Eating Disorder Awareness Week
Posted on: March 10th, 2017
It was encouraging to see Eating Disorder Awareness Week (Feb 26 – Mar 4) celebrated on a grand scale this year. Seventy iconic landmarks across the country, including the Empire State Building and Los Angeles International Airport’s pylons, were lit up with the signature blue and green colors of the National Eating Disorders Association in efforts to put a spotlight on the seriousness of eating disorders. We still have plenty to do in terms of educating the public about eating disorders, but thankfully awareness is increasing.
According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, one of the oldest organizations aimed at fighting eating disorders, at least 30 million people of all ages and genders in the US suffer from an eating disorder at some time in their life. The notion that this is a problem for females only is false. The number of males with eating disorders has grown over the years to approximately 10 percent, but some estimate the number to be 20 percent because disorders are under-reported by the gender.
Decades ago the medical community did not recognize eating disorders as legitimate, but since then The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) a publication of the American Psychiatric Association has acknowledged 8 eating disorders including: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, pica, rumination disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, other specified feeding or eating disorder, and unspecified feeding or eating disorder. The DSM contains sets of diagnostic criteria (symptoms being experienced) to assist clinicians with effective diagnoses and care of people with mental health disorders.
The recognition of eating disorders as serious medical conditions was critical for public health, because the consequences for those suffering with eating disorders can be devastating. For example, untreated anorexia nervosa’s cycle of self-starvation can lead to organ failure and death. Bulimia’s binge-and-purge cycles has a lower fatality rate, but can affect the entire digestive system and lead to chemical imbalances that damage the heart and other major organs. Binge eating disorder often results in many of the same health risks associated with obesity, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, type II diabetes and gallbladder disease.
On a positive note, since eating disorder awareness is on the rise more and more people recognize these serious conditions in themselves and loved ones and seek treatment. This is vitally important, because early intervention usually results in the least challenging path to recovery.
If you suspect you have an eating disorder Maureen Kritzer-Lange Psychotherapy can offer a treatment plan that brings you relief. Email us at info@maureenkritzerlange.com or call (973) 313-1691.
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