Inside Out is the result of Nadia Shivack's attempt to overcome her eating disorder. The memoir was created in graphic novel form, making it equally disturbing and revealing.

"Chronicled on napkins, notebook paper, or whatever scrap was available, Nadia's story unfolds as she endures it. She refers to her eating disorder as 'Ed', draws it as a dragon, and details its hold on her life and sanity starting at age fourteen."

Inside Out will speak to victims of eating disorders, and well as family members and friends. The artwork often describes visually the pain and inner turmoil that can't be described with mere words. Read more at SchoollibraryJournal.com.

The best boarding schools can be found at TeenBoardingSchools.com. Find all kinds of therapeutic boarding schools for girls and boys.

Labels: describing_eating_disorders, overcoming_an_eating_disorder, surviving

One of the signs that many doctors look for when diagnosing eating disorders in young girls is "secondary amenorrhea", or the starting and stopping of the menstrual cycle. A recent study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill warns that if a girl has irregular menstruation, eating disorders should be "on the radar".

"Nearly 80 percent of women with anorexia reported secondary amenorrhea, meaning they had begun having periods before age 16 but had stopped menstruating for at least three months in a row at least once. About 36 percent of women with bulimia nervosa had secondary amenorrhea."

The study's findings indicated that, though eating disorder subtypes can't be distinguished simply by a patient's menstrual status, irregularities should be a red flag.

Read more at nlm.nih.gov.

Labels: amenorrhea, diagnosis, signs_of_eating_disorders

Eating disorders are most commonly associated with women and young girls. But a recent study by Harvard researchers shows that eating disorders among men and boys may be more prevalent than previously thought.

"In the male population, adolescents and young adults are at greatest risk for eating disorders. Although the risk factors and signs of eating disorders are very similar in both males and females... the condition is more frequently overlooked and less likely to be diagnosed and treated in males. One reason for this is that most research, general information, and media attention is focused on the female patients with eating disorders."

Previously, it was estimated that eating disorders occurred ten times more often among women than men. The Harvard study, however, states that a ratio of 3-to-1 is more accurate. Read more at News.Nurse.com.

Boys struggling with their emotions coupled with learning disorders often lash out at the very people who are trying to help them. Stone Mountain School is a boys boarding school that can teach boys to control their emotions and also help with ADD, ADHD, and other learning disorders.

Labels: boys, diagnosis, manorexia

The FDA recently approved the drug Alli for use as an over-the-counter diet drug. Some are concerned that the pill may be abused by people with eating disorders.

"Because it's been approved by the FDA, people think it's safe. But if patients are already at a healthy weight and are using Alli as part of their eating disorder, then it is not safe."

Alli contains the same ingredients as the prescription drug Xenical, but at half the dosage - which is why it can be sold over the counter. It works by blocking the body’s absorption of fat. Read more at NewsWise.com.

Teen abuse of prescription drugs is on the rise and parents need to be aware of the signs. Visit DrugRehabTreatment.com to learn more about Teen Prescription Drug Abuse.

Labels: dieting, drugs, pills

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto recently conducted a survey to determine the accuracy of the Children's Eating Attitudes Test in identifying preteens who are at risk of eating disorders. The test was given to 409 girls who were then interviewed.

"The questionnaire, which the girls filled out themselves, overestimated the prevalence of disordered eating behaviors, which included dieting. Colton explained that this is likely because at this young age it was difficult for them to distinguish on their own between actually going on a diet and thinking about doing so."

Girls who reported being on diets were, on average, heavier than their peers who weren't dieting. Dr. Patricia Colton called the finding "troubling" because dieting has not been shown to be an effective way for young girls to lose weight. Read more at Reuters.com.

Outdoor education therapy programs are especially effective with preteens struggling with emotional and behavioral issues. Learn more about outdoor education programs at WildernessProgramsInfo.com and about outdoor therapy at BootCampsInfo.com.

Labels: causes of eating disorders, dieting, mental_health

A pro-eating disorder web site is a place where unhealthy eating (or non-eating) habits are encouraged. Many teens who want to loose weight find their way to these sites, which reinforce negative body image and low self-esteem.

"Potentially dangerous venues include Web sites where people who engage in disordered eating gather to discuss their activities. A majority of these sites have sections where people share tips and techniques 'that I would consider as a physician fairly harmful,' [Dr. Rebecca] Peebles said."

Dr. Peebles conducted a study from 1997 to 2004 in which she found that 41% of teen patients had visited a pro-eating disorder Web site. Of these patients, half of their parents had no idea they were visiting the Web sites. Read more at HonoluluAdvertiser.com.

Eating disorders may be not be the only issue facing your teen. An adolescent residential treatment program can help get to the root of your teen's problems and create a treatment plan. Learn more about residential treatment programs for teens, like The Aspen Insitute of Behavioral Assessment, at www.aspenassessment.com.

