| Eating Disorders: It's Time to Talk About It!
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Traci Patterson, Director of Communications
Mental Health America of Greater Houston
tpatterson@mhahouston.org
713-523-8963 x 476
Houston, TX (February 24, 2010)—Too many people believe that eating disorders are only about food and weight issues. Eating disorders are serious mental health problems that affect the health and wellbeing of an estimated 10 million women and 1 million men in the United States. While commonly affecting young women, the statistics show that eating disorders such as Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge Eating are showing increased prevalence among girls as young as nine and young men.
Eating Disorders Statistics:
- 90% of those who have eating disorders are women between the ages of 12 and 25 (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, The Center for Mental Health Services)
- Bulimia often occurs in athletes such as gymnasts, wrestlers, dancers, horse jockeys, football players, and runners. (National Institute of Mental Health)
- 2% - 5 % of the American population experience Binge Eating Disorder (National Institute of Mental Health)
- 11% of high school students have been diagnosed with an eating disorder (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders)
- The most common behavior that will lead to an eating disorder is dieting (American Anorexia and Bulimia Association, Inc.)
- 51% of 9 and 10 year-old girls feel better about themselves if they are on a diet (Journal of the American Dietetic Association)
- 91 % of women surveyed on a college campus had attempted to control their weight through dieting, 22% dieted "often" or "always" (Journal of Psychiatric Research)
- The onset of Binge Eating Disorder usually occurs during late adolescence or in the early twenties and men constitute 40% of those exhibiting Binge Eating Disorder (American Psychiatric Association)
Whether a person restricts food intake, binge eats, binges and purges, abuses laxatives, compulsively overeats, or excessively exercises these behaviors often are symptoms of eating disorders and not the problems.
The most common reason therapists hear from people about why they began self-starvation, binging or purging is that at some point they felt terribly out of control—whether because of something they were feeling inside themselves or something that was happening to them from their outside environment. The symptoms often develop as a way of coping with underlying issues such as emotional pain, conflicts related to separation, low self-esteem, depression, stress or trauma, feelings of loss of control, worthlessness, identity concerns, family communication problems or some other troubling issue. Most individuals who develop eating disorders do not usually see their behaviors as self-harmful and many times begin these harmful behaviors as a way to try to fix other problems.
Sometimes it is very difficult for parents and others to see that a problem exists. People with eating disorders can often disguise symptoms and behaviors of an eating disorder for quite sometime before evidence of trouble or physical harm can be detected. In time, these behaviors can have severe and even fatal effects on the heart, reproductive system, kidneys, and muscles and bones.
Here are some of the most common warning signs associated with common eating disorders, Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder.
- Excessive concern over their appearance, body shape, body size, weight, perceived lack of muscle, facial blemishes, etc.
- Abuse of laxatives, diet pills, ipecac, and/or diuretics
- Visits to the bathroom after meals
- Secretive Eating: Missing Food
- Hides food in anticipation of a binge
- Intense, dramatic mood swings
- Feelings of guilt after eating
- Disgust and shame after overeating
- Tooth decay
- Complaints of being cold
- A high need for control
- Absences of three consecutive menstrual cycles
- Avoids eating in public, in front of others
- Swollen glands in neck & puffiness in cheeks
- Excessive and compulsive exercise regimes
- Constant sore throat
- Feels like he/she has no control over food
- Hair loss, paleness, and dizziness
- Wearing loose or multiple layers of clothing
- Broken blood vessels in eyes
- Very poor self-esteem
If a person displays any or all of the following signs and symptoms, seek help immediately. Early intervention is very important. Some things to keep in mind when talking to someone with an eating disorder:
- Express your concern without focusing on appearance or what the person is eating. You can say something like, "I am concerned because you are so critical of yourself. You are a very special person, and I care about you, but I'm worried that things are not going well for you. Have you thought of getting help?"
- Steer the person toward help. You can't make someone with an eating disorder eat properly, but you can show compassion and concern. You can say, "I'm not in a position to counsel you about what's going on, but I can help you find someone who can."
- If the person refuses to acknowledge a problem or any reason for your concern, repeat the reasons for your concern, and let her know you will be there for her if things change.
- If the person's health is in imminent danger, you must intervene. People with eating disorders can die from starvation or excessive vomiting. Call a doctor or take the person to the emergency room if you see signs of real trouble.
While eating disorders are serious, potentially life-threatening illnesses, they are not impossible to beat. Someone with an eating disorder has the best chance for recovery when they are surrounded by people that are loving and supportive. Eating disorders affect more than the person with the disorder—they can destroy relationships and tear families apart. Dealing with someone that has an eating disorder can be frustrating and emotionally exhausting for families and other loved ones. Seeking the help of a therapist or a support group can help also help everyone involved work through this difficult time. Recovery takes time and hard work, but with the proper treatment, which should include individual, group and family therapy, support groups, medical and nutritional counseling, eating disorders can be overcome.
For more information on eating disorders or for a referral for help to free or low-cost services, contact Mental Health America of Greater Houston at 713-522-5161 or www.mhahouston.org.
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