National Eating Disorder Awareness Week
February 28th, 2009 |
A GoodTherapy.org News Update Presented by Daniel Brezenoff, LCSW
February 22-29 has been declared “National Eating Disorder Awareness Week.” Major media outlets including MSNBC, USA Today and the Washington Post have provided coverage of related events and offer important information for people with eating disorders, their families and friends, and the general public.
Eating disorders are sometimes considered among the deadliest of mental health issues, accounting for about half-a-million deaths each year – a mortality rate of 20%, higher than any other disorder. Eating disorders affect mostly women; 9 of ten people diagnosed are female.
Despite an apparent rise in eating disorders nationally and internationally, primary care physicians often fail to spot their presence in patients, according to the most recent research. Eating disorders are best treated when caught early, so better identification of these conditions by doctors is extremely important.
NEDAW events include educational fairs in many major cities and on college campuses, as well as several televised segments on the subject. Interested persons can contact the National Eating Disorders Association at www.nationaleatingdisorders.org or by calling 800 931 2237.
©Copyright 2009 by GoodTherapy.org All Rights Reserved. Questions or concerns about the following article can be directed to the author or posted as a comment to this blog entry. Click here to contact Daniel and/or see his GoodTherapy.org Profile
10 comments so far
I had posted earlier in the week that my granddaughter suffers from an eating disorder so I was so glad to see this article here. I am checking out the website to see if we have missed anything with her treatment or if there are any other avenues for her to try. Thanks so much for posting this here.
As a male who struggled for years with both anorexia and bulimia I am here to say that it about time that these disorders began to get the recognition that they deserve! You would not believe how many times over the course of my own treatment that people who were well meaning would say things like I was just being too vain and to stop caring so much about what I looked like. But after years of treatment and therapy I came to realize that eating disorders are about so much more than that yet it is difficult to explain to anyone who has never experienced this before. I was fortunate enough to have friends and family who cared enough about me to support me and get me to a healthy place in my life (finally!) but we cannot do that while telling those who suffer that they just need to shake it off and get over it. Anorexia and bulimia, as well as overeating, go far deeper than that, and for many like me, it takes years of pretty intensive treatment to overcome. There are still days where I struggle but I know that I have the power to get past it and I do, but it is still a day to day process.
Appreciate the attention eating disorders are getting here. My sister fought anorexia for years and died last year. This effort to get out the message feels like a tribute to her and all that she was and could have been.
this is really a great idea on getting the news and info out there on eating disorders.. So many girls want to be like the models and actresses in magazines and tv, and we wonder why they feel they have to look that way. Great article.
It’s so sad to hear that girls are going thru this. They need family and friends to get them the help they need and support and understanding… along with therapy on how to overcome and understand this disease.
I agree with Hal. I think Anorexia and Bulimia are more than diseases and there should be abundance of help out there for people who suffer with this. I am fortunate to not have went thru this, but I have witnessed my sister in law going thru this and the doctor just looked at her and told her she just needed to start eating and stop treating her body badly… Some doctor.. From what she said, he pretty well accused her of something awful.
maybe doctors should be a little more understanding when it comes to illness as bulimia and anorexia. I would hate to have to go to a doctor for help and they just look at as if they were judging me. These girls, men or adults who need help, need someone understanding
It’s great to see that there is help out there for these girls that need it. Anyone dealing with bulimia and anorexia need the understanding and help from loved ones as well as therapist… even tho a lot of girls tend to at first not want to listen because they want to be thinner to feel better..
For the girls or boys that need help, I wonder if they have insurance if this would cover something like this for them to get help? This is an illness that I understand, can eventually kill someone if they don’t get help.
cool stuff i hope i get to read more updates