It's well-known that college can either trigger or exacerbate eating disorders in those who are prone to the condition. Despite this, many universities fail to offer adequate support. In the Feb. 2 edition of The Daily Cardinal, University of Wisconsin-Madison student Emily Sutter took the school to task for its lack of support.

If you enter UHS [University Health Services] counseling services meeting the criteria for anorexia, bulimia, or eating disorder not otherwise specified, they will very kindly show you the door letting you know that they do not treat eating disorders while giving you a list of therapists in the area that do.

For someone who is unsure about treatment, that is typically the end of the road. Seeking help for an eating disorder is a terrifying experience, and having a door shut in your face provides little motivation to take that step again. ...

Living with an eating disorder is very lonely, and for the longest time I felt ashamed. It is so comforting to finally be surrounded by people who relate to what I am feeling. In group, I do not have to hide anything or fear that I will be judged.

I do not ever have to worry that my support group will shut a door in my face and say, "sorry, we wont help you," like UHS has done to so many suffering with eating disorders. We are fed up (yes, pun intended) with this type of response to our outreach for help. A change needs to happen now before someone loses his or her life to an eating disorder.

Labels: colleges, support

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For students who are struggling with behaviors disorder, eating disorders, substance abuse problems, depression and related challenges, leaving home and heading to college can be a particularly daunting experience.

Over the past ten years, demand for student counseling services has increased dramatically at college campuses across the United States. A 2007 survey at Penn State found that 10 percent of its students were currently, or at one time had been, on some type of psychiatric medication.

"In response to demand, mental health professionals say theyve expanded their services and do extensive outreach on campus to reach more students," Pennsylvania newspaper The Evening Sun reported. "They also train faculty, staff and resident assistants to be on the lookout for students in crisis."

Campus mental health counselors are also beginning to specialize in topics such as depression and eating disorders. Counselors are available to talk not only to kids who need help, but also to those who are concerned that a student they know may be in trouble.

Labels: college_students, support, counseling

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Kaylin Ohler says the news that her friend Hilary Pyle died from anorexia took her breath away. Kaylin, 20, and Hilary, 19, had become friends while in the same eating disorder treatment program.

According to a Nov. 25 article on the website of Omaha-based ABC affiliate KETV, Ohler hopes to use her story  and that of her lost friend  to raise awareness about anorexia and help others who are also struggling with eating disorders:

Ohler said she and Pile formed a special bond after meeting in an anorexia treatment program. She said her personal battle started in fifth grade when she started studying food labels instead of doing her homework.

"I always just kind of had a low self-esteem and it was a way for me to feel better about myself and gain some control," she said.

She said she still struggles with the disease."As far as telling somebody to just stop, just eat, I wish it was that simple, but it's not," Ohler said.

Between studies at [the University of Nebraska at Omaha], Ohler said she plans to start support groups and help build more awareness about anorexia. In the meantime, she said she wears a bracelet everyday that was a gift from her old friend.

Labels: awareness, support

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Supermodel Kate Moss has received widespread criticism for a Nov. 18 comment that has been associated with encouraging unhealthy eating habits.

When asked what her motto is, Moss said Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels, a phrase that is popular on pro-ana websites that promote self-starvation.

In a Nov. 19 article on the website of the British newspaper The Sun, Deanne Jade (founder of the UKs National Centre for Eating Disorders) explained the danger in Moss comment:

The problem with soundbites such as this is that they become a mantra and have a power over you.

Kate's connection with Topshop [a chain of British clothing stores] means that she has become a style icon for millions of young women in the UK.

Young girls are her market and they are very suggestible and vulnerable.

For Kate to say what she has done is just one more nail in the coffin for those young women who are trying to hold on to their self-esteem no matter what their size is.

Labels: support, pro-ana, celebrities

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A growing number of experts believe that parental involvement improves a teenager's ability to recover from an eating disorder. This philosophy represents a dramatic change from previous prevailing attitudes about teens and eating disorders.

The thinking about the causes of eating disorders and their treatment has come full circle, [Dr. Ovidio] Bermudez said. Many years ago, experts blamed eating disorders on controlling mothers and distant fathers, among other theories. But today they generally concur that the disorders are not due to those factors. (Source: KTVN News, Nevada)

A recent study involving 80 teens with bulimia found that recovery rates were twice as high among those who had family support. Other studies have found recovery rates as high as 75 in teenagers whose family supported them through their struggle with anorexia.

Labels: support, parents, teens

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The National Eating Disorders Association has launched a powerful and provocative new advertising campaign that forces readers to see eating disorders from a unique perspective: Through the eyes of someone suffering with the disease.

"This ad campaign is thought-provoking, even aggressive, and not likely to be ignored in a magazine or on a bus shelter. It's meant to evoke strong emotions, to encourage people to educate themselves and to get the help they need."

One of the images is a bathroom scale with a single bean on it and a caption that reads "It Weights Almost Nothing. Just like the Girl Who's Having it for Lunch." Source: 24-7 Press Release

Labels: support, education, perceptions

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For people with eating disorders, food-related anxiety is a common struggle. A new computer program aims to help eating disorder sufferers learn to recognize signs of anxiety and manage them.

"When you get stressed out, your palms get sweaty and your hands get cold. [The program] measures that and it also measures your heart rate... Stress levels are displayed with symbols like balloons. Through deep breathing relaxation techniques, people are taught to control anxiety..."

The program is viewed as a bridge, helping people cross over from feelings of anxiety or a loss of control to the realization that they can control their emotions and their eating habits. Source: WBZTV (Boston)

Labels: anxiety, support, stress

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Susan Barry knows all too well that eating disorders don't affect only girls and women. Her son died of anorexia at the age of 22.

