Making a Difference
The Guided Hand was created by Jason Everett in 2011 to assist young females with guidance and information on living a healthy life. We specialize in the eating disorders, anorexia and bulimia. Whether you, a friend, or family member is suspected of having anorexia or bulimia, The Guided Hand plans to assist. We provide information on the disorders, statistics, who this affects, what signs to look for, ways to ask for help, how to inform their family, and some of the organizations and treatment facilities that can help with recovery. Our goal here is to educate people on these potentially deadly disorders in hopes to promote a healthier world.
Overview
Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa commonly shortened to anorexia and bulimia, are two of the most common eating disorders that touch the lives of millions per year. There are a multitude of factors that contribute to why a person develops an eating disorder. There are also many ways a friend or family can detect that someone they love has an eating disorder or is developing one. Prevention is key because there is a less than 50 percent recovery rate. There are also many organizations locally that can help with treatment and assist the person and aid in the confrontation of their family members.
Statistics
-Eating Disorders produce the leading mortality rate of any illness
-Roughly eight million Americans have an eating disorder, seven of those eight are women
-One out of 200 women suffer from anorexia
-Half of all Americans know someone who has an eating disorder
-Only 10-15 percent of people who suffer from anorexia or bulimia are males
-Out of 100 American women, two to three suffer from bulimia
-According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, 5-10% of anorexics die within ten years of contracting the illness
-18-20% of anorexics will die within 20 years
-Only 30-40% of anorexics completely recover
-Anorexic death rate is 12 times higher than all causes of death for 15-24 year old females
- Most people with eating disorders do not recieve treatment, only 1 in 10 do
-80% of females who recieve care for their eating disorder do not receive enough treatment needed to fully recover.
-Treatment for eating disorders is very expensive. On average cost ranges from $500-$2000 dollars per day. Most patients need between 3-6 months of care. Most health insurance companies do not cover these charges.
-The cost of outpatient treatments can be more than $100,000.00
-Anorexia ranks 3rd on the most common illness among adolescents as well
-Ages 12-25 contain 95% of adolescent eating disorder victims
-50 percent of females between the ages of 11 and 13 deem themselves heavier than average
-More than 80 percent of 13-year-olds have tried to diet
-Racial minorities also experience eating disorders
-74 percent of Indian American females revealed that they have attempted purging with weight loss supplements
-In Japan, eating disorders is the single most common mental problem for young females
(state.sc.us) (Hlynsky, Goldner, and Gao, 2005)
-Roughly eight million Americans have an eating disorder, seven of those eight are women
-One out of 200 women suffer from anorexia
-Half of all Americans know someone who has an eating disorder
-Only 10-15 percent of people who suffer from anorexia or bulimia are males
-Out of 100 American women, two to three suffer from bulimia
-According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, 5-10% of anorexics die within ten years of contracting the illness
-18-20% of anorexics will die within 20 years
-Only 30-40% of anorexics completely recover
-Anorexic death rate is 12 times higher than all causes of death for 15-24 year old females
- Most people with eating disorders do not recieve treatment, only 1 in 10 do
-80% of females who recieve care for their eating disorder do not receive enough treatment needed to fully recover.
-Treatment for eating disorders is very expensive. On average cost ranges from $500-$2000 dollars per day. Most patients need between 3-6 months of care. Most health insurance companies do not cover these charges.
-The cost of outpatient treatments can be more than $100,000.00
-Anorexia ranks 3rd on the most common illness among adolescents as well
-Ages 12-25 contain 95% of adolescent eating disorder victims
-50 percent of females between the ages of 11 and 13 deem themselves heavier than average
-More than 80 percent of 13-year-olds have tried to diet
-Racial minorities also experience eating disorders
-74 percent of Indian American females revealed that they have attempted purging with weight loss supplements
-In Japan, eating disorders is the single most common mental problem for young females
(state.sc.us) (Hlynsky, Goldner, and Gao, 2005)
Risk Factors and Causes
Risk Factors of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa
Anorexia
-The thinning of bones (osteoporosis and osteopenia)
-Brittle nails and hair
-Yellowish skin and dryness
-Lanugo, growing of fine hair over the body
-Anemia, muscle loss and weakness
-Severe low blood pressure including slowed pulse and breathing
-Extremely large drop in blood temperature causing an individual to feel cold constantly
Bulimia
-Severe inflamed and sore throat
-Swollen glands in the jaw and neck
-Decaying teeth, increasingly sensitive teeth, worn tooth enamel
-Intestinal problems from laxative abuse
-Kidney complications from diuretic abuse
-Extreme dehydration from vomiting fluids
(American Psychiatric Association, 2005)
Causes
In today's society there are many different factors that can contribute to developing an eating disorder. The media plays a large role in this. Young women are more easily influenced by what they see on television than adults. Magazines and movies portray a certain image that women are suppose to look like if they want to be considered beautiful. These women are often airbrushed, wearing loads of make-up, and have had their flaws digitally corrected with camera tricks. That being said, most young women do not take all of these factors into consideration and often become depressed when they feel as though they cannot duplicate what they see. This is when they may start dieting in hopes to become thin like the women they have seen. Diets often fail and can lead to eating disorders. Lack of self-esteem, mental illnesses, lack of support, and depression can all lead a young woman to a disorder.
