SELF HELP
Eating
Disorders
Recent
studies suggest that 1 in 5 college women struggle with an
eating disorder. Signs of eating disorders include:
preoccupation with food and thinness, excessive exercise,
refusal to eat, noticeable and extreme weight loss, depressed
mood, withdrawal from friends, low self-esteem, and negative
body image.
Eating
disorders impact a wide range of students from heterosexual men,
women of color, international students, and sexual minorities.
Anorexia involves an attempt to control one's weight by restricting the amount of
food eaten. Anorexia tends to begin during high school or
college with an attempt to "lose a few pounds” which then may
lead to a tremendous fear of becoming fat. Individuals
struggling with anorexia may lose their menstrual periods, feel
physically cold often, suffer from dry skin and hair, low blood
pressure, and heart difficulties. Concentration can become
diminished, impacting a student’s ability to learn and do well
in classes. The malnourishment associated with anorexia may lead
to death.
Bulimia involves a cycle of uncontrolled eating, or "binging", followed by
purging behaviors. Purging behaviors may include: vomiting, the
use of laxatives, and excessive exercise. The physical effects
of bulimia can be quite serious including damage to tooth
enamel, stomach, esophagus, kidney problems, and seizures.
Electrolyte imbalances can result in sudden cardiac failure and
death.
Binge
Eating Disorder is a
condition in which people binge on large numbers of calories at
one time, but do not purge. Compulsive overeaters feel out of
control with their eating habits, and may suffer from low
self-esteem and body image. They may eat when they feel
stressed, or may binge after attempting to eat normally for a
period of time. Because of the secretive nature of their eating,
compulsive overeaters often feel isolated, but they may fear
being ostracized if others were to find out.
Body Image
Body image
is how an individual perceives, feels and experiences her or his
body. It involves how you think and feel about your appearance
and what it is like to live in your body. Body image exists on a
continuum with individuals who largely feel positively about
their body at one end of the continuum. These individuals do not
tie their self esteem to their pant size or whether they are
perceived attractive by others. They base their self esteem on a
variety of factors. At the other end of the continuum are those
individuals who feel very negatively about their body the
majority of the time, experiencing shame related to their
appearance. These individuals are more likely to tie their self
worth to their body shape and level of attractiveness. People
with negative body image are more likely to develop eating
disorders.
It is
estimated that around eighty percent of all women struggle with
their body image. It is also believed that an increasing number
of men feel negatively about their bodies. An individual’s body
image is impacted by many factors including one’s overall self
esteem, relationships and exposure to the media.
There are
many ways to improve one’s body image. One strategy is to seek
out individual and/or group counseling. An additional strategy
involves reading one of the many self-help books available on
this topic. See “Eating Disorders and Body Image Readings”
section of this website.
Here are
some simple helpful suggestions for improving your body image:
Decrease your exposure to media that promotes limited
examples of beauty. This includes magazines, television
shows, movies, and music videos. If you find yourself feeling
badly about your body after watching a certain television show,
consider no longer viewing the program. If you feel negatively
about your appearance after reading a particular magazine, stop
subscribing to the magazine.
Don’t criticize yourself when
you look in the mirror.
Consider having a different conversation with yourself. Remind
yourself of all of the positive qualities you possess including
physical and personal attributes. Hang notes around your mirror
to remind you of all of your wonderful traits and gifts.
Challenge
the relationship between your self worth and appearance.
If appearance is an influence on a person’s self esteem, it
should only be a small piece. Find other ways to feel good about
yourself other than working on your appearance. Examples include
developing enjoyable hobbies, volunteering for a cause important
to you, or increasing your knowledge in an area that interests
you.
Wear
clothes that you make you feel good.
Fashion trends keep changing in order for the industry to make
money. If you don’t feel good about your appearance in the
latest trends, finds clothes that help you feel comfortable and
pleased with your body.
Eating Disorders Virtual Pamphlets
Campus
Events
Resources On Campus
- Counseling and Referral
Services: Psychologists and Counselors at the Counseling Center provide psychological counseling, assessment and referral services for students struggling with body image and/or eating disorders. 410-704-2512
- Medical Services: Medical Providers at Dowell Health Center provide medical services, assessment, and referral for students with eating disorders.
Nutrition assessments are also available. 410-704-2466
Resources Off Campus
College Student Eating
Disorder Group: Thursdays 6-7:30 PM, Physicians Pavilion North
If interested, contact Dr. Ruth Stine at 410-427-3874 or
rstine@sheppardpratt.org
ANAD Free Eating Disorder Support Group:
Mondays 5:30-6:45 p.m.
Ascension Lutheran Church, 7601 York Road, Towson, MD
For more information, call 410-337-7772
Sheppard Pratt Free Eating Disorders Support Group:
Wednesdays 7-8:30 p.m.
Sheppard Pratt Hospital Central Building, 6501 North Charles
Street, Baltimore, MD
For more information, call 410-938-5252
EDC of Baltimore Free Eating Disorder Support Group:
Thursdays, 7:30pm to 9:00pm Jewish Community Center, 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave., Room 223 Owings
Mills, MD For more information, call 410-363-1620
Largely Positive Support Group; Free Support Group for People of
Size: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays 7-8:30 p.m.
5710
Newbury Street, Baltimore 21209
For more information, call 410-982-9667
Web sites on Eating Disorders and Body Image
Podcasts
Reading
Lists
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