Archive for March, 2009

Q & A with Kathryn Zerbe, M.D.

On Saturday, April 18th, 2009, Dr. Kathryn Zerbe will be one of five nationally recognized speakers to present at The Center for Eating Disorders’ annual professional symposium entitled, Eating Disorders: State of the Art Treatment.  Dr. Zerbe’s presentation, Integrated Treatment for Eating Disorders: Beyond the Body Betrayed, will provide an in-depth look at the treatment issues she discusses in her new book by the same name.  Recently, Dr. Zerbe provided us with an engaging preview of her upcoming talk and a glimpse inside her new book.  Her responses to our questions are posted in today’s blog. 

Dr. Zerbe, your previous book, “The Body Betrayed”, was a highly beneficial read for professionals and patients alike.  Who is the intended audience of your most recent book, “Integrated Treatment of Eating Disorders: Beyond the Body Betrayed,”?

“The new book is about the treatment of eating disorders, and it is written with clinicians, patients, and family members as a target audience.  In my view, education is a formidable tool in the treatment of eating disorders, but these complex illnesses are often understood from only one vantage point (biological, psychological, cultural, etc).  In my new book, I wanted to show how patients and their treatment providers have to take as many perspectives into account as possible.”

Why is it important to consider the patient’s stage of life when treating an eating disorder?

“Depending upon where a person is in the life cycle, their emotional needs and the challenges they face are different.  Although needs for security and attachment are present from infancy until the end of life, there are notable differences for an adolescent, a new mother, a middle-aged man, and so forth.  Treatment for an eating disorder must take into account the cognitive differences of our adolescent patients and our adult patients.  A new mother who has had an eating disorder will face a different assortment of problems in feeding her infant, or herself, than a middle aged person who is dealing with an aging body and the finiteness of time.  In my book, I give many examples of how treatment must be adapted to where the person is in the life cycle, stressing that there are certain normal development crisis points that we all go through.”

What are some of the “special problems” you talk about in your book that clinicians face when treating patients with an eating disorder?

“Clinicians can so easily believe that a person who gets better with a symptom is “all better.”  New research demonstrates that this is not the case by any means.  We must take into consideration other domains of a patient’s life.  How has the eating disorder interfered with developing relationships?  Is the person satisfied and able to experience joy?  Does the person who has an eating problem feel that this is what defines who they are, or are they on a path to have a more multifaceted identity?  I also write about how often sexuality is neglected in treatment of eating disorders.  We clinicians really shouldn’t consider it a ’special problem’, but I am struck by how many patients have issues in this area that they deeply suffer from, and no one has asked them about it.  In my view, focusing on the eating disorder in treatment is never enough.  We have to look at the whole person and what makes that person feel whole.  Fulfilling relationships are a key aspect of improved quality of life for all of us.”

What does it mean for treatment to be “integrated” and why is that an essential characteristic of successful therapy for eating disorders?

“Integrated treatment takes into account the biological, psychological, and cultural underpinnings of the eating disorder.  It also means that clinicians who are involved in the treatment of a patient, let’s say the therapist, the nutritionist, and the medical doctor, must also work as a team.  In order to be effective, clinicians must hear the patient’s story, understand their unique personal history, recognize important media and cultural influences that impinge, and appreciate the growing research base of genetics, brain hormones, and medications.  Patients must be educated about the importance of each domain and how it may impact them as individuals.”

The Center for Eating Disorders would like to thank Dr. Zerbe for taking the time to share her responses to our questions in this blog. We look forward to her upcoming visit to Baltimore and her presentation on April 18th.  Dr. Zerbe’s books will be available for purchase at the symposium, but if you’re interested in purchasing them before the event, please visit Gurze Books online.

To download the program brochure or to register for the April 18th symposium, please visit our events page.  This event is open to all professionals who treat patients with eating disorders and has been approved for 6.25 CEUs for physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers and counselors and 6.5 credits for dietitians.  The discounted registration rate expires on April 10th and space is limited so don’t delay!  Please call (410) 938-4593 if you have any questions.

