Eating Disorders Presentation

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

2. 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.

3. Disordered Eating vs. Eating Disorders • An illness • Frequent and persistent thoughts and behaviors about body, food and eating that lead to problems in regular functioning • Life-threatening • Professional intervention • A reaction to a life situation; a habit • Absence of compulsive thoughts or problems in regular functioning • Education, self-help can result in change

4. Eating Feelings, Attitudes & Behaviors Continuum

5. Types of eating disorders Anorexia Nervosa Bulimia Nervosa Binge Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)

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

7. Anorexia Nervosa: What is it? Eating Disorders: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Produced and Edited by Constance M. Jones (2004)

8. 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

9. Health Risks with Anorexia Heart failure Kidney failure Low protein stores Digestive problems Electrolyte imbalance

10. Bulimia Nervosa: What is it? Eating Disorders: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Produced and Edited by Constance M. Jones (2004)

11. 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

12. Health Risks with Bulimia Electrolyte imbalance Laxative dependence Dental problems Stomach rupture Menstruation irregularities

13. Binge Eating Disorder: What is it? Eating Disorders: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Produced and Edited by Constance M. Jones (2004)

14. 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

15. Health Risks with Binge Eating Disorder High blood pressure High cholesterol Gall bladder disease Diabetes Heart disease Certain types of cancer

16. 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 individual’s current weight is in the normal range. Source: Adapted from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV

17. Body Dysmorphic Disorder Excessively concerned about an imagined defect in appearance Muscle Dysmorphia Obsess about being small and underdeveloped

18. 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

19. What is the situation at Truman? Within the last 30 days, Truman students reported:

20. Why do people develop eating disorders? • Behaviors are unhealthy coping mechanisms • Factors to consider • Psychological • Interpersonal • Social/Cultural • Biological

21. 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

22. More psychological factors:Vulnerable Personality Characteristics Identity difficulties Need for approval Perfectionist Obsessive tendencies Irrational thinking Difficulty coping Inability to accept self

23. 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

24. 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

25. Barbie and Bodies Seven feet tall 38 inch chest 21 inch waist 36 inch hips Virtually unattainable for an adult woman

26. 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 ½ inch arms

27. Biological Factors • Eating disorders often run in families (learn coping skills and attitudes in family) • Genetic component—research 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

28. More on biology Dying to be Thin Written, Produced and Directed by Larkin McPhee; a NOVA production (2000)

29. Consequences of eating disorders • -Tearing up the mind and body • -Mind- distorted and obsessive thoughts regarding food, exercise, body image, • -Takes over your life—loss of life in other areas: social, financial, spiritual, professional, academic • -Anything that pulls you out of balance can destroy your life—or 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)

30. Treatment optionsHelp 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. Encouragea loved one to get help if they need it.

31. A little more personal now…

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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.

35. 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

36. Truman State University Resources • University Counseling Services • 785-4014 • ucs.truman.edu • Student Health Services • 785-4182 • studenthealth.truman.edu

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