Eating Disorders A personal and clinical perspective - PowerPoint Presentation

1. Eating DisordersA personal and clinical perspectiveJuliana Hill, B.A.

2. -My Story--a brief accounthow it beganEvolutionRemissionEvolutioncurrent status: currently in recovery, gained weight, out of the underweight BMI, daily/sometimes hourly battle; in therapy; refuse to take stimulant; two steps forward one step back ***note on cross-addiction—up to 50% of women with eating disorders are also addicted to alcohol, drugs,etc. I am an alcoholic in full remission and a recovering shopping addict

3. AN, BN, EDNOS-Different types of Eating Disorders/clinical criteria3 types of eating disorders listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified

4. AN--Anorexia criteria and informationIndividuals with AN weigh less than 85% of the weight that is considered normal for their age and height (criterion A), they intensely fear gaining weight or becoming fat (criterion B), the experience and significance of body weight and shape are distorted in these individuals (criterion C) and postmenarcheal women experience amenorrhea (criterion D)Some facts: (from October 14, 2008 presentation given by Benek Altayli, Psy. D.)1/200 people living in the United states will develop AN90% of sufferers are womenDiagnosis occurs most often in puberty or age 1850-75% of sufferers also have major depression25% have OCD5% die from the disorderLess than 40% recover spontaneously70% can be helped with competent treatment

5. BN-Bulimia NervosaIndividuals with BN engage in binge eating, defined as consuming an amount of food in a discreet period of time (approx 2 hours) that is definitely larger than most individuals would consume under similar circumstances (criterion A1), the episode of binge eating is accompanied by a sense of lack of control (criterion A2), the individual engages in a recurrent use of compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives and diuretics (criterion B), the binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors occur an average of two times a week for a period of at least three months (criterion C), individuals suffering BN place an excessive emphasis on body shape and weight in their self-evaluation and these factors are typically the most important ones in determining self-esteem (criterion D)Some facts: (Benek Altayli, Psy. D.)BN affects 3%-10% of adolescent and college age women in the US25% are initially anorexicCommonly co-occurs with affective disorders, impulse control disorders, BPD, PTSD symptoms, and substance abuse Successful outcome of treatment is negatively impacted by familial obesity

6. EDNOS-Eating Disorders Not Otherwise SpecifiedThis category is for disorders of eating that do not meet criteria for any specific eating disorder

7. -Possible reasons for eating disorders (Benek Altayli, Psy. D) Genetic-many researchers believe there is an inherited predisposition to having an eating disorder. Studies have shown that the co-occurrence among identical twins is greater than fraternal twins Chemical-the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine have also been identified as being significantly decreased in acutely ill patients suffering from Anorexia and Bulimia as well as Depression and PTSD; these neurotransmitters create a sense of physical and emotional satisfaction as well as signal fullness and food satisfaction. Hormones-individuals with eating disorders have been shown to have higher levels of the hormones vasopressin and cortisol than the general population; these hormones are normally released in response to physical and possible emotional stress, and may contribute to some of the dysfunction seen in eating disordered individuals. Environmental-we live in a society that reinforces the idea that to be happy and successful we must be thin; we are assaulted by magazines, newspapers, television and radio with the message that “fat is bad; other societal issues include dysfunctional families, sexual abuse, physical abuse, domineering coaches and controlling relationships Psychological-the practice of an eating disorder can be viewed as a survival mechanism, an individual with an eating disorder can use eating, purging or restricting to deal with feelings and emotions that may otherwise seem overwhelming; thru the use of an eating disorder an individual may a sense of partial control over their seemingly incontrollable life.  Underlying issues-some of the issues that are associated with an eating disorder are low self-esteem, depression, feelings of loss of control, feelings of worthlessness, identity concerns, family communication problems and an inability to cope with intense emotions; the practice of an eating disorder may be an expression of something that the individual has found no other way of expressing

8. book by Margo Maine,Ph.D, originally published early 90s, revised 2004“Father hunger is a deep, persistent desire for emotional connection with the father that is experienced by all children.” --unfulfilled longing for the father that for girls and women often translates into conflicts about food and weight; when this normal craving is satisfied, children are likely to grow up feeling confident, secure, strong, and “good enough.”-Father Hunger

9. -Father HungerGirls may adopt the “if only I were skinny” approach to escape pain and reduce all their negative emotions into simply “feeling fat.” Problems encountered in eating disordered patients, chronic dieters, over exercisers, and weight preoccupied women have little to do with weight and food—those are merely symptoms for deeper issues rooted in pain and confusion, as the individual reaches for self esteem and identity while dealing with depression, anxiety, fear, trauma and disappointment.

10. -Father HungerGlobal Girls-Maine coined this phrase to describe the effects of globalization on today’s young women. These largely negative effects are due to the unprecedented access to and influence of the media via communications and world markets as well as mobilization. This increased mobility means more opportunities to explore the external and superficial while less emphasis is placed on developing an internal sense of one’s true self, complicating the task of forging a personal identity in a culture where moral authority, traditions, and core values are not valued. 

11. -Father HungerEncouraged to look outside themselves for comfort, values and direction, global girls fall easy prey to addictive behaviors and unrealistic images that are promoted in various advertising media. By imposing impossible standards to keep women of all ages unsure, uneasy and in their place, the mass media relentlessly pressure global girls to be someone other than who they are naturally. By default they develop a false self, constantly focusing on the outside, expressing their femininity through their appearance rather than their actions, accomplishments, feelings and relationships.

12. -Disordered eating—what does it look like?restrictioncalorie countingeliminating food groupsrigid adherence to a given eating routinelack of varietyritualistic

13. -Healthy LifestyleExercise (up to 90/min a day)3 meals, 3 snackswaterfun/pleasure/treatsBALANCE

14. -Eating Disorder resources for recoveryEating Disorders Support GroupsIndividual TherapyUniversity Counseling Center-255-3265

15. -Eating Attitudes TestFor anyone who has a concern that they may be at risk, there is an Eating Attitudes Test that you can take anonymously on line that will tell you your risk level ***if you ARE concerned, it is highly recommended you see a professional