"About 10 percent of the eight million people in the United States who have an eating disorder are men, though many of them go undiagnosed and suffer in silence, according to Judy Teffer of the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders."

Awareness of male anorexia is on the rise, thanks in large part to people like Barry who are willing to share their experiences. Barry currently writing a book about her son's battle with anorexia and poor body image, which started when he was in the eighth grade. Source: The Flint (MI) Journal

Labels: diagnosis, men, support

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New Zealand TV host Alison Mau remembers what it's like to be young and obsessed with physical appearance. As a teenager, she struggled with self-image and tried a number of crash diets in order to lose weight.

"With her daughter Paris, 10, entering her tweens, Alison is well aware of how important positive messages about a problem which can plague adolescent girls can be... 'There are far more important things to think about, and more enjoyable things to think about, than what you look like.'"

Mau shared her experiences in an effort to support the Eating Difficulties Education Network (EDEN) which designated Oct. 15 as Love Your Body day. Mau encouraged anyone who thinks they have body image or eating disorder issues to get help immediately.Source: New Zealand Sunday News

Labels: treatment, support, TV

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In an effort to reduce the risk of eating disorders among its students, Harvard University is removing calorie counters from its dining hall.

"The school posted a blog on the issue: 'We need to address the challenge a quiet and surprisingly large contingent of our community faces with eating disorders. Those individuals place an undue emphasis on calories...'"

Student response was mixed, with some thinking it's a good idea, and others believing that students with eating disorders will simply get calorie information elsewhere. Source: CW56 News (Cambridge, MASS)

Labels: colleges, support, calorie_restriction

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In Auckland, New Zealand, there are no inpatient facilities for eating disorder treatment. Local patients are currently being sent to Sydney, Australia - but that could soon change.

"Plans for a regional service provided by Auckland District Health Board, with funding from Waitemata and Counties-Manukau are now being considered by the Health Ministry."

Funding is complicated because more than one health board is involved, and no timeframe has been released. Still, local residents are hopeful that those who need it will soon be able to find treatment closer to home. Source: Western Leader (NZ)

Labels: treatment, support, health

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Becca's sister had suspected something was wrong. When she heard Becca throwing up in the bathroom, her suspicions were confirmed - Becca was struggling with bulimia. She immediately told her mom, and the two tried to get Becca some help.

"After months, the counselor told her family that the message just wasn't getting through and Becca was doing a lot of harm to her body. She has kidney problems, an ulcerated esophagus, bouts with chest pain, low blood pressure and is at risk of having a heart attack."

Becca is now in an inpatient program where her mom and sister are hoping she'll finally get the help she needs. Becca's family is sharing her story not only to raise awareness about bulimia but to bring attention to insurance companies who rarely cover eating disorder treatment. Source: The Daily Journal (MO)

Labels: family, awareness, support

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An opinion piece in the DeKalb County (IL) Daily Chronicle asks for the state's governor to sign recently passed legislation which would require insurance companies to provide coverage for eating disorder treatment.

"Treatment often requires inpatient care. That can be expensive. The average cost for a month of inpatient treatment for an eating disorder is $30,000. It is estimated that individuals with eating disorders need anywhere from three to six months of inpatient care."

If the legislation is signed into law, Illinois would become the 17th state to mandate coverage for eating disorder treatment. Source: The Daily Chronicle (IL)

Labels: treatment, legislation, support

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Author Marcia Herrin has released the second edition of her Parent's Guide to Eating Disorders. In it, she calls on her experience as an eating disorder survivor, a registered dietician, and a mother to advise and guide other parents whose children are struggling with eating disorders.

"The book focuses on using the Maudsley approach as an essential resource and on what parents may be able to do at home, with or without the use of a Maudsley-trained professional, to treat their child who has eating issues or an eating disorder."

The book includes step-by-step instructions for the Maudsley approach, a relatively new treatment that centers around family therapy and greater involvement by the parents in their child's treatment and recovery. Source: NursingCenter.com

Labels: treatment, support, parents

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Nicole Roberge's struggle with anorexia nearly killed her. Her experience, combined with her concerns about eating disorders in young people, compelled her to speak to a group of middle school students in Connecticut.

"She emphasized healthy eating habits and shared her near-death experience with anorexia. Later, when a group of five students sat down to talk about their body image, most said they think life is easier for thin girls."

One young girl said that before hearing Nicole's story, she was considering not eating for a week, but Nicole helped her see how unhealthy and dangerous it was. Source: GateHouse News Service

Labels: support, health, death

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Wade and Amy Bellamah-Daniel noticed a disturbing trend in Cincinnati - a culture of disordered eating that ranged from fad diets to full-blown eating disorders. They also noticed something else disturbing - there weren't any local programs to deal with the issue. So they started one.

"Clients of the Body Truth outpatient program go through their daily routines, with all the stresses and temptations. Then, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. three days a week, they attend group sessions to learn new ways to look at themselves, their bodies and food."

The Daniels believe the benefit of this approach is that it teaches people, from the very beginning, how to cope in everyday life. Meeting several times a week allows patient to share not only their struggles, but also their successes. There is also a mid-week support group for family members. Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer

Labels: treatment, support, cultures

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Lucy Howard-Taylor battled anorexia for almost four years. It's been six months since she wished she was dead - and she is no longer convinced that she was ugly, worthless, and dull. She shares her battle in her new book, Biting Anorexia.

