The Time is Now. That is the theme of this year’s Eating Disorders Awareness Week which runs from Feb. 24 through March 2. It is the largest and best-known eating disorders outreach effort in the country. Catalina Island Health is participating by sharing information and resources that can be found through the mental health arm of its primary care clinic.
EDAW gives CIH and other healthcare providers an opportunity to improve public understanding of eating disorders and their causes, dangers, and treatments. It also is a time to empower everyone to reduce risk factors and join in prevention efforts.
Eating disorders are a serious public health concern that doesn’t get talked about in the mainstream media. In general, there is a lack of information to navigate recovery or access evidence-based effective treatments. Most people do not make the connection between mental health and eating disorders and they often go untreated.
Eating disorders will affect 28 million Americans at some point in their lives and have the second highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness behind opiate addiction. That equals one death every 52 minutes. Beyond this, eating disorders can impact every part of a person’s life. They can affect personal and professional relationships, cause medical complications, exacerbate existing conditions, and burden those affected with extreme financial costs and barriers to care. The financial costs of eating disorders extend past those taken on by the families, and it’s estimated that eating disorders cost the U.S. economy $64.7 billion every year.
The average time it takes for someone from the start of symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa to seek care is 2.5 years and for Binge Eating Disorder is around 6 years. While there isn’t an established window for early intervention for eating disorders, we know that seeking care within the first three years from onset of symptoms increases the likelihood of better outcomes in recovery. Early detection and encouraging help seeking behavior can shorten the gap of time between the onset of symptoms and the individual getting treatment.
It is not always easy to recognize, but here are the basic warning signs and symptoms of an eating disorder:
Behavioral
- Changes in eating behaviors
- Eating limited to certain textures of food
- Frequent checking in the mirror for perceived flaws in appearance
- Withdraws from friends and avoids eating in public with others
- Becomes more isolated and secretive
Emotional
- Preoccupation with weight loss, food, calories, and dieting
- Extreme concern with body size and shape
- Experiences shame, guilt, and despair after binge eating episodes
- Frequently experiences low self-esteem
- Fears of choking or vomiting
Physical
- Significant weight fluctuations, both up and down
- Complaints of gastrointestinal issues
- Dizziness upon standing
- Difficulty concentrating or sleeping
- Had issues with their dental, skin, hair, and/or nail health
Learning about eating disorders is the first step on the journey to recovery for those who are struggling and is also crucial for loved ones wanting to provide support.
Finding the right type of eating disorder treatment depends on the disorder and its symptoms. It usually includes a mix of specific types of talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, as well as medical monitoring and sometimes nutrition education or medicines. Eating disorder treatment also involves taking care of other medical problems that an eating disorder causes or makes worse. These problems can be serious or even life-threatening if they go without being treated for too long. If an eating disorder doesn’t get better with standard treatment or causes health problems, a stay in a hospital or another type of inpatient program may be needed.
A proven approach to eating disorder treatment can help people eliminate symptoms, return to a healthy weight, and maintain their physical and mental health. Evidence shows that when treated, people can have very good outcomes, and full recovery is possible.
Catalina Island Health has resources that can help. It can start with a visit to the primary care clinic, especially for any physical symptoms and issues and speaking with one of CIH’s teletherapy therapists to assess and create a path to wellness.
For more information or to make an appointment, reach out to Catalina Island Health at 310-510-0096 or visit CatalinaIslandHealth.org/mental-health.
About Catalina
Island Health
CI Health’s primary care physicians and family nurse practitioners provide the island community with a solid foundation of care. The medical clinic is located at 100 Falls Canyon Rd., Avalon, up the street from Avalon’s City Hall on the bottom level of the hospital. Its hours are 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Visit CatalinaIslandHealth.org or call 310-510-0096 for more information or to make an appointment. The emergency room is staffed 24/7 with a UC Irvine Emergency Medicine Physician and supported by the CI Health’s laboratory and diagnostic imaging departments to meet the acute medical needs of Catalina Island’s residents and visitors. With the use of patient satisfaction surveys, patients consistently rank CI Health’s emergency services as one of the best in the nation. The hospital’s main number is 310-510-0700. For more information, visit CatalinaIslandHealth.org.
