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Chapter 8-D - Eating Disorders

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Related Topics: Counseling: Individual, Group and Family | Support Groups

Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, are serious health problems. They can cause long-term damage to your body and 10 percent of people with eating disorders die. Treatment is available, but early treatment is critical to your chances of recovery. Some of the symptoms are:

Anorexia Nervosa:

• Refusal to eat normally or at all.
• Preoccupation with food and calorie counting.
• Constantly checking weight.
• Frequent strenuous exercise.
• Loss of 25 percent of normal body weight.
• Excessive concern for others' eating and an obsession with preparing food for them.
• Coarse, dry skin and hair loss.
• Hoarding and hiding food.
• Tendency to be highly self critical.
• Cessation of menstruation.

Bulimia:

• Buying and eating large amounts of food.
• Excessive use of laxatives and diuretics.
• Frequent vomiting.
• Sudden onset of tooth decay (caused by stomach acid eroding tooth enamel).
• Secretive behavior.
• Puffiness in the face.
• Fatigue and depression.
• Red knuckles from self-induced vomiting.
• Unexplained disappearance of large amounts of food, usually carbohydrates.

Center for Eating Disorders, PA
Sheppard Pratt Hospital
6535 North Charles Street
Suite 300
Baltimore, Maryland 21204
410-938-5252
Offers comprehensive treatment services for the patient with complex eating disorders. This includes inpatient, day hospital and intensive outpatient services, as well as ongoing outpatient treatment.

• Eating Disorder Support Group
  Meets every Wednesday from 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
  Sheppard Pratt Hospital, Central Building, Room c-305
  6501 North Charles Street, Towson, Maryland 21204
  Contact Sarah Blake, 410-938-5252
   
• Largely Positive Support Group
  Meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month, 7 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.
  Sheppard Pratt Hospital, Central Building, Suite 300
  6535 North Charles Street, Towson, Maryland 21204
  Contact Deborah Kauffmann, RN, LD, 410-938-5252

Overeaters Anonymous
P.O. Box 20013
Baltimore, Maryland 21284
410-764-3136 (Answering Machine)
Fellowship of compulsive eaters who are striving to overcome problem.

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The text version of this page was last revised on 26 August 2008.
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