"It is the only memoir written by a recovered anorexic to be endorsed by the Eating Disorders Foundation of NSW [New South Wales] because it refuses to glamorize the disorder, highlighting instead the inner turmoil, loneliness and quiet desperation behind the denial of food. 'Usually I have nothing to do with these kinds of books because they can be damaging to sufferers, but as soon as I read this, I thought this will change lives,' the group's founder, Amanda Jordan, said yesterday."

It was difficult for Howard-Taylor to put her eating disorder battles onto paper, she said, but she felt she owed it to other girls who she knew were facing the same battle. Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

Labels: awareness, recovery, support

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Jen is an avid blogger who candidly shares her struggle with, and recovery from, anorexia. She recently contributed a guest post on another blogger's site, where she shared a shortened version of her story:

"To anyone who's ever thought that eating disorders are a sign of weakness... I'd like to say this: recovering from an eating disorder is the hardest mental, physical, and emotional work you will ever do. Imagine telling a heroin addict that he must shoot up three times per day, but only a little bit. ... Alcoholics, drug addicts, and gamblers can totally abstain from their drug of choice. Disordered eaters can never, ever get away from it."

Though she has re-learned how to eat healthy and how to love herself, Jen reminds readers that recovery is an ongoing process that requires renewed commitment every day. Source: Beyond the Tag

Labels: recovery, support

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Effective early treatment is paramount in a person's battle against anorexia, and the support of loved ones is a key part of that treatment. But friends and family members are often unsure of exactly how to be supportive.

"King's College London has begun a course to give carers necessary skills. The Collaborative Caring Course teaches the necessary skills to understanding eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, and the consequential behavioral changes."

The free course is being run by Professor Janet Treasure of the Eating Disorder Research Unit, who hopes it will help family members not only to deal with the affects of eating disorders, but also to help encourage change in the sufferer. Source: BBC

Labels: treatment, support, behaviors

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A new program being offered in Queensland, Australia puts treatment for bulimia right in the hands of the patients. The six-step process involves cognitive behavioral therapy, diet plans and problem-solving:

"Over 20 weeks, the program involves sufferers writing down what they eat, creating a meal plan, intervening in bingeing or purging, using problem-solving, eliminating dieting and identifying beliefs surrounding the disorder. They also come up with plans to cope with stressful situations which may normally trigger an episode...."

Psychologist Cherie Dalton, who is currently treating three patients using the new program, told The Courier Mail that even though the program is self-guided, patients aren't going it alone. They still meet with healthcare professionals, but they are also given the tools to take a stronger ownership over their recovery. Source: The Courier Mail

Labels: treatment, support, therapy

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A young woman in Kentucky wrote to the Dear Abby advice column, asking what she should do to help her younger sister, who appears to be anorexic. "Marni," as she calls her sister, has lost a significant amount of weight and is "literally skin and bones," though she says she fine. The sister doesn't know what to do, and their mother seems oblivious to the problem.

"Dear Anxious: Marni is NOT fine.... Throwing up after meals and taking laxatives are symptoms of a severe, life-threatening eating disorder... You should tell your mother immediately what she has been doing because her life could depend on it."

Anorexia has one of the highest mortality rates of any mental illness, though sufferers rarely get the treatment they need. If you suspect that a friend or family member has an eating disorder, get help right away. Source: Arizona Daily Star

Labels: support, advice, friends

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A group of schoolchildren in Minneapolis recently help develop, write, produce and perform a play about eating disorders and body image. The 18 children volunteered one day a week for ten weeks to create the play, which was performed in front of parents, teachers, and friends.

"After the final performance, [Jess] Haines and her colleagues interviewed 15 of the participating children in three focus groups of five... A key feature of the intervention was that it appeared to engage the children and they reported finding it particularly relevant to their lives. This echoes other health research showing that involving participants in the development and delivery of an intervention leads to it being more relevant and culturally sensitive to its intended audience."

Haines and her colleagues also found that many of the children reported improvement in their own body image and ability to withstand derogatory remarks. Source: BPS Research Digest.

Labels: treatment, support, intervention

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Feeling she had nowhere else to turn, a young college student wrote to an advice columnist to seek help for the bulimia she's struggled with for four years. Her family has turned their backs on her, and with little money and no insurance, she doesn't know where to go for help.

"...you must be willing to get help, no matter what form it comes in. On-campus counseling is more beneficial than you realize, and even short-term assistance can help."

The advice columnist goes on to suggest that the writer contact the National Eating Disorders Association, the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Eating Disorders, or her local church, United Way, or YMCA. Even a little help, she says, is better than no help at all. Source: The Herald Tribune - Florida

Labels: treatment, support, advice

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Following in the footsteps of previous states, the Illinois legislature has introduced a bill that would require insurance companies to cover the treatment of eating disorders. Eating disorders are currently not recognized as a serious mental illness, so insurance companies aren't required to cover treatment.

"But that could soon change. A law proposed in the General Assembly would add anorexia and bulimia to the list of serious mental illnesses that must be covered. Insurance companies would be required to cover 45 days of in-patient care and 60 visits of outpatient treatment."

Insurance company spokespeople warn that requiring more coverage could result in higher insurance costs. Source: Chicago Daily Herald

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Labels: treatment, support, insurance

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Marisa was diagnosed with anorexia when she was 13-years-old. She was hospitalized several times before entering a residential treatment unit in Utah.

"Marisa is sharing her story because she wants people to understand anorexia - that it is a debilitating disorder rooted in control and not vanity... If she could control what she ate and subsequently her weight, then everything would be ok."

Now, at 16, Marisa is at a healthy weight. She and her parents are plaintiffs in a landmark case again Aetna insurance agency, which was sued because of its lack of eating disorder treatment coverage. The company has since agreed to change its policies and reimburse Marisa's parents the money they spent on her treatment. Source: WNBC - New York

Labels: treatment, recovery, support

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The Opposition Party in Australia has developed a new policy on the treatment of anorexia and is urging the government to develop a center specifically for people with eating disorders.

