EATING DISORDERS



Do you or someone you know suffer from an eating disorder? Eating disorders often make a person feel scared and alone. This page will provide you with information and resources to help you learn about the different diseases, specific populations, and guide you or someone you know in the process of recovery and starting to live a fulfilling life!
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  • Eating disorders affect up to 30 million people in the US of all ages, and have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.
  • Anorexia is currently the third most chronic illness in the US, which is why YOUTH need to be wary of any signs that they may be suffering from an eating disorder.
  • The sooner we get help for our problems, the greater the likelihood of a positive outcome.​​
  • Eating disorders have many medical issues which can affect our long-term health.
  • To learn more about various medical issues related to eating disorders, as well as co-existing psychiatric disorders, visit the site's "Medical Issues" section.
  • Many thanks to Mel Harbin who contributed the information and resource.


​FOUR MAJOR CATEGORIES OF EATING DISORDERS

* Please note the following information does not reflect the recent changes to eating disorder diagnoses or their diagnostic criteria listed in the DSM-5. We are in the process of updating the information below and appreciate your patience. 

1.  Anorexia Nervosa: Anorexia involves restricting food intake to amounts below what is needed for one’s body, extreme fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, a distorted body image, and a weight less than 85% of what is expected of a typical person of that age, height, and build.  Often people suffering from anorexia will purge by either vomiting the food that they consumed or exercising to extremes.

2.  Bulimia Nervosa: A person suffering from bulimia often has a distorted body image and will repeatedly binge on large amounts of food and then purge by means of self-induced vomiting, using laxatives, enemas, diuretics, or other medications, over-exercising, or fasting. 

3.  Binge Eating Disorder (BED): BED includes a cycle of insatiable cravings that can occur at anytime during the day and binging on large amounts of food. A person suffering from this eating disorder will eat uncontrollably, often in secret.  It does not occur in the presence of Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa. After binging, the sufferer does not purge.

4.  Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS): EDNOS is the most common eating disorder, but still can be very severe.  A person has EDNOS if he or she meets most of the diagnostic criteria of one or more of the other eating disorders, but not all of the criteria.





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Recovery Is Possible

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Recovery from an eating disorder is a process that requires hard work. It is vital to utilize coping skills and have a support network while going through the process of recovery.  Resorting to eating disorder behaviors may seem easier than recovery, but eating disorders do not allow people to experience life. Recovery will result in a fulfilling life. 100% recovery is possible! The following links can help to start you on your journey to recovery. If you don’t suffer from an eating disorder, it is important to be educated because more than likely, you know someone who does suffer. According to ANAD (www.anad.org), 24 million people suffer from an eating disorder in the U.S.
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February 25 – March 3, 2019 is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week! This year’s theme, Come As You Are, encourages inclusivity and involvement of all. It doesn’t matter what stage of recovery you’re in or your background—YOU matter! Share your story, connect with others, and get involved in advocacy efforts. Together we can work to reduce diet culture, fight eating disorders, and increase body positivity. Click here to learn more about NEDAwareness Week and how to help. Don't forget to join the conversation on social media with the hashtags #NEDAwareness and #ComeAsYouAre.

EATING DISORDER RESEARCH


  • Eating disorders are especially common among young adults. According to the National Association of Anorexia and Associated Disorders (ANAD) (www.anad.org) 95% of those with eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25.
  • 15% of women 17-24 have eating disorders (The Massachusetts Eating Disorders Association, www.waldenbehavioralcare.com).
  • About 10-15% of people with anorexia or bulimia are male.
  • Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental health condition (ANAD, www.anad.org), but full recovery is possible and does happen!
  • 3-5% of women and 2 % of males in the U.S. suffer from Binge Eating Disorder (ANAD, www.anad.org).
  • Anorexia is the third most common chronic illness among adolescents (ANAD, www.anad.org).  
  • 10% to 20% of female college students and 4% to 10% of college males have eating disorders (Eating for Life Alliance, www.eatingforlife.org). The percentage of college males with eating disorders is said to have increased since this study.
  • 91% of women surveyed on a college campus had attempted to control their weight through dieting. 22% dieted “often” or “always” (ANAD, www.anad.org).
  • 25% of college-aged women binge and purge to manage their weight (ANAD, www.anad.org).
  • 27% college males are dieting to lose weight and 45% of college males are exercising to lose weight (American College Health Association, www.acha.org).

Eating Disorder Research Studies

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Do you want to participate in an eating disorder research study? You will even receive compensation for participating! 
Check out our Join A Study page!

Operation Beautiful

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End negative self-talk or "Fat Talk." 

