I had the privilege earlier this week of attending a presentation by Amy Mendrala of Lisa's Light Of Hope, a local organization who's mission is "bringing eating disorders out of the darkness." The presentation made me realize the breadth of these diseases.
According to the National Eating Disorders Association, Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental disorder and 30 million Americans will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their life.
Eating disorders (EDs) are real, complex medical and psychiatric illnesses that can have serious consequences for health, productivity and relationships. They are caused by both genetic and environmental factors. EDs are bio-psycho-social diseases; they are not a fad, phase or lifestyle choice.
As this week marks National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, I want to list the symptoms of what to watch for, as noted in the NEDA's Recognizing Symptoms in Patients Guide:
- In general, behaviors and attitudes indicating that weight loss, dieting and control of food are becoming primary concerns.
- Evidence of binge eating, including disappearance of large amounts of food in short periods of time or finding wrappers and containers indicating the consumption of large amounts of food.
- Evidence of purging behaviors, including frequent trips to the bathroom after meals, signs and/or smells of vomiting or presence of wrappers or packages of laxatives or diuretics.
- Excessive, rigid exercise regimen—despite weather, fatigue, illness or injury, the compulsive need to “burn off” calories taken in.
- Withdrawal from usual friends and activities.
If you know of someone who may need treatment for an Eating Disorder, please don't wait -- you can call the NEDA Helpline at 1-800-931-2237 or visit the NEDA homepage and anonymously click to chat.
You can find out more about Lisa's Light of Hope here or on their Facebook page.
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