"24-year-old Melissa Maher has had anorexia for nine years and says people with such disorders need specialized care that's not available in mental health wards."

She acknowledges that treatment centers do a good job of helping patients, but they could do more by offering specialized training for psychiatrists and/or doctors. Source: ABC News - Australia

Labels: treatment, support, government

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The Royal Cornhill Hospital in Scotland is planning to open an in-patient treatment center for eating disorders and would like input from people who have received treatment at other facilities.

"The views of relatives and friends are also being sought... 'We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who has had experience of in-patient care either as a patient, relative or carer...'"

Source: BBC

Labels: treatment, support, input

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A small study conducted in the UK found that caregivers of eating disorder patients were highly receptive to a DVD-training and telephone-coaching program that taught them how to support their eating disordered family member.

"People caring for a person with an eating disorder must provide substantial emotional support to the ill person, and may themselves suffer considerable distress, [Dr. Ana R.] Sepulveda and her team explain. At the same time misunderstanding of the family and individual's role in the illness 'can lead to patterns of overprotection, criticism or hostility.'"

Only 14 people participated in the study, which makes it too small to show significant effect, but the results are promising. Source: Reuters

Labels: family, support, caregivers

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When a teenager is struggling with an eating disorder, he or she isn't the only one to suffer. Though she is the one at greatest risk, her family suffers right along with her. In an attempt to capture this painful journey, Lorri and Taryn Benson - mother and daughter - have teamed up to write the book Distorted: How a Mother and Daughter Unraveled the Truth, the Lies and the Realities of an Eating Disorder.

"Distorted chronicles their story, written in the hopes that other parents, spouses, siblings and friends can learn from their ordeal. It's not just a cautionary tale about the dangers of eating disorders... This book dramatically examines an eating disorder from dual perspectives, revealing many highly charges issues..."

Distorted has been called "raw" and "brutally honest" as mother and daughter fight for their family, their finances, and their lives. Source: DistortedTheBook.com

Labels: family, support, effects_of_eating_disorders

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John Prescott, the former Deputy Prime Minister of Scotland, has publicly admitted to a decade-long battle with bulimia. He revealed the information in hopes he could encourage others who struggle with the illness to get help.

"Mr. Prescott, whose autobiography is out next month, said he had decided to go public to help others. He said: 'I suffered from bulimia for about ten years. I want to say to millions of people who suffer from bulimia in silence to be more open about it and seek medical help, as I did.'"

In his memoirs, Prescott recalls resorting to binge eating as a way of coping with stress. He'd feel guilty about the overeating and would later purge everything. He also recalls feeling a "weird kind of pleasure" in vomiting. Prescott has been free from bulimia for about a year. Source: The Scotsman

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Labels: awareness, support, binge_eating

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A young woman writes in to an advice columnist looking for help in dealing with her parents. For years, she struggled with bulimia and now - thanks in part to counseling and antidepressants - she's healthy, has good relationships, and is genuinely excited about her life. But mom isn't supportive. How hard should this young woman try to win over her mom?

"Ask your counselor if it would be a good idea to bring your mother to a session. It might help her accept your choices if she hears from a professional."

The advice columnist goes on to say that if mom is still unsupportive, the girl needs to put her own health before her mom's approval. Source: SunHerald.com.

Labels: support, therapy, parents

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Tara Gilbride is a sophomore at Notre Dame. She's also one of the millions of U.S. females who struggle with an eating disorder. Last month, Tara decided she needed to "go public" with her eating disorder, in hopes of encouraging others who may feel ashamed to ask for help.

"'I know a lot of people who are struggling with eating disorders and think this is something they have to hide,' Gilbride, who battles anorexia, said. 'I feel comfortable letting [people] on campus know who don't feel comfortable that [an eating disorder is] not a shameful thing to be struggling with.'"

Tara has heard from several Notre Dame students who either have an eating disorder or know someone who does. Tara hopes her letter will give her a platform from which to dispel some of the misconceptions about eating disorders. Read more at NDMCObserver.com.

Getting support for an eating disorder or other teen issues is important for recovery. NorthStar Center, a residential treatment center in Bend, OR, offers a sober living environment for older teens and young adults who are in recovery and need to finish school.

Labels: awareness, support, myths

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A 16-week, internet-based program seems to significantly reduce the instances of binge eating among teens, according to the program's pilot study.

"[Megan] Jones and her team developed a 16-week online intervention modeled on an eating disorder prevention program. Known as SB2-BED, it uses psychoeducation and behavioral intervention such as stimulus control and self monitoring, all aimed at reducing binge eating and sedentary activities, increasing healthy eating and physical activity, and maintaining weight."

At the end of the study, students who participated in the program had significantly lower body mass indexes as compared to a control group. They also had fewer instances of binge eating and fewer concerns about their weight and/or shape. Read more at NLM.NIH.gov.

The Aspen Institute for Behavioral Assessment helps troubled teens and their families by accurately diagnosing a teen's issues and then creating a treatment plan. Learn more about their treatment programs for troubled teens at www.aspenassessment.com.

Labels: support, therapy, intervention

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Rosalie Yan is a college sophomore who, in a simple courageous act, has chosen to break the silence about her eating disorder. Though she kept it hidden for years, she decided it was time to raise her voice and help dispel some of the stigmas associated with disordered eating.

