Archive for July, 2009

Over Focus on Overweight

The internet was buzzing with news after President Barack Obama nominated Regina Benjamin, a physician from Alabama, to be our next surgeon general. Some articles reported the facts of the nomination and the speeches that followed. Many listed Dr. Benjamin’s credentials: she studied at Morehouse and the Alabama School of Medicine; started a family practice in a fishing village in Alabama; got her MBA at Tulane; and converted her practice to a medical clinic for the poor. In her clinic, if patients could not pay, she treated them for free. Hurricanes George and Katrina twice destroyed the clinic, and she went into debt to rebuild it. As she went through this journey, she was awarded the title of one of Time Magazine’s “50 Future Leaders, Age 40 and Under” and won a MacArthur “genius” grant. (Just to name two of her many accolades). These articles certainly shed light on what appears to be a dedicated professional who goes above and beyond the call of duty.

However, not all reports were positive. While some were applauding her nomination, others were not as pleased. The debate on a candidate usually focuses on the person’s qualifications which a few people did express concerns about, citing her lack of experience for a post of this stature. A couple individuals also commented that they suspect her nomination was due to race and not her qualifications. However, the majority of online articles discussing why Dr. Benjamin should not be confirmed for this position settled solely on her “shape”. One such article entitled, “Is Regina Benjamin Too Fat to be Surgeon General?” discusses the fact that critics within the community believe that the individual who will be in charge of the “War on Obesity” should not appear to have an issue with weight herself. The debate rages on about Dr. Benjamin’s need to lose weight, and about individuals’ refusal to let fat be socially acceptable.

We at the Center for Eating Disorders are saddened that despite tremendous education in the community, there is still so much more work to be done. People clearly remain convinced that there is only one body type that all Americans should aspire to be. Have we forgotten that people come in all shapes and sizes? Genetically, each person is built to be different; some individuals are created to be shorter, taller, smaller, or larger. The misperception that size equates with health and is a measure of one’s competence is a longstanding prejudice.

As a matter a fact, a recent study published in the Journal of Obesity (June 2009) looked at the body mass index of Canadians (11,326 individuals aged 25 or older) in the 1994-95 National Population Health Survey. They followed up with these individuals 12 years later to find that the risk of death was significantly higher for people who were underweight or very obese, but that overweight people actually had a significantly lower risk of death. In fact, it is thought that being overweight may serve as a protective factor against mortality.  Previous studies have produced similar results, but this was the largest study of its kind to date.

Clearly, this information highlights that it is time to rethink our automatic associations between size and health.  We at The Center for Eating Disorders urge that the nomination of Regina Benjamin be evaluated solely on her credentials and accomplishments and not on her size or body type.

Do you have thoughts on this issue? Join in on the discussion on our discussion board!

Published by Sarah Blake
July 31st, 2009 in Celebrity Topical News
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Smart Apps for Your Smartphone

     

The iPhone is not the only application-oriented phone to host the potentially dangerous weight-loss apps discussed in our previous blog.  It’s clear that the accessibility and overwhelming preponderence of these apps have also overcome the Palm Pre, the Blackberry Storm, the Sprint Samsung Instinct, the LG Voyager and others too.  With all of the amazing things we can do on our phones today, we are wondering why people are choosing to spend their handheld time entering tidbits of information about their intake and exercise?

Before you jump on the calorie-counting bandwagon, why not think about uploading one of these more useful and healthful applications for your phone instead: 

  • Relax v2.2 for the iPhone:  This app will transport you to the high-definition sights and sounds of various getaways including ”Night in Paradise”, ”Mountain Stream”, “Campfire” and “Under the Sea”.  A great tool for relaxation!
  • Spanish Anywhere  for the LGVoyager: Helps you learn Spanish by providing translation and lessons in speaking the language.  A positive way to spend free time alone or with a buddy!
  • Pandora for the Palm Pre:  Creates live streaming radio stations based on your personal music preferences.  What could be better than some tunes to cheer you up?
  • Sleep Well for the Sprint Samsung phones: Listen to a “personal relxation trainer” guide you through techniques that have been used for over 3000 years to effectively reduce insomnia.

Have you found other apps that are useful in promoting well-being and healthful living without focusing on weight and body size?  Share your thoughts on our discussion board or on the Center for Eating Disorders’ Facebook page .

Published by Kate Clemmer
July 29th, 2009 in Celebrity Topical News
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iPhone Apps: Downright Dangerous in the Wrong Hands

They can navigate you safely to your destination, identify a song playing in the background, and keep you busy with endless games while riding the bus to work or school, but some iPhone applications are not so helpful and could become harmful to their users.  Eating disorder experts have observed that new handheld applications, designed to aid users in reaching weight loss goals, can easily perpetuate a serious eating disorder (ED) or become the catalyst for the development of an ED in those who are at-risk.  

