It’s easy to fall in love with gymnastics. The sparkly uniforms, the bouncy ponytails, and the encouraging hugs from a coach make little girls watching the televised events ready to sign up and be a part of the team, no matter what. But many girls who do enter the world of gymnastics soon find that […]
Are Gymnasts at Higher Risk for Eating Disorders? Read More »
More than 28 million men and women in the US struggle with eating disorders that negatively affect their physical and mental health. What is avoidant restrictive food intake? It’s a new type of eating disorder that doesn’t have the same body image issues as anorexia and bulimia. Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder treatment can help
What Is Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake? Read More »
In recent years, studies have shown that almost half of those who have an eating disorder also regularly abuse drugs or alcohol. Approximately 35% of people who abuse drugs or alcohol also have an eating disorder. This trend is particularly common in young teenage girls, so parents should take note of this in case they
Eating Disorders and Alcoholism Read More »
For those with food-related challenges or an eating disorder, the holidays are full of events that can trigger addictive thoughts and behaviors. Triggers can be anxiety-provoking and stressful, setting a negative tone for the entire holiday season. Depending on which type of eating disorder your loved one has, giving in to temptations — or even just
Tips for Supporting a Loved One With an Eating Disorder During the Holidays Read More »
What psychology is at play in the eating disorder anorexia nervosa? A new movie called “To the Bone” starring Lily Collins seems to support the theory, somewhat tangentially, that anorexia involves a psychology of wanting to feel in control and accepted. As the anorexic starves herself, she overcomes temptation and achieves rigid control over her
Anorexia: Are you Literally Dying to Feel in Control or Accepted? Read More »
“You can never be too rich or too thin” said Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor. “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels,” said Kate Moss, international supermodel. Such statements from iconic and famously slender women have become a kind of mantra for generations of women, who often develop low self-esteem and body image issues if
How Exercise Helps Treat Body Image Issues Read More »
By Elizabeth Langreck, MS, RDN, Director of Nutrition at Promises Scottsdale Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder are life-altering, life-threatening psychological illnesses characterized by extreme eating habits and an obsession with body weight or shape. Eating disorders do not discriminate. Men and women of all ages, races, religions, sizes, education levels and socioeconomic
Just Eat: Questioning the Concept of ‘Choice’ in Eating Disorders Read More »
One of the first questions people struggling with eating disorders ask is how to get these crazy thoughts about food, weight and body image out of their head. What is the best treatment to stop these obsessive thoughts and the compulsive nature of the eating disorder behaviors? The answer is simple, FOOD, in an adequate
Food Is the Best Medicine for Eating Disorders Read More »
Eating disorders are a group of mental health conditions that includes anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. Roughly 30 million Americans will develop the symptoms of one of these conditions at one time or another. Decades of research indicate that you can potentially ease the symptoms of an eating disorder with the help
Psychodrama for Eating Disorders Read More »
Just a year ago binge eating disorder (BED) was not a recognized mental health diagnosis. Though first described in 1959, it wasn’t until May 2013 that it was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health. BED has already become the leading eating disorder affecting Americans.
Binge Eating Disorder Becoming Common Read More »