"The truth is that life with an eating disorder is not glamorous, despite its associations with Hollywood's starlets. We've all seen those tabloid headlines, but have you heard it from someone who lives it? The real day-to-day experience is exhausting and drearily dull. Food is always on the forefront of my mind... Sometimes it takes all my strength to just get through the day. Sometimes I'm not even sure I want to."

Yan goes on to recount some of the lessons she's learned in the last four years, including the very vital truth that "happiness doesn't come with a certain body shape; happiness comes with acceptance." Read more at DukeChronicle.com.

Labels: awareness, support, acceptance

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The Center for Young Women's Health, part of the Children's Hospital in Boston has created a website that includes a general guide on eating disorders aimed at teenagers. The guide breaks down the symptoms of anorexia and other disorders into easy-to-understand language and offers "next steps" for a teen who thinks she or a friend may have an eating disorder.

"If you think that you may have an eating disorder, it is very important that you talk to your health care provider immediately! If you are too nervous or scared to contact your health care provider on your own, try talking to an adult who is someone you trust like a parent, teacher, relative, or family friend."

The guide also helps teens understand how eating disorders are treated and what to expect if they or someone they knows is treated for an eating disorder. Read more at YoungWomensHealth.org

As someone dealing with an eating disorder needs treatment sooner than later, teens who are doing drugs or binge drinking also need immediate help. Unfortunately, parents often wait thinking their teen's risky behaviors will simply go away. Learn more about why you shouldn't wait to get your teen help.

Labels: awareness, support, health_care

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The pro-ana, or pro-anorexic, subculture has been around for years. But now technology is making it easier for "pro-anorexics" to find each other through websites and discussion groups.

"One of the primary symbols in these groups is the 'goddess Ana.' Group participants personify anorexia and bulimia by giving them feminine nicknames - Ana and Mia. Members talk about praying or talking to Ana, frequently deified as a goddess or angel, and asking her for support."

It's common practice on many of these discussion groups for participants to post information about their current weight and their goal weight. Many will also post before and after pictures and ask for verification from the group that they are indeed losing weight. Read more at DigitalYouth.com.

Labels: trends, support, pro-ana

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From pre-Halloween through the Super Bowl parties, people who struggle with compulsive eating find themselves in a season where every social gathering is fashioned around food. It's often considered the single most difficult time of the year for compulsive eaters.

"There is enormous social pressure to eat... Social messages connect food to celebration, love, entertainment, socializing, etc., which increase the tendency to overeat. This all comes at a time of year when other activities are becoming less available due to changes in the weather. Food then becomes overly important as a way to satisfy emotional needs..."

Emotions are a primary driving force behind compulsive eating and include intense feelings of remorse and guilt. Someone who struggles with overeating needs to be aware of his or her "triggers" and seek support from friends and family.

Labels: recovery, support, binge_eating

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Many of the events surrounding the Christmas season include food. While this isn't an issue for most people, those who struggle with eating disorders can feel especially stressed and even isolated at such events.

"'Ideally, family and friends should be sensitive to the fact that their guest or loved one has an eating disorder,' [Theresa] Fassihi said in a statement. 'Respect that, while the meal may be a joyous occasion for you, it may be stressful to a person with an eating disorder, especially one who has recently completed treatment."

If you know someone is recovering from - or still struggling with - an eating disorder, offer food but don't insist that he or she eat. Also, be sure not to hover or monitor what they do or don't eat.

Teens often deal with stress in unhealthy ways like cutting or using drugs. A good adolescent residential treatment center, like Youth Care, can help teenagers get the help they need.

Labels: support, stress, holidays

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An ongoing study being conducted by colleagues at Duke and the University of North Carolina is finding that many people who develop eating disorders first struggled with interpersonal relationships because they felt self-conscious and anxious.

[Dr. Nancy Zucker] said she hopes to discover more detailed information about how individuals with anorexia process social interactions and whether they perceive relationships the same way as unaffected individuals."

If results continue to support the theory that people who struggle with social interaction are more prone to develop eating disorders, it could change significantly the way the disorders are treated. The focus could shift from that of diet and body image to the development of interpersonal and other skills needed to build meaningful relationships.

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Labels: treatment, support, relationships

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A recent study found that overweight teens are more likely to practice extreme dieting measures or develop eating disorders if their parents focus too much on weight issues. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota, tracked the eating habits of 1,311 girls and 1,069 boys for a five year period.

"Weight-teasing by family, personal weight concerns and dieting/unhealthy weight-control behaviors 'strong and consistently' predicted being overweight, binge eating, and engaging in extreme weight-control behaviors..."

However, frequent family meals, frequent lunch eating, and a positive atmosphere at family meals appeared to reduce the risk for both binge eating and extreme weight-control measures over time.

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Labels: family, support, healthy_eating

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Nancy Clarkson's daughter was diagnosed with anorexia when she was just 14-years-old. Nancy remembers how helpless she felt, and how uncertain she was about where to go for help.

"...although her daughter appears to be in 'the home stretch', Clarkson said she feels compelled to reach out to other local parents whose children may be at the very beginning of their struggles. If they are anything like she was, they are probably at a loss as to where to get help for their kids, Clarkson said."

She intends to start a support group in the San Ramon Valley of California, and hopes the group will provide much-need guidance and emotional support for families affected by eating disorders.

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Labels: awareness, support, parents

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Traditional eating disorder programs can take up to 10 years to make a difference in someone's life. And the rate of relapse is extremely high. But a new method being used in a San Diego clinic promises much better results and much fewer relapses.

"The clinic doesn't rely on psychiatric drugs or talk therapy. Instead, patients learn how to feel hungry and full. The key to success is this computerized device called the 'Mandometer'. It's customized for each patient... The Mandometer measures how much food is going on the plate, and how much and how fast food is being taken off."

