Browsing by Subject "eating disorders"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Eating Disorders in Adulthood
    (Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, 2013-04-05) Mensah, Nicole Lurline; Rohr-Kirchgraber, Theresa; Stupiansky, Nathan; Teat, Rachel
    The lifetime prevalence of acquiring an Eating Disorder (ED) in the US is 0.6–4.5%. The focus of ED research has traditionally been in adolescents with minimal focus on adults. We aimed to compare and contrast the etiology and disease progression between two groups of adult patients with EDs: those diagnosed in adulthood versus those diagnosed in childhood (introduction). Thirty adult patient’s (29 females and 1 male) charts were reviewed from one eating disorders center. Data was extracted using a pre-constructed template and SPSS was used to determine existing trends (method). 50% were diagnosed with an ED in childhood and 50% in adulthood. The majority of the patients with an adult-onset ED were diagnosed with Eating Disorder not-otherwise-specified (ED-NOS). Common events that triggered the disease onset included death/ illness of a parent or child, and work-related stressors. In contrast, patients diagnosed as children had more varied diagnoses including ED-NOS, Bulimia Nervosa (BN), and Anorexia Nervosa (AN). Sexual abuse, personal illness, and the termination of a romantic relationship were common triggers in this patient group. Among all patients fatigue, emesis, constipation, diarrhea, heart palpitations, amenorrhea or irregular menses, and acid erosion of tooth enamel were common comorbidities. Psychiatric comorbidities, Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Disorder, were primarily seen and 29/30 patients were taking psychotropic medication to treat an underlying psychiatric illness at time of their first Eating disorder visit (results). The triggers and behaviors of patients diagnosed with EDs as children are different from patients diagnosed in adulthood. Regardless of the age of onset, comorbidities are equally severe and should be treated as such. The longer and ED remains untreated, the harder it is to get it into remission, therefore, adult health care providers must incorporate screening for ED’s when caring for this population (conclusion).
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    Eating Disorders in Community Mental Health
    (2021-05) Misluk-Gervase, Eileen
    One population that can benefit significantly from therapies is that of individuals with eating disorders. Based on research in the field of eating disorders, traditional talk therapy may not effectively address the complexity and needs for recovery. Using the creative process and experiential approaches the therapist can better meet the needs of the eating disorder and co-morbid diagnoses such as mood and anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. With the rates of eating disorder diagnoses increasing, especially among males, those from lower-socioeconomic backgrounds, and older adults, it is imperative that clinicians receive training in the treatment of eating disorders and eating related issues to meet the clinical demand. However, most graduate art therapy and counseling programs do not include treatment protocols for eating disorders as part of the required curriculum. As a result, clinicians are under-prepared to work with this vulnerable population.
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    Evaluating the Real-World Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavior Therapy Efficacy Research on Eating Disorders: A Case Study from a Community-based Clinical Setting
    (Wiley, 2011-01) Lowe, Michael R.; Bunnell, Douglas W.; Neeren, Amy M.; Chernyak, Yelena; Greberman, Laurel
    Objective There is a growing consensus that there is a need to test the real-world effectiveness of eating disorder therapies that show promise in efficacy research. The current paper provides a narrative account of an NIMH-funded study that attempted to apply efficacy findings from CBT research to an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at the largest community-based eating disorder program in the United States. Method We describe the study as originally envisioned as well as the various challenges that the researchers and the IOP staff encountered in implementing this study. Results The different training, assumptions, and “ways of knowing” of the research team and the treatment staff in regard to the nature of eating disorders and their treatment created multiple challenges for both groups during the study period. We describe valuable lessons learned about how to - and how not to -implement effectiveness designs in clinical settings that are relatively unfamiliar with empirically-based research findings. Discussion It is hoped that our experience in attempting to apply efficacy-based research findings on eating disorders treatment in a community-based clinical setting will prove helpful to other researchers and service providers engaging in such translational research.
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    The Role of Art Therapy in Eating Disorder Advocacy
    (Taylor & Francis, 2020-10) Misluk-Gervase, Eileen
    Art therapy group can facilitate professional and self advocacy efforts to increase awareness of eating disorders. Imagine Me Beyond What You See art competition was the catalyst for the development of an art therapy group to raise awareness for eating disorders and body image by reimagining a mannequin. Participant testimonials demonstrate how this process impacted recovery and empowered clients to become advocates in their communities.