One of these weight monitoring iPhone applications boasts in an advertisement that it is, “a tool for people who are serious about tracking their weight…you can’t control your weight unless you are aware of how it is changing.”  This ability to track minute details of nutritional intake 24 hours a day from the palm of your hand, and the desire to establish, the always elusive, ”control” over one’s eating and weight could be easily abused by anyone with disordered eating patterns.  In fact, many of the application’s features promote or even mimic actual signs and symptoms of a serious ED.  Frequent weighing, micromanaging food intake, and excessive monitoring of calories spent during exercise are all signs that someone may have an ED.  These potentially dangerous actions are encouraged by the iPhone applications which assign technical names to the disordered eating patterns such as the setting of a “daily caloric budget” and the use of a “nutritional database”.        

What may be most dangerous about these applications is the illusion they create that this level of excessive monitoring of food, weight, and exercise represents a normal, healthy lifestyle.  At the Center for Eating Disorders, we strive to help people develop healthy relationships with food and an appreciation for their bodies, regardless of weight or size.  Unfortunately, applications such as the ones described above, seem to be doing the exact opposite.

Tools like this may be benign, although time-consuming and unnecessary, in the hands of people who are not vulnerable to EDs.  However, the thoughts and behaviors they encourage could be life threatening to someone with an ED or to someone who is at-risk for developing one.  It is increasingly important that we, as a community and as individuals, are aware of the risks associated with our ever-expanding world of technology and the effects it may be having on the people in our lives. 

If you are concerned about a friend or loved one who is struggling with disordered eating or you would like more information about eating disorders, please call us at (410) 938-5252 and explore our website at www.eatingdisorder.org .

Published by Kate Clemmer
July 27th, 2009 in Editor's Picks, In the News
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Dance/Movement Therapy for Eating Disorders

“Based on the understanding that the body and mind are interrelated, dance/movement therapy is defined as the psychotherapeutic use of movement to further the emotional, cognitive, physical, and social integration of the individual.” 

- American Dance Therapy Association

Photo courtesy of http://www.bowsart.org/

Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) is one of several types of expressive therapy provided to patients at the Center for Eating Disorders.  This type of therapy provides patients with the opportunity to use guided movements and dance as a creative, nonverbal outlet for thoughts and feelings that are often masked by their eating disorders.  DMT is also a beneficial tool for helping patients re-establish a healthy connection with their body.

Using carefully monitored movements and breathing techniques, Dance/Movement Therapists help to guide patients in developing body awareness and tolerance. This can be beneficial for individuals with eating disorders because eating disorders, characteristically, interfere with natural body cues such as hunger and satiation.  DMT groups may also utilize props and imagery to assist in the therapeutic process.  Patients are encouraged to challenge body image distortions and address destructive behaviors that are sometimes influenced by media or societal pressure.  DMT encourages the opportunity for patients to welcome and attend to physical and emotional needs, while strengthening their self-esteem and self-worth. 

DMT groups also help patients build trust and safety through group interactions, leading them to reflect on how eating disorders can affect relationship dynamics.  During DMT groups at The Center for Eating Disorders, education is provided about the dangers of compulsive, excessive exercise and how it can be detrimental or counterproductive to successful recovery from an eating disorder.  Patients are guided through DMT to explore healthy activities and behaviors that support their recovery. 

DMT is a specialized form of expressive arts therapy and is practiced by a master’s level therapist.  Dance/movement therapists are educated in foundations of counseling and developmental theory while integrating dance/movement techniques.  As part of the treatment process at the Center for Eating Disorders, DMT aims to treat the whole person and enhance the journey toward healing and recovery.  For more information on the uses and benefits of DMT, visit the American Dance Therapy Association at http://www.adta.org/.  

Written by Erin M. Alfree, MA, ADTR, Dance/Movement Therapist at the Center for Eating Disorders

Published by Kate Clemmer
July 16th, 2009 in Celebrity Topical News
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Cognitive Distortions: Define, Discover & Disprove

Cognitive distortion is a term used to describe a pattern of thinking, or “self-talk”, that consistently shifts life events into a negative framework.  When automatic thoughts continually send us negative messages, we often begin to believe they are true.  This can lead to feelings such as sadness, anger, shame, hopelessness, and anxiety which can perpetuate a depressed mood and may trigger disordered eating.  The first step in overcoming negative thoughts is learning to identify them.  There are many different types of cognitive distortions; some of these are described below:

