Eating Disorders Presentation

Becky Brandsberg-Herrera MSW, LCSW University Counseling Services 785-4014 ucs.truman.edu

Goals of this Presentation

To discuss and understand the difference between disordered eating and eating disorders. To understand main types of eating disorders. To learn why people develop eating disorders. To understand the different approaches to treatment. To learn tips to help a student who may be experiencing an eating disorder. To leave with excellent resources for future reference.

Disordered Eating vs. Eating Disorders

A reaction to a life situation; a habit Absence of compulsive thoughts or problems in regular functioning Education, self-help can result in change

An

illness Frequent and persistent thoughts and behaviors about body, food and eating that lead to problems in regular functioning Life-threatening Professional intervention

Eating Feelings, Attitudes & Behaviors Continuum

Body Image Confidence Preoccupation with body shape/size & eating
Dont

Distress about body shape/size & eating

Thinking

Eating Disorders

Mostly

positive feelings about body shape/size No good or bad foods Regular moderate exercise

like the way parts of body look or consistently feel like losing a few pounds Frequent thinking about food, eating and body Sometimes feel guilty or bad for what you have eaten and may make up for it

about food, eating and body interferes with daily activities Rigidity in eating patterns Working hard to change body and compensating for eating (vomiting, fasting, extreme exercising) No significant weight loss

Anorexia

Nervosa Bulimia Nervosa Binge Eating Disorder Eating Disorder NOS

Types of eating disorders

Anorexia Nervosa Bulimia Nervosa Binge Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)

Dying to be Thin Written, Produced and Directed by Larkin McPhee; a NOVA production (2000)

Anorexia Nervosa: What is it?

Eating Disorders: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Produced and Edited by Constance M. Jones (2004)

Anorexia Nervosa: Warning Signs

Dramatic

weight loss Refusal to eat certain foods or food categories (e.g. no fats, no carbs) Consistent excuses to avoid situations involving food Excessive and rigid exercise routine Withdrawal from usual friends/relatives
Source: National Eating Disorders Association Website

Health Risks with Anorexia

Heart failure Kidney failure Low protein stores Digestive problems Electrolyte imbalance

Bulimia Nervosa: What is it?

Eating Disorders: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Produced and Edited by Constance M. Jones (2004)

Bulimia Nervosa: Warning Signs

Wrappers/containers

indicating consumption of large amounts of food Frequent trips to bathroom after meals Signs of vomiting e.g. staining of teeth, calluses on hands Excessive and rigid exercise routine Withdrawal from usual friends/relatives
Source: National Eating Disorders Association Website

Health Risks with Bulimia

Electrolyte imbalance Laxative dependence Dental problems Stomach rupture Menstruation irregularities

Binge Eating Disorder: What is it?

Eating Disorders: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Produced and Edited by Constance M. Jones (2004)

Binge Eating Disorder: Warning Signs

Wrappers/containers

indicating consumption of large amounts of food MAY be overweight for age and height MAY have a long history of repeated efforts to diet-feel desperate about their difficulty to control food intake MAY eat throughout the day with no planned mealtimes
Source: National Eating Disorders Association Website

Health Risks with Binge Eating Disorder

High blood pressure High cholesterol Gall bladder disease Diabetes Heart disease Certain types of cancer

Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)

NOS category is for disorders of eating that do not meet the criteria for any specific Eating Disorder Examples include:

For females, all of the criteria for Anorexia Nervosa are met except that the individual has regular menses OR despite significant weight loss the individuals current weight is in the normal range.

Source: Adapted from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Excessively concerned about an imagined defect in appearance Obsess about being small and underdeveloped

Muscle Dysmorphia

What is the situation at Truman?

In the Spring of 2006, 552 Truman students completed the National College Health Assessment (NCHA). The following are the findings:

1.8% of students reported experiencing Anorexia 2.9% of students reported experiencing Bulimia 2.4% of students reported that their eating disorder/problem affected their academics

What is the situation at Truman?

