"Anorexic woman saved by strangers at Green Hills YMCA" by Tom Wilemon, is a heartwarming and inspiring story of how a young woman battling with anorexia, was saved by the love and concern of strangers. The "strangers" were 9 individuals who had taken note of Lauryn Lax and her deteriorating health at the Green Hills Family YMCA, which they all used to work out. The group staged an intervention, contacted Lauryn's parents, and brought her to hospital where she received much-needed treatment and began her road to recovery. Would you have done the same? The Academy for Eating Disorders has put together a concise booklet for medical professionals to use to guide them in the diagnosis and management of patients with anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating disorder. From when to consider evaluating a patient for an ED, to the physical signs and symptoms, to the bloodwork and tests you should order, to ways to prevent refeeding syndrome, this short resource touches on it all! You can access the booklet here. As February marked Eating Disorders Awareness Month, and Feb. 23 to March 1st was National Eating Disorders Awareness week in the US and UK, the number of articles on anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder have recently been off the charts. However, no matter when you search for news and information on EDs on the internet or even social media sites like Twitter, it seems that news about eating disorders never truly stops or slows down. It is an ongoing battle to raise awareness, to raise funds for treatment programs and research, and to tackle the many contributing factors that EDs seem to stem from. EDs are not rare, in fact the numbers of those affected or those at risk seem to be increasing. That being said it is important to be aware of EDs and offer support to those who may be affected, as well as to those who display dangerous eating behaviours or weight loss tactics, and who are unhappy with their body image and are at heightened risk of developing anorexia, bulimia, or binge-eating disorder. To get a glimpse of some of the recent news articles this past week on EDs, including a segment from the Dr. Oz show on the dangerous new trend of the "thigh gap", see below ... Eating Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence, is a great resource designed to provide readers with insight into both a young patient and parent's perspective on experiencing eating disorders (ED). In addition, it outlines psychological assessments and physical assessments, both of which are incredibly important aspects of interviews with these patients, and describes how the brain functions in a child or teen with an ED. Lastly, it highlights and provides research into the various therapies available, as well as the basic management approach including nutrition and re-feeding. Recommended For: Those interested in child and adolescent psychiatry, pediatrics, or family medicine, as well as families who have a child diagnosed with an ED. As one of the recent posters from the National Eating Disorders Information Centre says, for eating disorders like most mental health issues, silence can be deadly. Rather, it's talking that helps to save lives. Canadian and young eating disorders advocate, Emily Doer, knows all too well just how difficult and isolating it can be to have an eating disorder like anorexia and/or bulimia. However, despite the stigma and the lack of open and candid conversation and discussion about eating disorders, Emily began sharing her personal story about her struggles with an eating disorder. Not only was she displaying immense strength and courage, but she was putting the NEDIC's message into action, by encouraging others to talk ... and to listen. As Emily says in her TED talk below, "by sharing these experiences with one another, it can not only help to heal us, but it can help other people along the way. It's about forgiving yourself enough to be open, and letting others in so that they can learn from your experiences." "After a three-year struggle with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, Emily Doer was voluntarily admitted to the Adult Eating Disorders Program at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg for treatment in April 2011. One of her motivations for recovery was returning to school to complete the final two years of a communications degree, which she will graduate with in spring 2013. She is the founder and organizer of "Tea for ED" a tea party fundraiser for adult eating disorders, an event which started as a school project and has blossomed into an awareness campaign. She shares her personal experiences with her eating disorder and recovery to help reduce the stigma and shame of this disease, and in hopes that others suffering in silence know that they are not alone (tedxtalks.ted.com)" For more information on Emily Doer's story:
Curious to know more about the science and psychology behind eating disorders like anorexia? If so, watch Dr. Laura Hill's informative TED talk in which she helps explain what those with eating disorders feel and experience using data from fMRI studies, and discusses the future direction for treatments. "Calm, pleasure and satisfaction is what most people experience after eating. But for people with eating disorders, food brings anxiety, disturbance and noise. Dr. Hill takes a look from the inside out from the "sound" to the biology of these diseases and how the future holds a different approach to manage the illness while bringing these patients hope" (tedxtalks.ted.com). The National Eating Disorder Information Centre, reports that among Canada's young women (aged 15-24) in 2002, the prevalence of eating disorders was 1.5%. They also report, based on findings from clinical studies, that the lifetime prevalence of anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating disorder are somewhat "low" (<5%). However, in 2013 an article from CTV News expressed concern about rising rates of eating disorders among adults, adolescents, and children, some even as young as 5 years old. What's more is that the Government of Saskatchewan has shared some scary but eye-opening information about EDs including that 85% of women are dissatisfied with their bodies, and 15-20% of Canadian women exhibit symptoms of EDs. While EDs are common among women, they are not restricted to just one gender. In fact, not only is it thought that the prevalence of EDs among males is rising, studies have found that 40% of adolescent boys are dissatisfied with their bodies, and many males with EDs seek help for treating the symptoms of their disorder but not for the disorder itself. From all of the statistics and studies on EDs one thing is clear: many people are suffering from potentially life-threatening EDs, and too many are suffering in silence. So how can we help reduce the number of those struggling with EDs? One way would be to better understand EDs, so that we may better identify these patients, help connect them with treatments, and support them through recovery. As the causes of and risk factors for EDs tend to be numerous and multifactorial, in addition to varying from patient to patient, one of the best ways to familiarize yourself with EDs is likely through increased exposure. That being said, below you will find a small collection of written stories and blog posts, as well as a few videos that allow you to gain deeper insight into the background stories and experiences of those with AN, BN, and BED. |
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Supporting and enhancing students' and health professionals' knowledge and understanding of mental health and psychiatry
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