Posts Tagged ‘Ohio’

This article talks about the health repercussions of eating disorders. Please use your own discretion. And speak with your therapist when needed.

The harsh reality of eating disorder mortality rates

Eating disorders kill. This is a harsh reality. Our clients are reminded about this fact from their loved ones, doctors and therapists. Yet, many of our clients believe that it will be someone else who dies and not them.

Eating disorders impact about 30 million people in the United States. They are associated with high levels of premature mortality, including an increased risk for suicide. Without treatment, up to 20 percent of people with a serious eating disorder will die. These are sobering statistics.

The two letters below were written by (former) clients to their eating disorders. With their permission, we share these letters to inspire others to seek treatment and fight for recovery.

Article: Focus on Perfectionism in Female Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa. International Journal of Eating Disorders, vol 48:7 936-941. Hurst & Zimmer-Gembeck, 2015

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a difficult illness to recover from for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it’s life-threatening and secondly, the treatments available do not yield high success rates and are in need of improvement.

By Mark Warren, MD

I have often wondered why there are so many stigmas around eating disorders. People tend to engage in eating disordered behaviors, whether it’s bingeing, purging, compulsive exercise or significant food restriction, when they are alone. There is something so profound about this disease that behaviors can only be done in secret.

In the last 10 years, the notion that eating disorders are biologically based illnesses has begun to gain significant traction both inside and outside the eating disorder community.

Following “The Decade of the Brain” in the ’90s and the explosion of research in brain chemistry, anatomy and function, we now better understand how we are susceptible to eating disorders based on a pre-existing neurological status and how our personalities, behaviors and experiences in eating disorders are all linked.

It is estimated 95 percent of those who suffer from an eating disorder are between the ages of 12 and 25, according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.

That’s why The Emily Program – Cleveland has tailored its programs to meet the individual needs of children and teens, in addition to adults.