February is National Eating Disorder Awareness month and February 26-March 3 is Eating disorders awareness week which is dedicated to promote awareness in the community and support those in need. I came to know about this condition through Project HEAL which is an organization that supports those who are struggling with the recovery because of financial and systemic barriers.
An eating disorder results from the way one feels about food and their body image. Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia and Binge eating disorder are three commonly known eating disorders.Some common signs of an eating disorder are restriction of food, excessive exercise, food rituals, eating rapidly, fluctuating weight, purging by self induced vomiting or overusing laxatives, mood swings, isolation and health-related factors such as stomach issues and low blood pressure.Eating disorders have the highest mortality rates of all psychiatric illnesses. According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, an eating disorder is a fatal illness due to associated medical complications and suicide risk.
The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders states that an estimated 9% (28.8 million) of the United States population will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. Eating disorders can be seen in any age, gender, race or ethnic groups, but are more prevalent in adolescents and young adults. Although the exact cause of eating disorders is unknown, it can be related to genetic, psychological or environmental factors. In recent years, the use of social media and digital platforms for entertainment have increased the challenges related to body image and mental health.
In order to learn more about Eating disorders, I reached out to Dr Lisa Wehr Maves who is an Assistant professor in the Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Dr Maves has a clinic where she sees patients with Eating Disorders.
What are the common types of Eating Disorders you see in your practice?
Dr Lisa Wehr Maves: When most people think of eating disorders they think of a thin person with anorexia nervosa, but bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder are both more common than anorexia. There is also a more recently added diagnosis called atypical anorexia nervosa where patients have all the features of anorexia nervosa but despite significant weight loss their weight is still within or above what is considered a normal range. I am trained in both internal medicine and psychiatry and work in both inpatient and outpatient settings and see a mixture of all eating disorders.
What is the common cause for Eating Disorders?
Dr Lisa Wehr Maves: We don’t fully understand what causes someone to develop an eating disorder but it is likely a combination of factors. Some people are genetically or biologically more vulnerable and other factors such as restrictive diets or psychological stressors can lead to onset of the eating disorder.
How does the treatment and road up recovery look like?
Dr Lisa Wehr Maves: Everyone’s treatment and recovery journey looks a little different. We usually recommend people have a multi-disciplinary treatment team including a therapist, dietitian, psychiatrist, and primary care doctor. The majority of treatment occurs in the outpatient setting though some people require higher levels of care such as partial hospitalization, residential, or inpatient treatment for medical stabilization, interruption of eating disorder behaviors, or weight restoration.
What are the major challenges in getting treatment?
Dr Lisa Wehr Maves: There are multiple factors that make it difficult to get treatment for an eating disorder. It is not uncommon for people with eating disorders to feel like they are “not sick enough” to get treatment or to feel like they do not deserve treatment. There is still a common misconception that most people with eating disorders are underweight and this belief can make it more difficult for people to recognize that there is a problem or feel like they need treatment. Insurance coverage can be challenging for treatment, particularly for people with normal or higher weight. Finding a program or provider that treats eating disorders can also be challenging. Most physicians receive very little education on eating disorders during their training and don’t feel competent in treating these patients. Higher levels of care (such as inpatient or residential) can also be hard to access as a number of states don’t have any such programs available.
Is there any advice for high school students struggling with eating disorders?
Dr. Lisa Wehr Maves: There can be a lot of guilt and shame surrounding eating disorder behaviors which makes it hard to ask for help. Eating disorders thrive in secrecy so it’s important to have support (personal and/or professional). The path to recovery is often challenging and may not be linear but many people have successfully overcome an eating disorder to have fulfilling lives.
Why do you think it is important for high schoolers to be more aware about eating disorders/research/awareness etc. or like why is it often overlooked?
Dr. Lisa Wehr Maves: Eating disorders commonly affect adolescents and have serious consequences on their health if not successfully treated. The myth that eating disorders only occur in thin, young, white women persists and leads people to overlook the struggles of persons of other shapes, sizes, and genders.
Although the journey of treatment and recovery is often long, expensive and challenging, success can be achieved by support. The first step to recovery is to recognize the signs of eating disorders and seek help.
As an ambassador of Project HEAL, I am doing a fundraiser to support those who are facing challenges with the treatment of eating disorders. Please support me in this endeavor.