Within the last 30 days, Truman students reported:

Male Exercising to lose weight Dieting to lose weight Vomiting or taking laxatives to lose weight Taking diet pills to lose weight Doing none of the above 38.2 24.3 0.0 0.0 57.4

Female 64.4 41.4 3.6 3.9 30.8

Why do people develop eating disorders?

Behaviors are unhealthy coping mechanisms Factors to consider Psychological Interpersonal Social/Cultural Biological

Psychological factors
Low self-esteem Feelings of inadequacy or failure Feeling out of control Response to change (puberty) Response to stress (sports, dance) Personal illness

Identity difficulties Need for approval Perfectionist Obsessive tendencies Irrational thinking Difficulty coping Inability to accept self

Vulnerable Personality Characteristics

More psychological factors:

Interpersonal Factors
Troubled family and personal relationships Difficulty expressing emotions and feelings History of being teased or ridiculed based on size or weight History of physical or sexual abuse

Social and Cultural Factors

Cultural pressures that glorify thinness and place value on obtaining the perfect body Narrow definitions of beauty that include only women and men of specific body weights and shapes Cultural norms that value people on the basis of physical appearance and not inner qualities and strengths

Barbie and Bodies

Seven feet tall 38 inch chest 21 inch waist 36 inch hips Virtually unattainable for an adult woman

G. I. Joe
1970-GI Joe was 5 ft. 10 inches, 32 inch waist and 12 inch upper arms 2000-29 inch waist and 16 inch arms

Biological Factors
Eating disorders often run in families (learn coping skills and attitudes in family) Genetic componentresearch about brain and eating in taking place (certain chemicals in the brain control hunger, appetite and digestion have been found unbalanced).

Source: www.NationalEatingDisorders.org

More on biology

Dying to be Thin Written, Produced and Directed by Larkin McPhee; a NOVA production (2000)

Consequences of eating disorders

-Tearing up the mind and body -Mind- distorted and obsessive thoughts regarding food, exercise, body image, -Takes over your lifeloss of life in other areas: social, financial, spiritual, professional, academic -Anything that pulls you out of balance can destroy your lifeor at least make it miserable -Physical-amenorrhea, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, dry skin, long lasting disruptions of normal bowel functioning

Source: Academy For Eating Disorders http://www.aedweb.org)

Treatment options

Help comes in different forms including

Psychotherapy Support or self-help groups Medical treatment Nutritional treatment Medication Hospitalization
Help is available. Get help if you need it. Encourage a loved one to get help if they need it.

A little more personal now

Deciding If You Abuse Food

I often deal with difficult feelings with food I think constantly about my weight and appearance I give too much time and thought to food I have lied or been secretive about my eating behavior I have gone on eating binges that I felt I might not be able to stop I have used vomiting, laxatives, water pills, and/or diet pills to control my weight

How to Help Family and Friends

Tips for Talking to a Friend Who May Be Struggling with an eating Disorder

*Set a time to talk *Communicate your concerns *Ask your friend to explore these concerns *Avoid conflicts or a ballet of the wills *Avoid placing shame, blame, or guilt *Avoid giving simple solutions *Express your continued support

Knowledge Awareness Support Boundaries

By National Eating Disorders Association www.NationalEatingDisorders.org

Body Image

Not the entire solution, but if we have a healthy, realistic body image we are less prone to use food as a way to cope with our emotions, stress and problems.

Web Resources

Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders

www.anred.com

National Eating Disorders Association

www.NationalEatingDisorders.org

American Dietetic Association

www.eatright.org

Something Fishy Web Site on Eating Disorders

www.something-fishy.org

Truman State University Resources

University Counseling Services

785-4014 ucs.truman.edu

Student Health Services

785-4182 studenthealth.truman.edu

Thank You!!
Becky Brandsberg-Herrera, MSW. LCSW University Counseling Services brandsberg@ truman.edu 785-4014
http://ucs.truman.edu http://ucs.truman.edu/howwasit