Professional eNewsletter: August 2024
Understanding Eating Disorders: The Importance of Awareness
By Jacqueline Sierzega, PsyD
According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), 9% of the U.S. population, or 28.8 million Americans, will suffer from an eating disorder in their lifetime. Worldwide, over 22% of children and adolescents show signs of disordered eating habits, and one person dies from an eating disorder every 52 minutes. Eating disorders are one of the most fatal psychiatric diseases.
Organized by NEDA, ongoing awareness campaigns focus on educating the public about the realities of eating disorders. These efforts aim to give hope, support, and increased visibility to everyone affected by eating disorders.
The Importance of Awareness. Increasing public awareness of eating disorders is essential. It's an opportunity for the healthcare community to focus on learning more about eating disorders, raising awareness, and sharing information and resources with those who may be at risk of an eating disorder or who know someone who is.
About Our Eating Disorders Program. Over eight million adolescents and adults in the United States are affected by eating disorders, often undiagnosed due to hidden symptoms. Without proper care, this treatable disease can be fatal. Endeavor Health Linden Oaks Hospital is led by a specialized team of psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and dietitians offering the latest techniques for those struggling with eating disorders.
We treat a variety of conditions, including anorexia nervosa, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), bulimia nervosa, and orthorexia. Our program is open to individuals aged 11 and older and offers multiple levels of care, including inpatient treatment, PHP/IOP programs, counseling, medication management, and support groups.
Our treatment philosophy emphasizes highly individualized care, focusing on the impact of mood and eating behavior, improving dietary patterns and body image, and reducing inappropriate eating and compensatory behaviors. We strive to create a lifestyle of wellness through healthy living activities, including sleep hygiene, joyful movement, improved social supports, and increased engagement in daily activities.
Our nutrition philosophy is centered on healing, repairing, and improving the relationship between food and the body by establishing the foundation of functioning. We aim to provide a safe space for increasing nutrition and reducing the use of eating disorder behaviors while engaging in therapeutic interventions, skills, and support.
Finding more support with Endeavor Health Linden Oaks Hospital. Endeavor Health Linden Oaks Hospital is available to discuss treatment options for any type or level of behavioral health care. For more information on programs Endeavor Health Linden Oaks Hospital offers, call our 24/7 help line at 630-305-5027.