  • All-or-Nothing Thinking:  Also known as ”black & white thinking”, this occurs when things are thought of in extremes with no middle ground or grey zone.  Ex) “I woke up late and now my whole day is ruined.”
  • Discounting: Downplaying or disregarding the positive elements of a situation.  Ex) “I shouldn’t have gotten an award for that project, anyone could have done that.” OR  ”She only told me I looked beautiful because she’s my friend and she was trying to make me feel better.”
  • Filtering: Focusing on and magnifying the negative aspects while ignoring important positive information  Ex)  ”My boss chose to publish the article I wrote but he made so many changes and edits to it – he must have thought it was awful.”
  • Overgeneralization: the assumption that one small negative event is a continually occurring problem; often includes words such as “never”, “always”, and “every”.  Ex) “I never win anything.” OR ”I always mess everything up.” OR “Everyone thinks I am annoying”
  • Fortune Telling: making a prediction about how something will turn out as though it is already a fact  Ex) ”I just know there is going to be terrible weather on my wedding day and nothing will turn out the way I planned.”   
  • Mind Reading:  making assumptions about what other people are thinking  Ex)  “Everybody thinks I’m too young and inexperienced to do this job.” OR ”He would never even consider going out on a date with me.” 

Once you can identify the cognitive distortions you are struggling with, you can begin to challenge the thoughts and substitute them with more accurate facts and/or positive thoughts.  The best way to overcome cognitive distortions is to work with a therapist who can help you learn to process and restructure thinking patterns that are causing you distress.  However, you can begin to undo cognitive distortions by challenging your own automatic thoughts.  Next time you’re feeling  triggered or are tempted to act on symptoms, write down the thoughts you are having, and ask yourself the following questions: 

What’s the evidence? 

Am I confusing a thought with a fact? 

Am I thinking in all-or-nothing terms? 

What’s the source of my information? 

Am I confusing a rare occurrence with a common one? 

What difference will this make in a week, a year, or ten years? 

Am I overlooking my strengths?

Am I assuming every situation is the same? 

These may sound like simple questions with obvious answers but you may find out a lot about your thoughts when you begin to challenge them.  In fact, you might find that some of the difficult feelings you experience are triggered by thoughts that you didn’t even realize you were having.  It takes time and effort, but eventually it is possible to turn off these automatic negative thoughts and “turn on” a more positive soundtrack for your life.  Why not try it today?

If you are struggling with negative thoughts and are interested in seeking treatment for an eating disorder, please call our admissions counselors at (410) 938-5252.

  Above photo courtesy of papergoods.com

 

Published by Kate Clemmer
July 14th, 2009 in Body Image, Celebrity Topical News, Glossary Definitions
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Anorexia & Autism

 

In our previous blog, The Science of Eating Disorders, we discussed the importance of ongoing research regarding the genetic origins of eating disorders.  This focus has many implications for improving prevention, identification and treatment efforts.  One example of this topic was highlighted in a recent Time Magazine article focusing on new research that uncovered possible genetic links between anorexia and autism.  Autism is a brain development disorder that develops prior to age three and affects boys at a much higher rate than girls.  In comparison, anorexia nervosa (AN) affects females at a higher rate than males, and the average age of onset is between 14 and 18.  While on the surface these two disorders may seem like unlikely partners, recent research and clinical observations may prove differently.  In fact, according to the article, research suggests that approximately 15% to 20% of patients with AN may also have Asperger’s syndrome, which is on the Autism Spectrum.  The Time Magazine article addresses possible explanations for the underlying similarities between autism and AN and elaborates on further connections between the two disorders.  Several of these main points are summarized and excerpted below:  

  • Emotion regulation is a common trait among individuals with autism and in those with AN.
  • “There is evidence that the ‘repetitive thoughts and behaviors, rigid routines and rituals and perfectionism’ that characterize both autism and AN may be traced to the same regions in the brain.”
  • It’s possible that the development of autism and the development of AN actually rely on the same genetic predisposition but it may manifest differently depending on an individual’s gender.
  •  ”Starvation itself intensifies autistic characteristics like rigidity and obsession.”
  • Underweight individuals with AN performed poorly on a test of interpreting other people’s emotions.  The test was originally developed to study impaired social interactions in people with autism-spectrum disorders.
  • “The theory is that hunger focuses the brain so sharply on the task of getting food that it shuts down higher cognitive functions, like reading other people’s emotions.”

To find out more about this topic, read the full length article, A Genetic Link Between Anorexia and Autism? and post your comments about this topic on our discussion board.

Published by Kate Clemmer
July 1st, 2009 in Celebrity Topical News, Editor's Picks, Glossary Definitions, In the News
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