Patients also learn how to ease their anxiety after a meal. The clinic has a "warm room" that's set to 108 degrees in which the patients go and sit after they've eaten. The warmth helps relieve stress. The relapse rate for this therapy is only 10 percent after five years, compared to 50 percent with most other types of therapy.

Schools for learning disabilities, like Cedars Academy, offer smaller classrooms and more personal attention from teachers. Visit CedarsAcademy.com to learn more about their non verbal learning disorder schools.

Labels: treatment, support, therapy

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When a teen is diagnosed with an eating disorder, it's important that he or she get help right away. "Help" often includes counseling, medical monitoring, and nutritional guidance. A support group can also be a great addition to an adolescent's recovery plan.

"ANAD [National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders] meetings provide a safe haven for individuals with any type of eating disorder who need support in their recovery and wish to express their feelings about their experience. Members can break their painful silence and find connection with others who share and understand their struggle. Individuals are encouraged to actively participate, but are never pressured to speak. Regular attendance is not required."

Support groups focus on recovery, and members often gain encouragement and inspiration from one another as they navigate the crooked path of recovery. Though it shouldn't be a substitute for individualized counseling with a trained professional, a support group can add another layer of care and increase the chances of full recovery.

Therapeutic boarding schools offer academics and therapy for teens struggling with emotional and behavioral issues. Find one at TherapeuticBoardingSchool.com.

Labels: recovery, support, communication

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Family-based therapy (FBT) has previously been proven a more effective treatment than supportive psychotherapy (SPT) for adolescent anorexia. Now, the same has been proven for treatment of adolescent bulimia, according to a study funded by the National Institute for Mental Health.

"Daniel le Grange, PhD, of the University of Chicago, and colleagues randomly divided 80 teenagers with bulimia, ages 12-19, into two treatment groups, FBT or SPT... Six months after the end of treatment, 16 of the 41 participants (39 percent) who received FBT were in remission, compared with 7 of the 39 people (18 percent) in the SPT treatment group."

Family-based therapy empowers a teen's parents to take action and help their child stop bulimia-related behaviors. It also helps the parents separate the behaviors from the child and work with - not against - the child.

Private schools can help teenagers in ways that public schools just aren't able to - with better academics, personal attention from teachers, and a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Find one at www.boardingschoolsinfo.com.

Labels: family, support, therapy

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A University of Chicago Medical Center team has found that adolescents who seek treatment for bulimia significantly increase their chances for recovery if their parents are involved in the process. The randomized study involved 80 adolescents, half of which were assigned family-based treatment while the other half were assigned standard treatment.

"In the September issue of Archives of General Psychiatry [the] team... shows that almost 40 percent of participants in family-based treatment had stopped binging and purging compared to only 18 percent of those who received... the standard therapy. Six-months after treatment, almost 30 percent of participants who received family-based treatment were still abstinent compared to only 10 percent of participants who received supportive psychotherapy..."

The family-based therapy included clinic sessions with the patient and family members, while parents received instructions on to follow-up and encourage their children at home. The study shows that parents are uniquely positioned to help their children recovery from this potentially deadly eating disorder.

Copper Canyon Academy, a private girls residential treatment school, offers family seminars and workshops. Visit CopperCanyonAcademy.com for more information.

Labels: family, support, therapy

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The Renfrew Center, which first opened in Philadelphia in 1985, has opened a new facility in Brentwood, Tennessee. Treatment plans focus not just on the physical, but other factors that may exacerbate an eating disorder.

"Jessica Samford Conley, director of the Brentwood facility, explained the Renfrew Centers three-pronged approach. Patients at the center interface with psychiatrists, therapists, and nutritionists."

Psychiatrists work to determine if patients are struggling with any other issues or disorders such as anxiety or depression. Therapists help the patients discuss problems, and nutritionists help patients become more comfortable with food. Read more at Tennessean.com.

Labels: treatment, support, therapy

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The web referral database recoveryconnection.org has begun offering help for patients who are struggling with eating disorders.

"Previously only catering to those seeking treatment for drug addiction or alcohol detox, the referral database has been upgraded to include the latest information for those seeking treatment for anorexia, bulimia, compulsive/binge eating, and other eating-related disorders."

If left untreated, eating disorders can lead to serious health issues, and can even cause death. Read more online.

Labels: treatment, support, drugs

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For 19 years, the Marin County, California Clinic Beyond Hunger has been helping both adults and teens cope with eating disorders. Tonight, a benefit concert will take place to help raise money for the clinic.

"Beyond Hunger helps educate adults and teens with all levels of eating disorders and body image issues through workshops, support groups, community referrals and prevention programs, treating about 2,000 people annually."

The benefit concert will take place at San Rafael Community Center Auditorium, and begins at 7pm. The concert will feature Susan Zelinsky, Shana Morrison, Jennifer Naegele and others.

Read more at Origin.Marinij.com.

Labels: treatment, support

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JoDee Rigel, a school counselor from Monroe County, Michigan, was the subject of an award-winning article written by a teen who says the counselor saved her life. Ms. Rigel was the first person to take action when she noticed that the young girl, Chelsea, had lost a lot of weight.

"In the essay, Chelsea wrote how Ms. Rigel noticed her significant weight loss and intervened. 'She's done everything for me and has been there since day one,' she said."

Chelsea admitted she had a problem as soon as she was confronted, which Ms. Rigel says helped her recover more quickly. Chelsea's article won an award from Teen Ink Magazine, the content of which is written entirely by teenagers.

Read more at MonroeNews.com.