Published by Kate Clemmer
March 30th, 2009 in Celebrity Topical News
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ORTHOREXIA: Too Much of a Good Thing?

 

 

We’ve been told for years that healthful eating is wise. We can spout the numerous benefits to our health in terms of decreased disease risk, improved energy levels, and longer life expectancy, to name a few. Is it possible then, to be too concerned, even obsessed about healthy food, or eating in a healthful way?

Many health professionals would argue that, yes, healthful eating can be taken to the extreme. The term orthorexia was coined in the late 1990s by Steven Bratman, MD, and refers to a, “fixation on righteous eating.” It is important to remember that orthorexia is a non medical term and is not considered a clinical diagnosis or an official eating disorder.  Orthorexia does, however, represent a form of disordered eating which can easily progress into a number of clinically significant physical and emotional problems.  

Orthorexia is described as an obsession with the purity of food, and some health providers see a link to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and to the eating disorders of Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN).  Individuals with orthorexia have an unhealthy focus on the quality of food and, as a result, adhere to extremely rigid diets. Symptoms may include eating little to no processed foods, a focus on foods with too much or too little of a given nutrient, and consuming only organic and/or raw foods.  In a culture that often supports fad diets and the general labeling of foods as “bad” or “good”, these symptoms may sound harmless or even common.  In reality, this intense obsession with food purity is anything but harmless. 

Although it may sound like a paradox, as people become obsessed with healthy eating, they can become increasingly unhealthy.  Malnutrition, fatigue, weakness, osteoporosis, digestive problems and damage to internal organs can occur as a result of rigid and obsessive diets.  The emotional distress can be just as damaging. As is the case for many people with eating disorders, individuals dealing with orthorexia spend a great deal of time thinking about food and planning their meals.  A decreased enjoyment of food and eating may also occur.  The rigorous pursuit of “approved” foods can result in social isolation, depression, anxiety, decreased productivity and concentration, and the prioritizing of the diet above all else, including family and friends.   

How do you know if you’ve crossed the line from general attempts at healthy eating to the slippery slope of orthorexia and/or a possible eating disorder?  Listed below are some of the warning signs that could indicate the need for professional support.  Ask yourself the following questions:

Do you…

•  Constantly worry about the quality of food you ingest?

•  Feel superior to others who are less pure in their dietary habits?

• Categorize the majority of foods as dangerous, and only extremely pure, natural foods as safe?

•  Feel extreme guilt after eating “bad” foods that you consider to be unhealthy or impure?

•  Feel very competitive about food and/or criticize the eating habits of other people?

• Spend significant amounts of time each day thinking about or planning food and meals?

•  Eliminate foods you once enjoyed in order to eat the “right” foods?

• Have difficulty eating anywhere but at home due to your dietary restrictions? 

•  Feel more in control when you adhere strictly to your diet?

It’s important to remember that help is available.  Qualified health professionals can assist individuals in finding a comfortable, balanced relationship with food that restores pleasure and enjoyment to eating experiences. If you or someone you know struggle with the symptoms described above, please call The Center for Eating Disorders at (410) 938-5252 to speak with an Admissions Coordinator about treatment options.

Published by Kate Clemmer
March 17th, 2009 in Celebrity Topical News
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Did You Know That March is National Nutrition Month?

 

An Overview of NUTRITION THERAPY for Eating Disorders

Most would agree that nutrition plays a vital role in our lives and health. Individuals with eating disorders are no exception. Since concerns related to food and eating are a main component of an eating disorder, issues and goals related to nutrition become critical to the recovery process.

The primary goal of nutrition therapy is to assist in normalizing eating patterns; this includes adequately meeting the body’s nutritional needs, incorporating a wide variety of foods, increasing one’s awareness of body signals and becoming comfortable in one’s relationship with food. Other aspects of nutrition therapy include: monitoring weight and weight trends, discussing symptoms, meal planning and goal setting.

