Behavioral Medicine Center news
BMC information session raises awareness of eating disorders
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| Barbara Dickinson, RD (left), nutritionist for the adolescent eating disorders program at the BMC, talks with Katy Ellingson, a nutrition and dietetics student in the School of Allied Health Professions, during the information session held at Drayson Center. |
In honor of Eating Disorders Awareness Week, the adult and adolescent eating
disorders programs at Loma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Center (BMC)
hosted an informational session at Drayson Center, Wednesday, February 26.
Eating Disorders Awareness Week is celebrated in communities and schools nationwide
to draw attention to disordered eating and body dissatisfaction.
“ An eating disorder is challenging because it’s such a secretive
disorder,” shares Pam Dobbins, director of the adolescent eating disorder
program at the BMC. “It
can often go unidentified.”
The three-hour evening session gave teachers, therapists, parents, and any other
interested individuals a chance to learn more about eating disorders, what to
look for, and how to get treatment. A video gave viewers background on the disorder.
Representatives were also on hand to answer questions and provide free screenings.
There are several things
parents, teachers, counselors, friends, and other adults can do to recognize
an eating disorder in a teen. The person may skip meals, take only tiny portions,
not eat in front of other people, eat in ritualistic ways, and/or mix strange
food combinations. Some may chew mouthfuls of food but spit them out before
swallowing. She/he may become disgusted with former favorite foods or only
eat “safe” foods.
The person also loses, or tries to lose, weight or has fears of weight gain and
obesity. She/he wears baggy clothes, sometimes in layers, to hide fat, hide emaciation,
and stay warm. The person may spend a lot of time inspecting him/herself in a
mirror, usually finding something to criticize.
Eating disorders usually appear in young women between the ages of 12 and 25,
although there are both older and younger exceptions. At least 10 percent are
male, possibly more. Researchers are just now beginning to determine how widespread
eating disorders are in men and boys.
The dangers of an eating disorder can be irreversible physical damage and even
death. Eating disorders can affect every cell, tissue, and organ in the body.
Some of the physical effects include:
- irregular heartbeat, cardiac arrest, death;
- kidney damage, death;
- liver damage (made worse by substance abuse), death;
- destruction of teeth, rupture of esophagus, loss of muscle mass;
- disruption of menstrual cycle, infertility;
- weakened immune system;
- icy hands and feet;
- swollen glands in neck, stones in salivary duct;
- excess hair on face, arms, and body;
- dry, blotchy skin;
- anemia, malnutrition;
- fainting spells, seizures, sleep disruption, bad dreams, mental fuzziness;
and/or
- permanent loss of bone mass, fractures.
“ There are many misconceptions associated with eating disorders,” shares
Ms. Dobbins. “Some think dieting is the most effective way to lose weight,
or that the more you exercise, the healthier you are. Some girls will argue that
nobody eats breakfast, or that sweetened snacks are bad.”
Ms. Dobbins and the rest of the eating disorders team at the BMC take many
steps to help individuals overcome these myths and become functioning members
of society
once more. This includes a structured program of psychotherapy groups, body
image sessions, nutrition classes, self-esteem sessions, art therapy, relaxation
time,
and body movement classes.
The eating disorder program uses a partial hospitalization treatment model
where patients come for treatment daily and return home nightly. A multidisciplinary
team composed of licensed therapists, psychiatrists, nursing staff, occupational
and art therapists, registered dieticians, and addiction specialists help guide
patients to recovery by increasing self-value and self-esteem, as well as building
effective life skills such as problem solving and coping. The program’s
goal also includes parental and family support building.
For more information or to receive an assessment, please call (909) 558-9319.
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