"It's more important to know where you are going than to get there quickly."
A.B. Witt
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are complex and multidimensional health concerns. They typically involve an interplay between distorted body image, a disturbed relationship with food and exercise, complicated relationships with others, trauma, unrealistic societal standards of beauty and a genetic pre-dispositioning. Most eating disorders begin in childhood but may not fully develop until adolescence or early adulthood. Some eating disorders remit with treatment only to resurface later in life.
It is estimated that approximately 36 million Americans struggle with an eating disorder. The most common of which is binge eating disorder, followed by bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa. It is widely believed that millions more struggle with disordered eating, which can be just as destructive as a clinically diagnosable eating disorder.
Regardless of the label, all challenges with food and body have secrecy and shame attached to them. These powerful emotions often lead to isolation, depression, and anxiety. If you are concerned about yourself or someone you care about take the simple quiz below:
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Are you constantly thinking about your weight or shape?
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Are you frequently on a diet or thinking about starting one?
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Do you label foods as good or bad?
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Are other people concerned about how much you eat or your weight?
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Do you feel tired a great deal of the time, have trouble focusing, concentrating or sleeping?
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If you are female, are your periods normal?
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Do you have specific routines or rituals around food or eating?
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Do you avoid eating in front of other people?
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Do you often overeat or feel out of control around food?
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Are you vomiting, using laxatives, water pills, herbal agents or trying to fast for weight loss?
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At times do you chew your food and spit it out?
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Are you exercising frequently or for long periods of time for the purpose of buying calories?
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Is your weight repeatedly fluctuating?
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Do you frequently skip meals?
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Do any of the above interfere with your enjoyment of life, relationships or everyday activities?
If you answered yes to 3 or more of the above questions, you have reason to be concerned. No one should have to live with the shame and isolation that an eating disorder creates. Treatment is complex, much like the eating disorders themselves, and should always involve a team of trained and experienced professionals.
For an individual consultation, please contact me at lamaul@sbcglobal.net.
If you are interested in group treatment, below you will find the current groups I am offering.