Labels: influences, pro-ana, pro-mia

In North Carolina, mental health-related insurance reform is one step closer to becoming reality. Called the "mental health parity bill", it would require private insurers to cover treatment of psychiatric diseases like eating disorders and schizophrenia. The measure was unanimously passed by the Senate Health Committee on Wednesday and will now be voted on by the full Senate.

"The North Carolina bill is considered a major reform and a step toward ending discrimination against those with psychiatric diseases by mental health providers and advocates."

Coverage for hospital stays and office visits can be limited for most mental health issues except nine that are considered the most serious. Read more at News-Record.com.

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Labels: insurance, mental_health, treatment

Buddhist "mindfulness" is a technique of developing a healthy acceptance of oneself and an awareness of one's response to emotions. It's a technique extolled by - among others - the Dalai Lama and that is being studied by Australian researchers as a possible treatment for eating disorders.

"[Michelle] Hanisch and [Angela] Morgan provided mindfulness therapy to 30 women suffering from bulimia, aged from 19 to early 60s, two hours a week for eight weeks... Morgan reveals that the women who went through the program showed 'clinically significant' progress and had made further improvement a month later."

The two researchers will present their findings at the World Congress of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies in Barcelona, Spain in July. Read more at News.com.au.

Students at Mount Bachelor Academy also practice mindfulness therapy as a tool for emotional growth and development of the critical thinking skills necessary to make appropriate choices. Visit www.mtba.com to learn more about their emotional growth boarding school program.

Labels: research, therapy, treatment

The San Francisco non-profit organization About-Face is determined to undo some of the damage that's being done by the ever-present images of ultra-thin, tan, blonde girls in the media and advertising campaigns.

"'We give them the tools they need in order to understand what they're seeing so that in a way they can start to inoculate themselves against any negative images that the media perpetuates,' says About-Face Executive Director Jennifer Berger, 'and there are plenty.'"

Rather than sitting around and talking about problems of self-image and eating disorders and the media's affects, the people at About-Face decided it was time to start doing something. This About-Face.org is creating two action-based groups that will create their own campaigns to speak out against negative messages in the media. Read more at SFGate.com.

Having a poor self-image can result in more than just an eating disorder. Kids with emotional and behavioral issues can benefit from Animal Assisted Therapy like Equine Therapy. Working with horses helps young people build their confidence and self-esteem. Learn more from Animal-AssistedTherapy.com.

Labels: body_image, media_influences, self-esteem

It's called FORM, which stands for 'Freedom Ordered Renewal Meditative Movement' and is a Pilates-type therapy that some facilities are using to help treat eating disorders. It's been found to help compulsive exercisers be more moderate in their routines while the deep breathing and stretching can relieve some of the aches and pains caused by eating disorders.

"Importantly, patients learn to distract from their eating disordered thoughts and behaviors and to relate to their bodies in a brand new, affirming manner. FORM is an excellent meditative outlet that benefits patients regardless of their faith."

Patients have given excellent evaluations of the therapy, stating that they're learning not to take their bodies for granted. Patients have also reported improvements in overall mood and stress relief.

Read more online.

Labels: education, therapy, treatment

Though it's not a medical term, nor is it a recognized disorder, the term "diabulimia" has been created to describe the practice of skipping insulin shots in order to lose weight. An estimated 450,000 people who have Type 1 diabetes are said to have resorted this dangerous weight loss tactic.

"Warning signs for diabulimia include a change in eating habits - typically someone who eats more but still loses weight - low energy and high blood-sugar levels... Frequent urination is another signal. When sugars are high, the kidneys work overtime to filter the excess glucose from the blood."

The dangers of skipping or reducing insulin intake are extreme for someone with Type 1 diabetes. Risks include falling into a coma, blindness, amputation, kidney failure and even death.

Read more at BeloitDailyNews.com.

Labels: death, diabetes, risks

The Fourth of July holiday usually means barbeques with friends and family, parades, fireworks, and lots of food. Anytime food and people mix, comments like "I'm going to have to work out extra hard after all this food" are almost inevitable. But rather than give in to those kinds of thoughts about food and body size, choose to make this 4th of July a new kind of Independence Day.

"I reflected on Independence Day, and what personal freedom really means in regards to modern day society and weight. To me, that's fostering a healthy body image by accepting myself and my food choices. This holiday, declare independence from stereotypes and celebrate by freeing your spirit!"

Make a conscious decision not to comment about other people or yourself based on body size or shape. Enjoy your favorite meal without feeling guilty. And if you get especially caught up in the moment, throw or put away your bathroom scale! Read more at AWeightLifted.Blogs.com.

Labels: body_image, guilt, holidays