Anorexia
-The thinning of bones (osteoporosis and osteopenia)
-Brittle nails and hair
-Yellowish skin and dryness
-Lanugo, growing of fine hair over the body
-Anemia, muscle loss and weakness
-Severe low blood pressure including slowed pulse and breathing
-Extremely large drop in blood temperature causing an individual to feel cold constantly
Bulimia
-Severe inflamed and sore throat
-Swollen glands in the jaw and neck
-Decaying teeth, increasingly sensitive teeth, worn tooth enamel
-Intestinal problems from laxative abuse
-Kidney complications from diuretic abuse
-Extreme dehydration from vomiting fluids
(American Psychiatric Association, 2005)
Causes
In today's society there are many different factors that can contribute to developing an eating disorder. The media plays a large role in this. Young women are more easily influenced by what they see on television than adults. Magazines and movies portray a certain image that women are suppose to look like if they want to be considered beautiful. These women are often airbrushed, wearing loads of make-up, and have had their flaws digitally corrected with camera tricks. That being said, most young women do not take all of these factors into consideration and often become depressed when they feel as though they cannot duplicate what they see. This is when they may start dieting in hopes to become thin like the women they have seen. Diets often fail and can lead to eating disorders. Lack of self-esteem, mental illnesses, lack of support, and depression can all lead a young woman to a disorder.
Who is Affected
-Females, while males can also develop anorexia and bulimia, it is rare. Only 1 male out of 10 females develop anorexia or bulimia.
-Predominantly white adolescents from western society, but individuals from all over the world struggle with eating disorders.
-Participate in an environment where image and body type is a requirement.
Examples: Models, Athletes, Dancers, Actors
-Have a family member who has an eating disorder
-Disorders result in affecting others who are involved in the life of the individual who has the eating disorder
-Eating disorders put emotional stress on the entire family
-Often causes disputes within a family
-Creates tension between friendships and relationships
-Can end many marriages, friendships, and relationships
(NIMH.nih.gov)
Signs of Anorexia and Bulimia
There are very distinct signs that can be detected to determine whether or not an individual is an anorexic or bulimic.
Anorexic
-Show physical signs of being extremely frail, skinny, or emaciated
-Weighs themselves repeatedly
-Becomes obsessed with food, eating, and controlling their weight
-Purposely load up on water when going to see a doctor to attempt to mask their low weight
-Weigh, count, or portion food constantly
-Avoids certain foods
-Over exercises
-Constantly complains about being fat when they are not
-Distance themselves from social and public events that involve food
-Constantly tired, depressed, or cold
Bulimic
-Have intense fears of weight gain
-Constantly unsatisfied with weight, body composition, etc.
-Routinely make restroom visits directly after meals
-Restrict themselves to only low-fat meals
-Spend the vast majority of their time attempting to burn off calories and exercising
-Routinely purchase enemas, diuretics, or laxatives
-Remove themselves from social and public events involving food
If the majority of these signs are present then you or a person you know may have anorexia or bulimia.
Anorexic
-Show physical signs of being extremely frail, skinny, or emaciated
-Weighs themselves repeatedly
-Becomes obsessed with food, eating, and controlling their weight
-Purposely load up on water when going to see a doctor to attempt to mask their low weight
-Weigh, count, or portion food constantly
-Avoids certain foods
-Over exercises
-Constantly complains about being fat when they are not
-Distance themselves from social and public events that involve food
-Constantly tired, depressed, or cold
Bulimic
-Have intense fears of weight gain
-Constantly unsatisfied with weight, body composition, etc.
-Routinely make restroom visits directly after meals
-Restrict themselves to only low-fat meals
-Spend the vast majority of their time attempting to burn off calories and exercising
-Routinely purchase enemas, diuretics, or laxatives
-Remove themselves from social and public events involving food
If the majority of these signs are present then you or a person you know may have anorexia or bulimia.
How to tell your family
-Before confronting your family, seek consultation from a counselor.
-Research your eating disorder, collect a wealth of information and put it all together in a folder.
-Find a good time that you can sit your family down and have a serious discussion.
-Notify them that you have an eating disorder and are in need of help.
-Answer the questions that they have in a calm manner.
-Notify them that you have a course of action and you plan to get healthy.
-Let them know that you are relying on their support.
-Give your family the information that you have collected.
-Wait and see what unfolds
(National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), 2004).
-Research your eating disorder, collect a wealth of information and put it all together in a folder.
-Find a good time that you can sit your family down and have a serious discussion.
-Notify them that you have an eating disorder and are in need of help.
-Answer the questions that they have in a calm manner.
-Notify them that you have a course of action and you plan to get healthy.
-Let them know that you are relying on their support.
-Give your family the information that you have collected.
-Wait and see what unfolds
(National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), 2004).
Organizations that can help
Listed below are some of the best local eating disorder treatment facilities and organizations that can assist in rehabilitation.
The Guided Hand
10100 Granby Street,
Norfolk, VA 23501
1(800)-612-4578
Remunda Ranch
20500 Remuda Lane,
Milford, VA 22514
(804) 632-0148
Georgetown University Medical Centre
3800 Reservoir Road,
NW Washington, DC 20007
(202)-342-2400
Dominion Hospital
2960 Sleepy Hollow Rd,
Falls Church, VA 22044
(703)-536-2000
Medical College of Virginia
Box 151MCV Station,
Richmond, VA 23298
The Dogwood Institute
2200 Old Ivy Road,
Charlottesville, VA 22903
(804)-296-4160
(Walsh, 2006)
The Guided Hand
10100 Granby Street,
Norfolk, VA 23501
1(800)-612-4578
Remunda Ranch
20500 Remuda Lane,
Milford, VA 22514
(804) 632-0148
Georgetown University Medical Centre
3800 Reservoir Road,
NW Washington, DC 20007
(202)-342-2400
Dominion Hospital
2960 Sleepy Hollow Rd,
Falls Church, VA 22044
(703)-536-2000
Medical College of Virginia
Box 151MCV Station,
Richmond, VA 23298
The Dogwood Institute
2200 Old Ivy Road,
Charlottesville, VA 22903
(804)-296-4160
(Walsh, 2006)
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