In Wisconsin, a similar study found that more than 60,000 men and 132,000 women likely have an eating disorder, or roughly 3 percent of the population.
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It’s important to know that eating disorders typically are mental health issue, and are caused by a mix of sociological, psychological and genetic factors.
In the poignant video above, a cast of famous faces such as Nikki Grahame, Raleigh Ritchie and Anne Diamond say a forceful goodbye to eating disorders. The NEDA Helpline is available Monday – Thursday, 9:00 a.m.to 9:00 p.m. ET and Fridays, 9:00 a.m.to 5:00 p.m. ET to answer your questions about seeking treatment for yourself or a loved one, finding support groups, assessing your options, and finding information and resources about eating disorders. Symptoms to look for in early detection include: frequent comments about feeling “fat” or overweight; behaviors and attitudes indicating that weight loss, dieting and control of food are becoming primary concerns; skipping meals or taking small portions of food at regular meals; hiding body with baggy clothes; evidence of binge eating, including disappearance of large amounts of food in short periods of time; maintaining excessive, rigid exercise regimen-despite weather, fatigue, illness or injury-because of the need to “burn off” calories; and drinking excessive amounts of water or using excessive amounts of mouthwash, mints and gum. “They are often dismissed or misunderstood as vanity issues, or choices, and in fact these are very, very serious illnesses”.
Ms. Arter struggled with anorexia nervosa-commonly referred to as anorexia-a disorder she developed in response to a sexual assault that she suffered at the age of 14.
“There are a lot of misconceptions”, Theoharidis said.
Castlewood Treatment Centers is a proud sponsor of Screening for Mental Health’s National Eating Disorder Screening Program, which screens people for eating disorders and allows individuals to connect with the appropriate treatment resources.
Ellen Lucas, associate director of the Counseling Center, will discuss the recovery process for people with eating disorders as well as give tips for families and friends of how to support and care for someone with an eating disorder.
Shoyer added that intensive treatment, like that available at McCallum Place, can be extremely important for the recovery of some individuals.
While disordered eating is not considered an eating disorder, researchers noted that an eating disorder needs to prevent you from having a flexible, normal life to be qualified as such. “People can’t wrap their heads around (eating disorders). These are one’s private experience so unless we spread awareness, or someone is touched by an individual with these experiences, it is not well known”. The National Eating Disorders Association has a parent toolkit on their website that is a great place to start for parents and Greensboro’s “Space For All” is an alliance in the community to local professionals that can help.
Barrett grew up in the dance world where she was taught to strive for perfection.
“Eating disorders seem to have a negative stereotype attached to them that can make people who struggle with the disorder feel ashamed”, Barrett said.
Mysko stressed the importance of recognizing an eating disorder and getting help as soon as possible, before it takes hold.
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The good news is, treatment for eating disorders can be very effective, and, like most health conditions, the earlier a problem is addressed, the better.
