The Emily Program’s Post

Wondering which treatments actually help with eating disorders? Our comprehensive guide breaks down the evidence-based therapies and interventions to help you make informed decisions. To learn more, visit https://lnkd.in/ghNbWURN

Yes!! Eating disorder professionals, researchers, and advocates must speak up about the harm being done by physicians prescribing GLP-1s to clients when they don't review risk for those with eating disorder histories. And the trouble is, even without a prior history, taking a GLP-1 could trigger an eating disorder for the first time. They are DESIGNED to suppress appetite, and falling into a calorie deficit is a major risk factor for developing an eating disorder, a potentially deadly disorder. And if you follow that logic train, it becomes difficult to justify prescribing GLP-1s for weight loss to ANYONE. Physicians, drug makers, and the weight loss industry are so focused on fighting "obesity" and trying to stop anyone from being in a large body that they are actively promoting interventions that cause harm by resulting in undereating, malnourishment, and eating disorders. Of course, this has been going on for ages; GLP-1s are just the newest way to do that. #eatingdisorders #antidiet #haes #healthateverysize #mentalhealth

Can medication treat eating disorders among children and adolescents❔ Young people receiving treatment for #eatingdisorders are often taking some kind of medication. However, guidelines about the use of #medication (or any kind of treatment) for eating disorders among children and adolescents are lacking. This can leave young people, parents, and clinicians unsure about how effective medication is for eating disorders. While research on the effectiveness of medication for young people with eating disorders is still in its early stages, big progress has been made. Today, several studies have investigated different types of medication for young people with #anorexia, #bulimia, #bingeeating, or unspecified eating disorders. Preliminary evidence suggests that some medications can help support young people’s recovery process, in combination with other treatment approaches like individual #therapy, #familytherapy, or nutritional support that address the underlying causes of eating disorders. This is a complex area and, in my opinion, one that needs more focus. So, earlier this year, I drafted an article which offers more information on the different medications used to treat eating disorders in children and teenagers, and the research that lies behind them (you’ll find a link in the comments below). I hope you find this a useful piece. As always, I welcome your thoughts and questions 🙏 💚

It's National Eating Disorder Week 2024 💜 In recognition of National Eating Disorder Week, CNS is dedicated to fostering awareness and understanding surrounding eating disorders. 🎙️ Missed our 2023 Thematic Conference on Advances in Nutrition Research and Practice - From Identification to Treatment of Disordered Eating Behaviours ? Access recorded sessions from last year now! Dive into expert insights and save if you're a CNS Member. This conference was tailored to enhance understanding and capacity in providing care to individuals with disordered eating behaviors or diagnosed eating disorders. Let's keep the conversation going and build a more informed, supportive community together. ✅ Explore recorded sessions here:https://lnkd.in/gV7reqEx #NationalEatingDisorderWeek #EatingDisordersAwareness

People diagnosed with type 1 diabetes are told they must read food labels, pay careful attention to numbers and carb intake, and have a central focus on food and weight management throughout their lifetime. It is estimated that up to 30% of people with type 1 diabetes have an eating disorder (diabetes.org.uk). If you are struggling, please reach out to someone you know and trust. If you are concerned about someone, opening up a conversation can be the first step to recovery. You can find more information on eating disorders and diabetes at: https://lnkd.in/eX3hegQ8

The term "severe and enduring" eating disorder is frequently used, but what does it really mean? Too often, this label is used to suggest that individuals who have been ill for more than a few years are unlikely to benefit from active treatment. This perspective is not only misleading but also harmful. Research shows that the definition of “severe and enduring eating disorder” varies widely between studies — there is no widely agreed upon definition. Patients can be labeled as "severe and enduring" for having an eating disorder for as little as three years! Increasingly, it is being misused to suggest patients who have had their illness for many years won't benefit from evidence-based treatments. One of the challenges with this term is that it fails to capture the reasons so many patients struggle to get better - inadequate access to treatment, ineffective treatment, and even harmful experiences in care. Labeling patients as “severe and enduring” can sometimes inadvertently place the blame for past treatment failures on the person rather than acknowledging issues in our healthcare system. As highlighted by our friend @JamesDowns and his co-authors in an excellent paper in the Lancet, resistance to treatment is not a characteristic of the patient or their condition but rather a reflection of a healthcare system that has failed to offer adequate and effective care. It’s time to shift the narrative. We are #treatablenotterminal. We need access to high quality care, not lethal medications.

Very proud of this piece for Men's Health, discussing obesity medication and its potential intersection with men's eating disorders. https://lnkd.in/enUiect2

Binge Eating Disorder As with bulimia nervosa, people with binge eating disorder have episodes of binge eating in which they consume large quantities of food in a brief period, experience a sense of loss of control over their eating and are distressed by the binge behavior. Unlike people with bulimia nervosa however, they do not regularly use compensatory behaviors to get rid of the food by inducing vomiting, fasting, exercising or laxative misuse. Binge eating disorder can lead to serious health complications, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. https://lnkd.in/gdeiEwvi

It's Eating Disorders Awareness Week, and this year, the spotlight is on a condition that often goes unnoticed: Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). Unlike more commonly recognized eating disorders, ARFID doesn't revolve around body image concerns. Instead, it's characterized by persistent avoidance or restriction of food intake due to various reasons such as sensory sensitivities or fear of negative consequences like choking. ARFID can affect individuals of any age, from infancy through adulthood, and can have serious consequences if left untreated. Treatment often involves a multidisciplinary approach, including nutritional counseling, therapy to address underlying anxiety or sensory issues, and support from healthcare professionals and caregivers. Read more about ARFID: https://lnkd.in/euXpy-Zz

Article Content Warning ⚠️ Eating Disorders/Behaviors, mention of suicide attempts Some may or may not know that I pursued dietetics to specialize in eating disorders. While it is not my primary field, I am never far removed from it, whether it is due to colleagues of mine who work in the field or those I know who have and continue to suffer from these horrible illnesses. I am always invested in preventing eating disorders, and supporting treatment and recovery. This article is a long one, and admittedly I was challenged to read it. I still feel challenged by it. I am an eternal optimist, believer of hope and cures, and yet, at what point is it out of the hands of the provider? At what point is a cure not attainable? Is a patient with severe anorexia able to make the choice to succumb to their illness? I am curious of your thoughts. #eatingdisorderrecovery #edrecovery #anorexia #terminalanorexia #palliativecare #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness https://lnkd.in/edN2XGSj