Eating Disorder Awareness Week takes place from February 26th- March 3rd this year. The week is dedicated to raising awareness about Eating disorders. Eating disorders can have serious mental and physical effects. Of all psychiatric illnesses, eating disorders have the highest mortality rates, not only because of medical complications, but also because of the increased rate of suicide among individuals dealing with an eating disorder.
The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders states that an estimated 9% (28.8 million) of the United States population will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. Notably, they are most prevalent in adolescents and young adults. Although the exact cause of eating disorders is unknown, they have been linked to a combination of genetic, psychological, environmental, and social factors.
To learn more about Eating disorders, Spartan Banner reached out to Dr. Maves, an Assistant professor in the Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Dr. Maves also sees clinical cases of Eating disorders at her clinic. Dr. Maves emphasized that understanding eating disorders is crucial for individuals at any age since they can affect anyone, furthering that, “The myth that eating disorders only occur in thin, young, white women persists and leads people to overlook the struggles of persons of other shapes, sizes, and genders.”
What are the common types of Eating Disorders you see in your practice?
Dr. Maves: When most people think of eating disorders they think of a thin person with anorexia nervosa, but bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder are both more common than anorexia. There is also a more recently added diagnosis called atypical anorexia nervosa, where patients have all the features of anorexia nervosa, but despite significant weight loss, their weight is still within or above what is considered a normal range. I am trained in both internal medicine and psychiatry and work in both inpatient and outpatient settings and see a mixture of all eating disorders.
What is the common cause of ED?
Dr. Maves: We don’t fully understand what causes someone to develop an eating disorder, but it is likely a combination of factors. Some people are genetically or biologically more vulnerable, and other factors such as restrictive diets or psychological stressors can lead to the onset of the eating disorder.
What does the treatment and road-up recovery look like?
Dr. Maves: Everyone’s treatment and recovery journey looks a little different. We usually recommend people have a multidisciplinary treatment team including a therapist, dietitian, psychiatrist, and primary care doctor. The majority of treatment occurs in the outpatient setting though some people require higher levels of care such as partial hospitalization, residential, or inpatient treatment for medical stabilization, interruption of eating disorder behaviors, or weight restoration.
What are the major challenges in getting treatment?
Dr. Maves: Multiple factors make it difficult to get treatment for an eating disorder. It is not uncommon for people with eating disorders to feel like they are “not sick enough” to get treatment or to feel like they do not deserve treatment. There is still a common misconception that most people with eating disorders are underweight and this belief can make it more difficult for people to recognize that there is a problem or feel like they need treatment. Insurance coverage can be challenging for treatment, particularly for people with normal or higher weight.
What advice do you have for high school students struggling with eating disorders?
Dr. Maves: There can be a lot of guilt and shame surrounding eating disorder behaviors which makes it hard to ask for help. Eating disorders thrive in secrecy so it’s important to have support (personal and/or professional). The path to recovery is often challenging and may not be linear but many people have successfully overcome an eating disorder to have fulfilling lives.
While Eating Disorder Awareness Week may be coming to an end, the value of increasing awareness about eating disorders remains intact. The first step to recovery is to recognize the signs of eating disorders and seek help. By increasing awareness about eating disorders and staying informed, students at our school will be able to better support their peers in seeking help and collectively reduce the stigma around eating disorders.
