National Eating Disorder Awareness Week highlights issue facing 30 million Americans
Jeremy Williams |
At least 30 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder in the United States. Every 62 minutes, at least one person dies as a direct result from an eating disorder, and eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.
This week, Lipscomb University joins thousands of organizations nationwide in acknowledging National Eating Disorder Awareness Week.
"A whole range of issues can cause eating disorders. It may begin as a way to hide other concerns, and may be a symptom of thoughts, behaviors and feelings over which the person does not feel control," said Andrea Mills, assistant director of Lipscomb's Counseling Center. "These other concerns may be the catalysts for restricting caloric intake or for binge/purge cycles. Either of these can result in serious health problems and even death."
Mills said that some "red flags" for recognizing the early stages of eating disorders are:
Anorexia Nervosa — loss of menstrual period, dieting when not overweight, claiming to feel "fat" when not overweight, preoccupation with food and calories, denial of hunger, intense fear of gaining weight or being fat, excessive exercising and frequent weighing.
Bulimia Nervosa — excessive concern about weight, strict dieting followed by eating binges, frequent overeating especially when distressed, binging on high calorie food, expressing guilt about eating, secretive vomiting and the use of laxatives
Working in conjunction with Screening for Mental Health, Lipscomb's Counseling Center offers access to online screenings for eating disorders. A screening consists of a series of questions designed to indicate whether symptoms of an eating disorder are present and if clinical help is needed. After completing a screening, participants receive immediate feedback and referral information for local resources that offer further evaluation and treatment.
To take an anonymous online screening, click here.
Mills said that online screenings are an effective first step in eating disorder intervention. Similar to other illnesses, early intervention can significantly increase recovery. National Eating Disorder Awareness Week brings attention to the critical needs of people with eating disorders and their families.
Lipscomb's Counseling Center provides a number of services including counseling for those who may be struggling with an eating disorder. Contact the University Counseling Center at 615.966.1781 or complete the online appointment request form.