Top Five Myths About Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia is an eating disorder that is often misunderstood. By acting on misconceptions about the disorder, well-meaning parents or loved ones of an individual suffering from bulimia may inhibit recovery and healing. As with common myths and misconceptions about anorexia, myths about bulimia are devised for any number of reasons from simple ignorance to denial. […]
If It’s Not One Thing, It’s Your Mother
All addictions, including food addictions, develop as a result of a delicate “dance” between an individual’s genetic predisposition and environmental inputs. Studies suggest that the percentage of genetic predisposition can be as high as 50%. This could sound like an alarming statistic until you consider the flip side of that same number – 50% of […]
When Do You Need Inpatient Care for an Eating Disorder?
Eating disorders exist on a wide range of severity levels. Some people with eating disorders are able to maintain their lives with few symptoms or complications from their disease. Others have reached such an extreme level that the patient’s life is in clear danger. Treatment options for an eating disorder also range from regular therapeutic […]
Understanding Binge Eating
Binge eating, also called compulsive overeating, is an addiction defined by an individual’s inability to control how much they eat. Binge eaters often eat in secrecy, or while doing other things like watching TV. Sometimes, a binge eater’s bedroom is where the eating takes place, and wrappers and food packages may be found under the […]
Tell-Tale Signs of Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Body dysmorphic disorder can be a vicious cycle – a trap leading to unhealthy eating and exercise patterns resulting in eating disorders. Body dysmorphic disorder is a mental illness in which an individual obsesses over minor or imagined physical flaws. A person suffering from body dysmorphic disorder tends to view his or her appearance differently than […]
Avoid Common Holiday Eating Disorder Triggers
Holiday meals, sweet treats, buffet-style dining and holiday candy can result in binge eating for many Americans. For individuals who suffer from eating disorders, including bulimia nervosa, compulsive over-eating and binge eating, the holidays can spell disaster. A new holiday season is here. With Halloween now behind us, the 2012 holiday season has officially begun. […]
Alumni 3-Day Workshop with Tennie McCarty
With so many of our alumni writing in, Tennie is facilitating a “Time with Tennie…Get Ready for the Holidays” workshop. The dates for the workshop are Nov. 29 – Dec. 2 and Dec. 13 – Dec. 16. Check-in will be on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. and activities will conclude on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. The …
Five Healthy Tips for Coping with the Media’s Messages about Beauty
We are bombarded today with mixed messages about what defines beauty, what the ideal body looks like and how to accomplish that ideal. How do you cope with these messages without falling into the dangerous and potentially deadly behaviors associated with an eating disorder? If you have struggled with an eating disorder like bulimia in […]
The Prevalence of Eating Disorders in Young Athletes
Sports can have many positive benefits for the athlete, but for some athletes, especially teen and college-aged athletes, eating disorders are prevalent. It is estimated that 62 percent of females who participate in “appearance sports,” including gymnastics, dancing, figure skating and diving suffer from an eating disorder. Athletes who participate in endurance sports such as […]
The Grindstone features Tennie’s thoughts on identifying eating disorders in the workplace
The Grindstone, a popular website for professional women, interviewed Tennie McCarty for a story about eating disorders in the workplace and tips for identifying if your co-worker or friend at the office suffers from disordered eating. Click here to read The Grindstone’s story about eating disorders in the office