Benefits of nutrition therapy in eating disorder treatment can be seen in both the short and long term. As with other pieces of the recovery process, eating patterns will not necessarily change quickly. However, working with a registered dietitian (RD) can help support and encourage goal development, and enhance the overall treatment process. This is especially beneficial when nutrition therapy is used in conjunction with other aspects of treatment such as individual, group or family therapy.

March is National Nutrition Month.  It is a great opportunity to learn new facts about nutrition and reflect on any personal nutrition-related goals. If you are struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, you may want to consider working with a food and nutrition expert - a registered dietitian – for individual nutrition therapy.

Visit the Nutrition Therapy page on our website to learn more about the importance of nutrition services in the treatment of eating disorders. To speak with someone from The Center for Eating Disorders about meeting with one of our Registered Dietitians, please call (410) 938-5252. 

Written by Samantha Lewandowski, MS, RD, LDN, the Center for Eating Disorders’ Outpatient Nutritional Care Coordinator

Published by Kate Clemmer
March 9th, 2009 in Nutrition
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The Center for Eating Disorders celebrates the 23rd annual National Eating Disorders Awareness Week!

The mission of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is “to ultimately prevent eating disorders and body image issues while reducing the stigma surrounding eating disorders and improving access to treatment. Eating disorders are serious, life-threatening illnesses – not choices – and it’s important to recognize the pressures, attitudes and behaviors that shape the disorder.”  (http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/)

This year, the Center for Eating Disorders (CED) celebrated National Eating Disorders Awareness Week by sponsoring three events designed to help educate the community about eating disorders, promote the development of positive body image, and provide families with support in dealing with the stress eating disorders bring to the family.

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL.  On Sunday, Februray 22nd,  CED kicked-off the week with a double screening of the highly-acclaimed documentary, America the Beautiful, which delves into the pressures associated with our country’s obsession with beauty as it is defined by the media, cosmetic and fashion industries.  Almost 400 people came out to The Conference Center at Sheppard Pratt, to see the film, and to meet it’s writer, producer and director, Darryl Roberts.  Roberts engaged the audience in a Question & Answer session following each screening of the film and responded to many of their questions about topics such as his motivation for making the film and the repercussions he faced as a result of exposing the cosmetic companies and other major industries in his film.  If you missed the film this weekend, visit http://www.americathebeautifuldoc.com/ for the details and to hear updates about the DVD release! 

CED staff with America the Beautiful Director, Darryl Roberts (back row, right)

LOVE YOUR TREE. On Tuesday evening, February 22nd, more than 100 students, teachers and family from across Maryland, gathered to celebrate the artwork submitted as part of The CED’s 3rd annual Love Your Tree poster and body image campaign. Over 180 posters depicting students’ appreciation for their bodies and the theme, “like a tree, my body is…” were displayed in an exhibit and remain up for viewing through March 6th at The Conference Center at Sheppard Pratt.  The evening began with a recognition ceremony, during which Suzanne Collins, of WJZ News, gave a special welcome and personal message about the importance of positive body image.  Later in the evening, Ms. Collins and CED staff helped to unveil the inspiring artwork of Notre Dame Preparatory school student, Ayana Owens which was chosen to be reproduced and will be utilized to help spread the message about positive body image throughout the year. 

High school student, Ayana Owens (left) with her artwork and Julia Andersen, CED Expressive Therapy Coordinator and creator of the Love Your Tree poster and body image campaign  

In addition to these exciting events, The Center for Eating Disorders sponsored a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction seminar for families and caregivers of individuals with eating disorders on Thursday, February 24th.  Community Outreach Coordinators from the Center also spent the week traveling to colleges and universities providing eating disorder and body image education to students and faculty. 

The Center for Eating Disorders is committed to eating disorder awareness and prevention efforts throughout the year.  If your school or organization is interested in hosting a presentation about eating disorders and/or body image please call (410) 427-3886 or email kclemmer@sheppardpratt.org.

Published by Kate Clemmer
March 3rd, 2009 in Celebrity Topical News
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