional facts about other eating disorders such as bulimia or anorexia nervosa.