For
most of us, enjoying food is one of life’s simple pleasures.
For some, this basic part of life becomes significantly altered
and food can come to be seen as an enemy or a savior. Either
of these extremes is an indication of deeper issues. We hope
you find the interviews with Cynthia Bulik, PhD, Director
of UNC Eating Disorder Program, and ACC’s own Rebecca
Lowry both informative and helpful about the complex issue
of eating disorders.
Dr. Joe Verga
Executive Director, ACC |
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OCTOBER FEATURES
Eating Disorders, 101
Eating Disorders:
Who, When, What Do I Do?
Friends of ACC—
Joe & Beth Lineberry
Book Reviews
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Eating Disorders, 101
An Interview with Cynthia M. Bulik, PhD FAED
Director, UNC Eating Disorders Program, UNC-Chapel Hill
What are the clinical definitions for the most
common types of eating disorders?
· Anorexia nervosa…Individuals
are unable or unwilling to maintain a body weight which
is normal or expected for their age and height. Typically,
this means that a person is less than 85% of their expected
weight. Even so, they continue to be fearful of weight gain.
Their thoughts and feelings about their size and shape have
a profound impact on their sense of self and their self-esteem.
Anorexia Nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric
disorder.
· Bulimia nervosa…Individuals
with this diagnosis experience binge-eating episodes which
are marked by eating an unusually large amount of food,
usually in a discrete period of time, but feel out of control
while doing so. The sense of being out of control is what
distinguishes binge-eating from regular overeating. It is
followed by attempts to “undo” the consequences
of the binge by using unhealthy compensatory behaviors such
as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, misuse of
laxatives, etc.
· Binge eating disorder…Individuals
with this diagnosis engage in binge eating but do not regularly
use inappropriate compensatory weight control behaviors
such as fasting or purging. Feelings of shame and embarrassment
are prominent. It is often, but not always, associated with
overweight and obesity. Read
More |
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 Eating
Disorders: Who, When, What to Do
An Interview with Rebecca Lowry, MA LPC
Although a person of any age or gender may suffer with an
eating disorder, who is most commonly affected?
The prevalence is higher among females, but it is rising in males,
for all types of eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia, binge
eating and compulsive overeating. Anorexia afflicts girls and women
9 times more often than boys and men
The age range is widening as well. The most common age group is
probably teens to early twenties. It is rampant on college campuses,
but it is not uncommon in preteens and older adults. Dr. Jantz [see
Book Reviews] believes that the peak time for developing an eating
disorder is between 11 and 13. Read
More.
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Friends of ACC - Joe and Beth Lineberry
As Associates in Christian Counseling approaches
its 15th anniversary, it seemed an appropriate time to interview
some “Friends” who have been there since the beginning.
Read
More
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Book Reviews
Dying to be Thin: Understanding and
Defeating Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia—A Practical,
Lifesaving Guide
Ira. M. Sacker, MD, and Marc A. Zimmer, PhD
Warner Books, 1987
Uses case histories and first-person accounts by patients,
their families, physicians, and friends. Is a complete resource
for anyone concerned with these dangerous disorders.
Hope, Help, and Healing for Eating
Disorders
Gregory L. Jantz, PhD
Shaw, 2002
Outlines a comprehensive, holistic, and practical approach
to bring spiritual, relational and physical elements into
the healing process.
“Mom, I Fee Fat”: Becoming
Your Daughter’s Ally in Developing a Healthy Body Image
Sharon A. Hersh
Shaw, 2001
Timely, culturally informed, realistic, and Biblically based.
This is a sensitive, thoughtful, and valuable resource for
mother’s of girls. It will help raise young women with
healthy body image and self-esteem
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Now What Do I Do
· Know the signs
of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
· Discuss your concerns
with the individual before deciding she does have an eating
disorder (i.e., make sure she just hasn't had a bout of the
flu).
· Discuss your concerns
with a resource available to you such as nutritionist, counselor
or other health professional.
· In discussing your
concerns with the individual, be compassionate and open and
try to do it in an informal manner rather than a structured
interview so that she doesn't feel you are talking to her
as a "professional," but as a concerned person to
whom she can turn.
· In your discussion,
convey your concerns about her health and functioning -don't
just focus on weight loss or body size. Let her know the ways
in which you may be able to help her (by getting literature
or the name of a counselor or nutritionist).
· Have patience -
expect to be rejected at first. (It's frightening to admit
you have a problem that is out of control and the thought
of giving up the behavior is even more frightening). Make
sure you leave her with the impression that you do think the
situation is serious and that you'd like to speak to her again
about it.
· Throughout the
whole process of detection, referral, and recovery, keep the
focus on the goal of feeling healthy (physically, emotionally,
psychologically, relationship wise)
· Don't make promises
you can't keep. (i.e. don't promise you won't "tell,"
if you feel the person's health is in danger.)
· Be aware of community
resources and what to do in an emergency.
· Know your limits.
Do not get over-involved in terms of trying to offer "therapeutic"
advice. These are complicated, dangerous, and often difficult-to-treat
disorders that generally require a whole team approach to
treatment. You do no want to become a substitute for professional
care.
Reprinted with permission by Dr. Marcia
Herrin. For more information please contact: Dartmouth College
Nutrition Education Program at (603) 650-1414, or Eating Disorders
Awareness and Prevention, Inc. (EDAP) at 603 Stewart Street,
Suite 803, Seattle, W A 98101. (206) 382-3587.
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| United
Way - A Way to Give |
Wachovia
- A Matching Program |
| Each
fall brings the United Way campaign to our community.
Did you know you may
designate that your donation be given to
Associates in Christian Counseling?
ACC’s code number
is 2062.
If you write 2062
on the United Way form,
ACC will receive your gift.
|
Wachovia employees
have a special opportunity to support
Associates in Christian Counseling.
Any gift of up to $1000/year given directly to ACC will
be matched by
Wachovia!
Simply give your gift to ACC along with your completed Matching
Gift Form.
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| Fast
Facts |
| 42%
of 1st-3rd
grade girls want to be thinner
81% 10 year olds
are afraid of being fat
Average American
woman:
5’ 4”, 140 lbs
Average American
model:
5’ 11”, 117 lbs
For more info
click
here
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A Thought |
| To
promise not to do a thing is the surest way in the world to make
a body want to go and do that very thing.
Mark Twain,
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
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| Wish
List |
| We
are in need of some additional computers,
Pentium 3 or newer. Due to space constraint, laptops are preferable
but not essential.
If you are able to
help, please contact
Rick Cole at
896-0065, ext. 205, or via email.
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