Disorders Presentation Becky BrandsbergHerrera MSW LCSW University Counseling

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

Goals of this Presentation n n n 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 n Absence of compulsive thoughts or problems in regular functioning n Education, self-help can result in change n n. An illness n. Frequent and persistent thoughts and behaviors about body, food and eating that lead to problems in regular functioning n. Life-threatening n. Professional intervention

Eating Feelings, Attitudes & Behaviors Continuum Body Image Confidence Preoccupation with body shape/size & eating Distress about Eating body shape/size Disorders & eating n. Mostly positive n. Don’t like the way n. Thinking about food, feelings about body shape/size n. No “good” or “bad” foods n. Regular moderate exercise parts of body look or consistently feel like losing a few pounds n. Frequent thinking about food, eating and body n. Sometimes feel guilty or bad for what you have eaten and may “make up for it” eating and body interferes with daily activities n. Rigidity in eating patterns n. Working hard to change body and compensating for eating (vomiting, fasting, extreme exercising) n. No significant weight loss n. Anorexia Nervosa n. Bulimia Nervosa n. Binge Eating Disorder n. Eating Disorder NOS

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

Dying to be Thin Written, Produced and Directed by Larkin Mc. Phee; 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 ü Dramatic weight loss ü Refusal to eat certain foods or food categories (e. g. no fats, no carbs) ü Consistent excuses to avoid situations involving food ü Excessive and rigid exercise routine ü Withdrawal from usual friends/relatives Source: National Eating Disorders Association Website

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

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

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

Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS) n NOS category is for disorders of eating that do not meet the criteria for any specific Eating Disorder n 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

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

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 n 2. 9% of students reported experiencing Bulimia n 2. 4% of students reported that their eating disorder/problem affected their academics n

What is the situation at Truman? Within the last 30 days, Truman students reported: 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 Male Female 38. 2 64. 4 24. 3 41. 4 0. 0 3. 6 0. 0 57. 4 3. 9 30. 8

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

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

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

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

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

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

G. I. Joe n 1970 -GI Joe was 5 ft. 10 inches, 32 inch waist and 12 inch upper arms n 2000 -29 inch waist and 16 ½ inch arms

Biological Factors Eating disorders often run in families (learn coping skills and attitudes in family) n Genetic component—research about brain and eating in taking place (certain chemicals in the brain control hunger, appetite and digestion have been found unbalanced). n Source: www. National. Eating. Disorders. org

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

Consequences of eating disorders -Tearing up the mind and body -Mind- distorted and obsessive thoughts regarding food, exercise, body image, n -Takes over your life—loss of life in other areas: social, financial, spiritual, professional, academic n -Anything that pulls you out of balance can destroy your life—or at least make it miserable n -Physical-amenorrhea, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, dry skin, long lasting disruptions of normal bowel functioning n n Source: Academy For Eating Disorders http: //www. aedweb. org)

Treatment options : Help comes in different forms including n n n 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 n n n 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 n “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 n n Knowledge Awareness Support Boundaries By National Eating Disorders Association www. National. Eating. Disorders. org

Body Image n 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 n Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders – www. anred. com n National Eating Disorders Association – www. National. Eating. Disorders. org n American Dietetic Association – www. eatright. org n Something Fishy Web Site on Eating Disorders – www. something-fishy. org

Truman State University Resources n University Counseling Services – 785 -4014 – ucs. truman. edu n 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/howwasit