Labels: awareness, recovery, support

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Young people who are struggling with eating disorders can have difficulty finding things to be grateful for. One clever young woman decided to create a book where guests in her home could write about the joys and blessings in their own life.

"She started it as a reminder of life's small joys. Anyone can write in it. Anyone can read it. You can sign you name if you want. The only rule is to write what you are grateful for."

A Grateful Book can be a great pick-me-up when your teen (or you) is having a bad day. It can also provide some hope and reminders of the things worth living and fighting for. Read more online.

Labels: hope, treatment, support

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Aimee Liu was in 8th grade when she developed signs of anorexia. As an adolescent in the 1960s, her culture was influenced by women like fashion icon Twiggy and movie star Audrey Hepburn, who were considered "ideal". Though she never exhibited life-threatening symptoms, the psychological effects of the disorder ran deep.

"We tend to focus on the physical when people talk about eating disorders. This is problematic because it's really a psychological problem. The misunderstanding occurs when a person appears to come back to normal weight; the anorexia is a distress signal or an expression of an under-lying emotional problem. If not addressed, the symptoms or eating disorder, will recur later in life."

To keep this from happening in her own life, Aimee focuses on developing a diverse identity; focusing on hobbies and other interests that can help shape her identity. Aimee Liu"s book, Gaining  the Truth about Life after Eating Disorders, is published through Warner Books. Read more at Cleveland.com.

Labels: signs_of_eating_disorders, support, causes of eating disorders

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Emma Farnsworth knows first-hand the pain and confusion of trying to overcome an eating disorder. She spent several weeks at an eating disorder treatment facility in St. Louis. What she discovered is that, while an eating disorder certainly damages the body, it has an equally devastating affect on the mind and soul.

"Eating disorders are abusive, selfish, vacuous and deadly - but the media glamorizes them by giving them attention, even when showing a skeletal model on the verge of death. I have seldom come across a truly honest article about the emotional and mental burden of anorexia and bulimia."

Farnsworth recounts her time in the treatment center, getting to know the other girls. Aside from their eating disorders, she says, many seemed quite normal. All wanted to be good friends and siblings and hopefully good wives and moms someday. But eating disorders slowly wore away at their joy and hope, even more than their bodies. Read more at MSNBC.MSN.com.

Teens with eating disorders can find help at an adolescent residential treatment center such as Island View. Not sure what exactly your teen is suffering from? The Aspen Institute of Behavioral Assessment can diagnosis your child and form a treatment plan.

Labels: treatment, support, effects_of_eating_disorders

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When a teenager is diagnosed with an eating disorder, some form of therapy is usually included in the overall treatment plan. Doctors will often make referrals, but it's best to do some independent research as well.

"To find a good therapist, seek referrals from people you trust, such as friends and family, clergy, professional organizations, other health care providers and your insurance company. Then, check credentials..."

Different types of counselor and therapist are required to have difference credentials or certifications. It's important to make sure credentials and certifications are up-to-date and appropriate for the type of treatment being offered. Read more at DaytonDailyNews.com.

Labels: treatment, support, therapy

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Sammi Grunspan, now 20 years old, was barely a teenager when she developed an eating disorder. Having been overweight practically her entire life, she began taking laxatives to control her weight high school. Still, she continued to gain weight until - while attending a seminary school in Israel - she met a woman who helped her develop a plan that worked.

"Grunspan has successfully followed the diet for the past year. She is down to 160 pounds, which is just 10 to 15 pounds short of her goal."

She admits that she still struggles to eat properly and not resort to laxatives or other unhealthy means to lose weight. It's a battle she fights every time she sits down to eat. But with the support of family and friends, she's winning the battle.

Read more at ClevelandJewishNews.com.

Unsure of what's troubling your teenager? A residential treatment center like the Aspen Institute for Behavioral Assessment can help find the underlying issues your teenager is dealing with.

Labels: treatment, support, healthy_eating

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Teens who struggle with eating disorders need the help and support of their parents. But they need help and support from their friends as well. It can be difficult, however, to know how to be supportive.

"If you think your friend has an eating disorder, try to help first by expressing concern. Talk about her health and happiness rather than her eating behaviors. Be patient and supportive, as a lot of praise is needed and talents pointed out."

It's also important not to nag your friend about her eating habits, or dwell in conversations that focus on her body image or weight. Read more at C-N.com.

Labels: support, communication, friends

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Christine Mercer-Vernon is a fine artist who has moved from painting flowers to painting people. Specifically, painting women. Mercer-Vernon started participating in an art therapy class with women and young girls who struggled with eating disorders. The experiences caused her to re-evaluate what she was painting and why.

"As she worked with the patients, her work started to change. It began to focus on body language and the human form  character instead of beauty. The York artist started painting portraits of women to show what people look like and how they feel."

One of her paintings, titled "Aware", depicts a curvy woman as though she's being looked at from behind. The painting was recently purchased by a woman who said she "got it" and that she herself feels that aware of her body when she knows someone is looking at her from behind. Read more at EveningSun.com.

Labels: body image, recovery, support

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Almost 30 years ago, Aimee Liu suffered from anorexia. At the age of 25, considered cured, despite minimal treatment, she documented her struggle with teenage anorexia in Solitaire.

Six years ago, Liu again found herself battling the devastating eating disorder. So she wrote a new book, Gaining: The Truth About Life After Eating Disorders, about the long road of recovery.

Liu says "that mid-life women are prone to eating disorders in the same way that adolescent girls are. Life changes and outside pressures can cause a loss of identity, and that struggle is often what triggers the disorder in many women." Read more online.

