Friday May 18, 2012
I got an e-mail from a reader this week asking for information about treatment providers in his local area. Unfortunately, I don't have a list of the best eating disorder therapists nationwide to refer readers to. I do, however, know several places that do. I've compiled a list with links to multiple databases of therapists and treatment centers for this specific purpose. If you're considering seeking treatment and beginning to recover from your eating disorder/eating issues, check it out. I hope it is helpful for you.
As an aside, I love connecting with readers. Feel free to e-mail me, comment on posts or speak up in the forum!
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Wednesday May 16, 2012
Pressures to conform one's body to the 'thin ideal' are extremely prevalent in our society today - so much so that it is considered somewhat 'normal' to be unsatisfied and critical of one's body.
In an effort to find out what fights against negative body mage and self-objectification, researchers at San Jose State University in California, interviewed adult women who practice yoga on a regular basis. Out of all of the participants, 74% reported that at some point in their lives they had struggled with their weight or with negative body image. Interestingly, 75% of participants reported that their body acceptance and appreciation increased after developing a yoga practice.
Not only did these women report increased body acceptance, but they also reported that they attribute positive feelings and a feeling of well-being to their yoga practice. They also expressed "greater connection to themselves, to others, and to their notion of the divine" and were more likely to practice intuitive eating. The researchers concluded that yoga seems to have helped these women by improving physical and emotional awareness and providing a method for grounding and introspection or meditation.
Do you practice yoga as part of your recovery? What has been your experience?
Source:
Dittman, K.A. & Freedman, M.R. (2009). Body awareness, eating attitudes, and spiritual beliefs of women practicing yoga. Eating Disorders, 17. 273-292.
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Thursday May 10, 2012
In case you didn't already know, eating disorders can be deadly. A new, extremely large-scale study on the topic was presented this week at the American Psychiatric Association's annual conference by Jaana T. Suokas, MD.
The study was conducted at the University of Helsinki Central Hospital in Finland and followed 2329 women and 113 men in treatment for eating disorders between 1995 and 2010. It looked at all causes of premature death for the sufferers, including suicide. People suffering from anorexia were 6 times more likely to die prematurely. Those suffering from bulimia had a 3 times greater risk of premature death, and those suffering from binge eating disorder had a 1.78 greater risk.
Interestingly, the risk of premature death for people suffering from anorexia went down the further out the sufferers got from treatment. However, those with bulimia had the highest risk of premature death about two years after treatment.
Although I don't know that this study tells us a great deal that we didn't already know about eating disorders, it does underscore the importance of early treatment and recovery. It is a sad, but important, reminder of the seriousness of this disease.
Do you know someone who has died as a result of their eating disorder?
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Monday May 7, 2012
I was excited to read that members of the dance industry in the United Kingdom are having an important conversation about eating disorders this past week. In response to research that indicates that many dancers suffer or have suffered from an eating disorder, Dance UK hosted a conference on April 30 entitled "Nutrition and Disordered Eating in Dance: Artistry, Athleticism and the Role of the Multidisciplinary Support Team." Over 100 delegates attended the conference at the Royal Society of Medicine in London.
The first primary topic at the conference centered around dispelling the 'myth' that dance companies are only looking for extremely thin dancers. Several directors, including David Bintley, Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet were quoted as saying that they would be extremely reluctant to work with dancers who they knew had an eating disorder and are looking for diversity of size and 'real' bodies in their dancers. Interestingly, though, Monica Mason, Artistic Director of the Royal Ballet is quoted by the BBC as stating that any dance company director who claims never to have worked with an anorexic performer is "lying"
The second topic was that of a multidisciplinary support team in order to tackle the problem of eating disorders within dance companies. Speakers stressed that each company needs to identify individuals whom dancers can turn to if they have problems or know of someone who is struggling. Dance UK also formed the National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science (NIDMS) in an effort to provide dancers with comprehensive, specialized healthcare.
Have you known dancers who have been impacted by eating disorders? What do you think it will take to change the culture of dance?
