EATING DISORDERS PROGRAM

Individual Psychotherapy - Group Therapy - Eating Disorders Peer Program - Medical Follow-up - Nutritional Guidance

University Health Center
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, Maryland 20742
(301) 314-8142

University Health Center

Who Gets Eating Disorders?

Eating Disorders affect 1 in 5 college-age women. Too many women believe that in order to be successful they have to be in control of every aspect of their lives, including being perfect in looks and actions. They mistakenly believe that it is important above all to have a thin body, no matter what it takes to achieve that. People with eating disorders believe themselves to be overweight even when they are not. They have the tendency to weigh themselves constantly, use artificial means of controlling their appetite, and view food as the enemy. Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge-Eating Disorder are the most common eating disorders, but many people exhibit symptoms of all three disorders. Men also are at risk for problems in the area of eating and body image, but not in the same numbers as women.

Anorexia is an intense fear of becoming fat, accompanied by self-starvation and refusal to gain weight. As the disorder progresses, women stop having periods, and put themselves at risk for electrolyte imbalances, stress fractures, and weaknesses of the heart muscle that can lead to death. Many anorexics may periodically binge and purge like bulimics.

Bulimia is repeated episodes of rapidly eating large amounts of food, followed by self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or overuse of laxatives. Bulimia often feels like a prevention of weight gain, but it can quickly pull one into a destructive cycle of binging and purging, with serious health risks.

Binge Eating Disorder is recurrent episodes of eating large amounts of food in response to feelings rather than hunger, and a sense of lack of control over how much or when to stop eating. Binges are followed by guilt, self-hatred and depression, rather than purging.

Are You Suffering From an Eating Disorder?

  • Are you totally preoccupied with weight and thinness?
  • Do you panic at the thought of weight gain or overeating?
  • Do you fast for periods of time or frequently deny hunger?
  • Do you feel a compulsion to work-out even if you are tired?
  • Do you increase or decrease exercise based on your weight or the food you've eaten?
  • Are you depressed if unable to exercise?
  • Do you feel guilty after eating?
  • Do you go on eating binges and feel that you can't stop eating?
  • Do you weigh yourself several times a day?
  • Do you eat when you are lonely, nervous, anxious, or depressed?
  • Do you feel that food controls your life?

If you answer yes to some of these questions, perhaps it is time to talk with someone about how to make some changes in your life and your feelings about your relationship to food.

Signs of Anorexia

  • Dry skin
  • Loss of hair
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Digestive problems
  • Loss of menstrual period
  • Fatigue
  • Emaciated appearance
  • Insomnia
  • Isolating oneself from friends
  • Fear of food

Signs of Bulimia

  • Chronic sore throat
  • Dehydration
  • Damage to tooth enamel
  • Bleeding from the throat
  • Digestive disorders
  • Muscle weakness, due to electrolyte imbalance
  • Guilt and isolation

How Can Someone Regain Control?

If you or a friend have problems around food and weight, there is help available in our Eating Disorders Program at the University Health Center.

It is crucial to begin to deal with the psychological aspects of the disorder including feelings about loss of control and low self esteem. Changing behaviors usually follows understanding one's feelings and attitudes. Early recognition is essential to the successful treatment of eating disorders, as the more advanced the problem, the more difficult it is to resolve.

Treatment at the University Health Center is tailored to each person, with a range of possibilities. Components of treatment usually include:

  • A medical evaluation
  • Individual psychotherapy
  • Group treatment, with a small number of students dealing with the same problems
  • Nutritional Guidance

The Eating Disorders Peer Program allows students in recovery to offer help to newly diagnosed sufferers, by individual consultations or presentations to classrooms, residence halls and sorority houses.

Recommended Book Reading:

- Bruche, Hilde: The Golden Cage.
- Cauwells, Janice: Bulimia: The Binge-Purge Compulsion.
- Kano, Susan: Making Peace with Food.
- Kinoy, Miller, and Atchley: When Will We Laugh Again? Living and - Dealing with Anorexia and Bulimia.
- Siegel, Brisman, Weinshel: Surviving an Eating Disorder. Strategies for Family and Friends.

To make an appointment for a consultation, telephone 314-8184, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. You may speak with a therapist about our Eating Disorders Program by telephoning 314-8142.

Julie Parsons, LCSW
Coordinator of the Eating Disorders Program
(301) 314-8142

The University Health Center is Accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc.

Last modified 10.06.06