Labels: teenagers, recovery, support

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At age 13, Carmen Cusido weighed 60 pounds. What began as a desire to be "thin and beautiful" turned into an obsession. At the height of her eating disorder, she was consuming just 300 calories a day. Now, 10 years later, Carmen is healthy, and happy with the way she looks. But she hasn't forgotten the hard road she traveled to get here.

"By the time I was admitted to a hospital pediatric unit, I was so weak from self-starvation I was assisted by a wheelchair... Hot tears were running down my cheeks when a doctor there placed a naso-gastric tube  a thin tube that went from my nose to my stomach  that, like an intravenous, would provide extra nutrients if I wasn't eating all my meals."

Carmen spent most of 1997 in that Eating Disorders Unit. In 2000 she decided she was "tired of being sick and tired". She has been on a steady, positive road to recovery ever since. Read more at Thnt.com.

Labels: treatment, recovery, support

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In 1979, Aimee Liu wrote Solitaire, her memoir of her struggles with anorexia nervosa. Now, almost thirty years later, she's penned a new book called Gaining: The Truth About Life After Eating Disorders. In it, Liu talks about her own mid-life relapse, and shares the results of ground-breaking scientific research.

"Liu dispels the notion that eating disorders are caused by parents or strictly environmental circumstances. She quotes research isolating susceptibility genes for restricting anorexia&and bulimia..."

Liu also shares the stories of other eating disorder suffers, dispelling the often-held belief that eating disorders are only found in rich, young, Caucasian girls. Read more online.

Labels: research, recovery, support

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When it comes to eating disorders, the media and the public-at-large primarily focus on young girls. But the disorders are not uncommon among men, either. For men, admitting to an eating disorder can be especially tough because the world tells them they're supposed to be strong, productive and efficient.

"For men, the problem of getting help goes beyond the issues of stigma and denial. If you want to get help, you have to ask for it - that's where the problems begin. 'Men tend not to seek medical treatment,' said [Paul] Gallant [operation leader, provincial mental health programs for Providence Health], 'especially for mental disorders. Men are expected to be masculine. Asking for help could be perceived at a sign of weakness.'"

Often, the same recovery programs are used for both male and female patients, even though the causes among men and women are often very different. Some treatment centers have begun to realize this are developing programs that are gender-specific. Read more at Canada.com.

Labels: support, manorexia, denial

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Max Lucas is married to Grace Bowman whose book "Thin" details her personal struggle with anorexia. Though she had recovered physically, she was still recovering psychologically when she and Max first met.

"For a few weeks after she told me, I kept an eye on her - seeing if she went to the toilet during a meal, that sort of thing. But as I got to know more about how Grace was actually feeling and the history of [her anorexia], and how far she had come from where she was, I got less concerned."

Max took practical, positive steps to help Grace continue in her recovery. Though he never nagged her about her eating habits, even when they were worrisome, he watched her to make sure she remained healthy. They are now married and living in Hertfordshire, north of London, Great Britain. Read more online.

Labels: family, recovery, support

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Kari Sturt has spent six years facing and overcoming bulimia. What started as a desire to loose weight in high school quickly became an obsession.

"'I had to have something to control,' said Sturt, noting that the same is true of many others with eating disorders."

In college, Sturt began attending a support group. She recently began leading the group, and has conversations with girls who have had eating disorders symptoms since they were as young as six.

Read more at OroVillemer.com.

Labels: support, overcoming bulimia

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At the time this article was posted (in 2001), Emily was 21 years old and had struggled with an eating disorder for six years. She had also been in recovery for a year.

"And after months and months of searching for that one big break through that would explain to me why I rather spend a Friday night in bed from exhaustion or over a toilet, than out with my friends, I began to realize that it is the tiniest revelations that will help you in your struggle to overcome an eating disorder."

Her simple words of experience offer advice and hope for those still battling to overcome. Read more at Something-Fishy.org.

Labels: support, advice

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Pauline Powers has spent years teaching medical students and residents at the University of South Florida about eating disorders. She's recently added a new endeavor to her educational and treatment efforts.

"Her latest effort is as director and driving force behind Hope House, a USF community project that will establish a comprehensive outpatient program for eating disorders. Based on another facility, Sheena's Place in Toronto, it will be the first of its kind in the United States."

Operations have been funded through a grant for the first three years, but the house must eventually become self-sufficient. Powers estimates that the cost of treating just one person with an eating disorder is about $100,000. Read more at SPTimes.com.

Labels: treatment, support, education

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A father's attitudes and comments are important factors in whether his daughter will develop bulimia and other eating disorders, a new study by Stanford University shows.

If a father is overly critical of his little girl's weight or if he himself is trying to lose weight, his daughter is more likely to develop an eating disorder in adolescence. The research also indicated that both parents could raise their daughter's risk by being overly controlling about what she eats, putting pressure on her to be thin, and placing too much emphasis on weight control.

A research team led by Dr. W. Stewart Agras followed 134 boys and girls from birth to age 11. Parents filled out annual questionnaires about their children's eating habits and weights.

One key finding was that concerns about being thin could start as early as third grade. This study appeared in the February 2007 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Labels: support, children, parents

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Or at least... that's how they feel. A recent study in London found that 92 percent of young people who struggle with eating disorders felt that they couldn't tell anyone. Some young people who participated in the study told of how their disorder was dismissed by physicians who called the disorder a "phase".

"This report comes close on the heels of a strong reaction by the US based National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) and a number of scientists to an Associated Press story on 21st January where the supermodel Gisele Bundchen said of anorexia, 'the parents are responsible, not fashion.'"

The report calls for more accurate reporting and asks that the media report some of the good news, too. Read more at MedicalNewsToday.com.

Labels: treatment, support

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