Leave a note and submit a photo to OperationBeautiful@ gmail.com


MORE INFORMATION

ANRED ​

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  • Types, causes, warning signs, symptoms, and complications
  • Statistics
  •  Relapse prevention
  •  Special categories (males, diabetes, pregnancy)
  •  Family and friends
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multi-service eating disorders association

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  • Types and complications
  • Family (including sibling) and friends resources
  • Being an athlete

   
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Something Fishy 

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  • Symptoms and associated dangers
  • Recovery and coping skills
  • How to help a loved one
  • Cultural issues
  • Medications and doctors
  • Prevention and cause

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DRUGREHAB.COM​


  • Types, signs, and symptoms
  • Body Dysmorphic Disorder
  • Young people and eating disorders
  • Substance abuse and eating disorders
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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ANOREXIA NERVOSA AND RELATED DISORDERS

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  • ​​​Types, signs, and symptoms
  • Recovery
  • Insurance issues​

Addictions & Eating Disorders

  • Eating disorder and addiction signs, symptoms, and treatment
  • Relapse prevention
  • Health issues
  • Mental health
  • Addiction resources

Eating Disorder Awareness

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  • Types and causes
  • Males and eating disorders
  • Self-harm
  • Myths
  • Family and friends
  • Personal stories
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ONLINE SUPPORt
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MentorConnect

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  • Eating disorders mentoring community
  • Sign up for a mentor or become one
  • Forums for those suffering

Something Fishy

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  • Forums for those suffering and those in recovery
  • Family/friends support forum
  • Sufferers and family members ICQ list and AIM list

We Bite Back

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  • Forum for friends/family
  • Local events and notable articles
  • Personal essays
                                   

NEDA FORUM

  • Forums on the media, for sufferers, those in recovery, males, siblings, friends, partners, and parents.

MALES
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THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR MALES WITH EATING DISORDERS

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  • Statistics
  • Risk factors, symptoms, treatment, and prevention
  • Body image
  • Recovery tools

Men Get Eating Disorders Too

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  • Forum and chat room
  • How to help someone
  • Stories
  • Blog
  • Training and workshops                                                                         



10 million males in the United States suffer from an eating disorder at some time in their life (National Eating Disorders Association, www.nationaleatingdisorders.org). For a fact sheet on eating disorders among males, check out this website!


BODY IMAGE
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Body Positive

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  • Activism 
  • Education

We Are the Real Deal

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  • Blog                   
  • Body dysmorphia
  • Body image: males, mothers and sisters,  pregnancy, prevention
  • LGBT

Eating Disorder Hope

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  • Negative body image: definition, signs and symptoms, causes,  and treatment
  • Articles

                                                                                                                                       

BOOKS AND OTHER MEDIA
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Gurze 

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  • Books, articles, recovery stories
  • -DVD's    
  • -CD's   
                      

America the Beautiful

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  • Two documentaries that enlighten viewers on how America's obsession with the beauty industry contributes to eating disorders.

FIND TREATMENT
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Something Fishy

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  • National treatment provider and treatment  center locator

ED Referral

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  • Treatment center, workshop, retreat, research program, and support group locator

Pale Reflections

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  • Treatment center, provider, support group, online and phone support locator


National Organizations


​National Eating Disorders Association

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  • Programs and events
  • Information, news, research
  • How to get involved



Massachusetts Treatment Facilities
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Walden Behavioral Care

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  • Provides inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient services for  adolescent and adult females and males with eating disorders. Located in Waltham, Worcester, Northampton, and Braintree, MA.

Cambridge Eating Disorder Center

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  • Provides residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient services to adolescent and adult females. Located in Cambridge, MA

Klarman Eating Disorders Center

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  • Provides residential and partial hospitaliztion services to females ages 16-26. Klarman is part of McLean Hospital and is located in Belmont, MA.


Massachusetts Organizations
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I.CARED

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  • Activism
  • Directory of treatment providers
  • Calendar of MA events

Multiservice Eating DIsorders Association

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  •  Support groups
  • Volunteer and internship opportunities
  • Information
  •  Referrals, assessments, and consultations

Eating for Life Alliance

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  • Information for students, colleges, and parents
  • Conference and webinar calendar
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    


SmarTPHone Apps

Recovery Record

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  • Log meals and snacks, process feelings, and earn iTunes rewards
  • Receive affirmations and inspirational pictures

iCOunselor: Eating Disorder

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  • Learn Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and coping skills to help in the recovery process.


SUPPORT GROUPS
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NATIONAL

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National

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MASSACHUSETTS

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