Eating Disorder Presentation Shannon Tronzo, a Home Nursing Agency Counselor, gave an informative and extensive presentation to Hollidaysburg Area High School Students in April on Eating Disorders and the warnings signs. Diet, weight loss, Atkins, South Beach, these are all common words to hear over and over again in our culture obsessed with obtaining the “perfect body”. While maintaining a normal body weight is optimal for healthy living, the pressures of our culture, along with a combination of psychological, interpersonal, and biological factors, may create circumstances that promote the development of Eating Disorders. In the United States a conservative estimate indicates that after puberty 5-10 million girls and women and 1 million boys and men struggle with eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorders. Over a person's lifetime, at least 50,000 individuals will die as a direct result of their eating disorder. Because of the secretiveness and shame associated with these mental health disorders, many cases are probably not reported. Before approaching someone suspected to have an eating disorder, it is important that to be educated. Too many people believe that eating disorders are only about food and weight issues, when in reality, those are just the symptoms of underlying problems. Shannon also provides tips that someone should keep in mind when approaching someone. If you would like more information regarding Eating Disorders, or have any concerns about this subject, please feel free to call The Community Support Program at 814.943.0414. Anorexia Nervosa Anorexia nervosa is a serious, potentially life threatening eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss. Symptoms include: Refusal to maintain a body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for height, body type, age and activity level. Intense fear of weight gain or being “fat”. Feeling “fat” or overweight despite dramatic weight loss. Loss of menstrual periods in post puberty women and girls. Extreme concern with body weight and shape. Warning Signs of Anorexia Nervosa Dramatic weight loss. Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, fat grams, and dieting. Refusal to eat certain foods, progressing to restricting against whole categories of foods. Frequent comments about feeling “fat” or overweight despite weight loss. Denial of hunger. Development of food ritual (eating foods in a certain order, excessive chewing, rearranging food on a plate). Consistent excuses to avoid mealtime or situations involving food. Excessive, rigid exercise regime. Withdrawal from usual friends and activities. Bulimia Nervosa Bulimia nervosa is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by a secretive cycle of bingeing and purging. Symptoms include: Eating large quantities of food in short periods of time, often secretly, without regard to feelings of “fullness” or “hunger”, and to the point of feeling “out of control” while eating. Following these “binges” with some form of purging or compensatory behaviors to make up for the excessive calories taken in: Self induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic abuse, fasting, and or obsessive or compulsive exercise. Extreme concern with body weight and shape. Warning Signs of Bulimia Nervosa Evidence of binge eating, including disappearance of large amount of food in short periods of time or existence of wrappers and containers indicating the consumption of large amounts of food. Evidence of purging behaviors, including frequent trips to the bathroom after meals, signs, and/or smells of vomiting, presence of wrappers or packages of laxatives or diuretics. Excessive, rigid exercise regime. Unusually swelling of the cheeks and jaw line area. Calluses on the back of the hands and knuckles from self induced vomiting. Discoloration, staining of the teeth. Creation of complex lifestyle schedules or ritual to make for binge/purge sessions Withdrawal from usual friends and activates. Binge Eating Binge eating is characterized by primarily periods of uncontrolled, impulsive, or continuous eating beyond the point of feeling comfortable full. While there is no purging, there may be sporadic fasts or repitive diets and often feeling of shame or self-hatred after bingeing. Body weight may vary from normal to mildly, moderately, or severe obesity. While these behaviors may not be clinically considered a full syndrome eating disorder, they can still be physically dangerous and emotionally draining. All eating disorders require professional help. Approaching Someone You Suspect Has An Eating Disorder Before approaching someone you suspect has an eating disorder, it is imitative that you educate yourself. Too many people believe that eating disorders are only about food and weight issues, when in reality, those are just the symptoms of underlying problems. Below is a list of some things to keep in mind when approaching someone. Avoid talking about food and weight, those are no the real issues. Assure them that they are not alone and that you love them and want to help in any way that you can. Give the person time to talk and encourage them to verbalize feelings. Ask clarifying questions. Listen carefully; accept what is said in a non judgmental manner Do not argue about whether there is a problem or not-power struggles are not helpful. Perhaps say, “ I hear what you are saying and I hope you are right that this is not a problem, but I am still very worried about what I have seen and heard, and that is not going to go away.” Provide information about resources for treatment. Offer to go with the person and wait while they have their first appointment with a counselor, physician, or nutritionist. If you are concerned that the eating disorder is severe or life threatening, enlist the help of a doctor, therapist, counseling center, relative, or friend of the person before you intervene. Present a united and supportive front with others. Do not try to be a hero or a rescuer; you will probably be resented. If you do the best you can to help on several occasions and the person does not accept it, stop. Remind yourself that you have done all that is reasonable to do. Eating disorders are stubborn problems and treatment is most effective when the person is truly read for it. You may have planted a seed that helps them get ready. Eating disorders are usually not and emergency situation, but if the person is suicidal or otherwise in serious danger, GET PROFESSIONAL HELP IMMEDIATELY. If you would like more information regarding eating disorders, or have any concerns about this subject, please feel free to call The Community Support Program at 943-0414.
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