Eating Disorders in Adulthood

Because of the many stereotypes that are created about eating disorders, often through the distorted perception of the media, it can be generalized that eating disorders only affect young adolescent females.  However, this couldn’t be farther from the truth.  Eating Disorders can develop during times of transition or significant life changes, which can instigate feelings of vulnerability or emotional stress.  Adulthood often entails considerable transitional time periods, such as the birth of a child, children leaving the home, martial problems or the death of family members or friends, to name a few examples.  If a woman or a man is unable to cope with the emotions that may arise during these difficult life events, they may become susceptible to developing an eating disorder.

If you or someone you love is concerned about eating disorder habits, please read this article to learn more about adult eating disorders.  If an eating disorder is developing or progressing, it is important to be aware of the signs for early detection and treatment, such as increased amount of time spent exercising or engaging in extreme dieting, changes in social functioning, or drastic weight changes.  The keys for establishing freedom from an eating disorder are recognition, acceptance and reaching out for help. There is always hope for recovery from an eating disorder, no matter what your age or period of life you may be in. 

Understanding Co-Occurring Disorders

Dual-diagnoses are common in individuals struggling with addictive type illness, such as an eating disorder or substance abuse.  This means that if you or a loved one is recovering from an addictive disorder, you may also be at risk for developing a co-occurring issue, such as drug abuse, self-harm, or sexual addiction, that needs to be addressed to get to the root of the problem.  Research has shown that eating disorders, in specific, have the potential to create alterations in the brain’s reward system, which can increase the risk of other addictive illnesses developing, such as substance abuse. Commonalities to both substance abuse and eating disorders include compulsivity around addictive behaviors, feelings of powerlessness and unmanageability.  Also, having a family history of addictive disorders or history of trauma are overlapping factors that can also contribute to an increased risk.

Treatment options for co-occurring disorders include various forms of psychotherapy, music therapy, movement therapy, medication management, and individual/family therapy.  Other helpful models for recovery from co-occurring disorders include the 12 Step Program, which reinforces the necessary steps to take to overcome addiction and encourage overall wholesomeness.  Comprehensive treatment will ensure that any co-occurring issues that may be unresolved or hidden behind an eating disorder will be properly addressed to promote healing and recovery.  Learn more insight about this topic by listening to this blog talk radio post.

Imagine Me Beyond What You See

Creativity: a beautiful way to promote and foster positive body image and recovery from eating disorders. Simple, but profound. Through art and expression, individuals can explore and externalize their hopes, fears, goals, and ideas. The International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (iaedp) recently hosted the 2nd annual International Body Image Art Contest for professionals and individuals. To see the winner “She is a Tree of Life” (as well as honorable mentions) you can follow the press release—Imagine Me Beyond What You See.

Written by Rachel Bailey

Identifying a Loved One May Be Struggling with Bulimia

It is difficult to come to terms with any kind of health concern that a friend or family member suffers.  This difficulty is doubled when the suffering individual may not have acknowledged their own condition yet.  When that health condition may be an eating disorder, it can be a delicate subject to bring up, that requires respectful and caring discussion with the individual. The article Identifying a Loved One May Be Struggling with Bulimia is a great resource to consider if you are looking for some direction on how to handle your concerns about someone who may have bulimia.

Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center Names Hariclia Hristea, MD as Staff Psychiatrist

 
A treatment center is valued for the quality of its staff and treatment.  Get to know the leaders of an eating disorder treatment center and you will see the trickle down effect of their character, professionalism and devotion to the field in the doctors, nurses, therapists and support staff of the treatment center.  Many treatment centers offer a wide array of useful treatments for eating disorders, such as cognitive behavior therapy, dialectic behavior therapy, equine therapy, etc. but only a few treatment centers offer the commitment to excellence in their staff that Timberline Knolls does.  Please join us in warmly welcoming Dr. Hariclia Hristea to the staff of Timberline Knolls Resident Treatment Center.

Read the press release at:  http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/timberline-knolls-residential-treatment-center-names-hariclia-hristea-md-as-staff-psychiatrist-146813835.html

Eating Disorder Hope is honored to announce that Ranch 2300 is now listed in our exclusive National Eating Disorder Specialist Library

Residential treatment for eating disorders and related conditions (addiction, depression, anxiety, etc) is scarce in Texas.  Yet the need is great.  That is why we are particularly excited to announce that Ranch 2300 has opened, just outside of Lubbock, and is offering premiere treatment for anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and co-occurring disorders.  We hope you will check out Ranch 2300 and help us welcome their needed services to Texas!

Vogue Mom Encourages Daughter to Lose Weight: Helpful or Harmful Approach?

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We are constantly bombarded with messages from the media that we should be thin and lean, and preferably, look like one of the models in magazines, on TV, on billboards, etc.  Sadly, many kids face this pressure at home, too.  Well meaning parents, alarmed by concern about their child's weight and health, often resort to imposed food restriction and diets to help their child "be healthy", "fit in", etc.

This can be problematic because once dieting and food restriction are enforced, it is not uncommon for the child to then develop a tormented relationship with food that can lead to eating disorders, body image disturbances and depression.

On that note, please read Dr. Kimberly Dennis' thoughts about the recent controversy over the Vogue mother's efforts to help her daughter lose weight

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Make a Pledge to Honor Yourself over Spring Break

The emerging Spring Season beckons a fresh start, new beginnings, and a long awaited relief from winter’s blues.  Many students across the country look forward to this season in particular, due to the much anticipated Spring Break.  However, if you are struggling with an eating disorder or valiantly attempting to stay the course in your recovery, this time may bring more challenges than feelings of hope.  Often associated with Spring Break is an incessant need for dieting, a pressing urge to attain an unrealistic standard of body perfection to fill the molds of bikinis and bathing suits.  While spring break is intended to be a time of relaxation and rest, for many it alternately becomes a destructive period of crash dieting, binges, and depression episodes.  This spring break set yourself up for success by committing to honor yourself, your body, and your recovery, refusing to give into the “I’ve got to lose weight before Spring Break” mentality.  Consider signing the Spring Break Pledge 2012, choosing to approach this spring break in healthier ways!

What is something positive you can do for yourself over your spring break?

Eating Disorder Hope is now on Pinterest!

At Eating Disorder Hope, we advocate the promotion of eating disorder awareness and recovery.  Our recent involvement in Pinterest has allowed us to display important facets of this mission, such as positive affirmations, beautiful body image inspirations, and encouragement for the recovery journey.  This comes at a crucial time, particularly as social media is increasingly utilized as a means of negatively deterring the hope for recovery.  As a counteract to the "thinspo" promotions on Pinterest, Eating Disorder Hope welcomes you to follow and share our Pinterest page and associated boards to help spread the message of hope and freedom that is found in recovery.

Please check out our Pinterest Page at: http://pinterest.com/edhope/

What are you doing to spread the message of recovery today?

March 15, 2012 Eating Disorder Hope Newsletter Published

Eating Disorder Hope Newsletter, March 15, 2012 is now published @ https://app.verticalresponse.com/app/emails/email/view/1473549749#view_as_html