2.
Dr. David Herzog, Emeritus Professor of
Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, is an
internationally renowned expert on eating
disorders. He was the first Endowed Professor
of Psychiatry in the Field of Eating Disorders
at Harvard Medical School. In 1994, he
created the Harvard Eating Disorders Center,
which became the Harris Center for Education
and Advocacy in Eating Disorders at
Massachusetts General Hospital.
3.
The two main eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, which
involves semi-starvation, and bulimia nervosa, which is
characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating
followed by compensatory behaviors (such as self-induced
vomiting or misuse of laxatives or diuretics) intended to
prevent the foods ingested during a binge from resulting
in weight gain. These disorders are most successfully
treated when diagnosed early, before medical
complications set in. Among the medical consequences of
anorexia nervosa are cardiac abnormalities (slow heart
rate, disturbed heart rhythm), bone loss, infertility, and
deficits in attention, problem- solving, and memory.
Individuals with bulimia nervosa are at risk of dehydration,
low levels of serum potassium, and bowel abnormalities.
4.
Most treatment plans for anorexia and bulimia
are multi-disciplinary due to the complex
interplay of physiological and psychological
problems seen in these disorders. Interventions
often include medical care and monitoring;
individual, group and/or family psychotherapy;
nutritional counseling; and, for some patients,
medication. Although nutritional improvement is
key, patients also need help feeling better about
themselves and their relationships with others.
The cornerstone of treatment is communication
between members of the professional team.
5.
There are a number of online resources such
as the National Eating Disorders Association
(http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/)
and the National Institute of Mental Health
(http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publication
s/eating-disorders/index.shtml) that provide
guidelines and suggestions to help
individuals struggling with eating disorders
and their families.
