Warning Signs of Eating Disorders: Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating

November 29, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Since the three main types of teen eating disorders:

  • Anorexia nervosa, also referred to simply as anorexia
  • Bulimia nervosa, also known as bulimarexia or simply bulimia
  • Binge eating disorder, also known as binge eating or binging

have different origins and symptoms, the warning signs will, naturally, also differ. The warning signs will be slightly different for the person recognizing his or her own behavior as problematic, and the outside observer – parent, relative, friend, or teacher – whose concern has been raised.

Observation of any one or combination of the symptoms mentioned below is not the equivalent of a diagnosis, which can only be carried out by a medical professional, and some symptoms individually may either a) occur in healthy individuals due to other causes (e.g., use of sports drinks) or b) be symptoms of an entirely different disorder altogether.

Warning Signs of Anorexia Nervosa

Teens who have anorexia nervosa may exhibit the following characteristics:

  • noticeable weight-loss
  • cessation of menstruation
  • excessive concern with weight gain; possibly spends much time before the mirror
  • distortion of body image
  • aversion to eating, such as skipping meals and taking minute portions
  • extreme narrowing of range of foods consumed
  • moodiness
  • difficulty concentrating
  • growth of lanugo (fine, thin hair) all over the body
  • dry skin
  • use of diet soda and sports drinks

Warning Signs of Bulimia Nervosa

Teens who have bulimia nervosa may exhibit the following characteristics:

  • eating unusually large amounts of food (though people who are healthy may do this periodically while having no disorder)
  • eating particularly quickly
  • eating past the point of comfortable fullness
  • eating when not really hungry
  • eating alone (due to embarrassment)
  • experiencing negative feelings after overeating
  • no noticeable physical change from normal
  • excessive concern about body
  • secretiveness
  • purging behavior (through use of vomiting, diuretics, diet pills, or laxatives)
  • over-exercise
  • fasting or frequent dieting

Warning Signs of Binge Eating Disorder

Teens who have binge eating disorder may have some things in common with the first part – the binging part – of bulimia nervosa, including the following:

  • eating unusually large amounts of food (though people who are healthy may do this periodically while having no disorder)
  • eating particularly quickly
  • eating past the point of comfortable fullness
  • eating when not really hungry
  • eating alone (due to embarrassment)
  • experiencing negative feelings after overeating
  • gaining weight
Teen Eating Disorder Warning Signs Sources:
win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/binge.htm#howdoes
eatingdisorderscoalition.org/reports/statistics.html
nyu.edu/999/faqs/bodyimage.html
anred.com/warn.html
Filed Under Eating Disorders, Teen Addiction, Uncategorized Tagged With Anorexia, Binge Eating, Bulimia, Self-Esteem, Teens

Am I An Alcoholic?

November 28, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

There is a fantastic, brief Yes/No quiz you can take confidentially online that will help you assess whether or not you have risky drinking patterns. Check it out at this link.

There you can answer 20 questions that will give you an idea if your drinking patterns are safe, risky or harmful. The test is completely confidential and anonymous; your results are not recorded; and are available only to you. You are not asked for any personal identifying information.

This quiz does not provide a diagnosis of alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence or alcoholism. The results cannot substitute for a full evaluation by a healthcare professional, and should only be used as a guide to understanding your alcohol use and the potential health issues involved with it.

Filed Under Alcohol Addiction, Uncategorized Tagged With Addiction, Alcoholism, Financial Issues, Intervention

Life’s Complicated Enough…

November 7, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Filed Under Drug Addiction

Back on the Islands

October 21, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

A message from Debbie Bayer…

I’m excited to be back in the islands. I have been concentrating on finding resources on Maui for the last month or so. I have been able to reconnect with colleagues and meet several new professionals. I’m finding out that “Ice” Crystal Methamphetamine continue to be a major problem here in the islands. Prescription Drug Addiction is quickly approaching Ice as a major issue. Oxycontin, Oxycodone, Klonopin, Xanax, Adderall, Ambein to name a few. Alcohol and Marijuana are still number one Drugs of Abuse I have had the pleasure of meeting Rae Ariel and Judy Gabriel two therapist that make up Maui Intensives. These women both have and impressive resume and together they are a healing machine. Maui Intensives is just that intensive therapy individualized for the couple, individual, or family.

Dr. Kelly Doty PhD just opened her practice on the West Side providing Adolescent and Adult Psychological Services. Visit her here.

Jenny Shaw Licensed Mental Health Therapist is in Wailea. Jenny specializes in Eating Disorders, Self Harm, Addictions, Abuse, Depression, Relationship issues. Jenny also does nutrition and fitness coaching. Visit Jenny’s website here.

Joanne Marroni LMHC, CSAC specializes in addiction issues. She does Chemical Dependency Assessments, Relapse Prevention, and Substance Abuse Education amongst other counseling services give her a call at 574-876-0711.

These are just a few of the many professionals I have spoken with these last few weeks. All of the professionals I meet are warm, compassionate, and really want to help.

I spent a week in California visiting, sitting in on groups, and getting a bird’s eye view of the marvelous treatment facilities I am representing in Hawaii. Alta Mira Recovery, Beacon House, Center for Discovery/Oceanaire — these people care.

Please be sure and click on Preferred Providers at Behavioral Health Hawaii to learn more about this top notch facilities.

Filed Under Uncategorized

The Maui News: Survey of Teens

October 19, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Survey of teens: Word out on risks of meth

Doctor says results indicate campaign is making strides in changing attitudes

WAILUKU – Hawaii teens are becoming more aware of the dangers posed by meth and are more wary of trying the drug than they were two years ago, according to a survey by the Hawaii Meth Project.

The 2011 Hawaii Meth Use & Attitudes Survey found that 59 percent of island teens now see “great risk” in trying meth even once or twice, up 15 points from 2009. Perception of risk was even greater among young adults, with 73 percent saying there was “great risk,” an increase of 16 points.

“I believe that teens’ attitudes are changing,” said 17-year-old Matthew Torres, a recent Baldwin High School graduate and Hawaii Meth Project Teen Advisory Council member. “Kids are beginning to understand a lot more.”

Torres said he believed that television and radio ads warning about the dangers of meth, and outreach events where he and other teen advocates can warn their peers about the drug, had connected with young people.

According to the survey, a high number of teens, 87 percent, disapprove of trying meth, an increase of five points from two years ago. And 70 percent have told friends not to use the drug, an increase of 11 percent.

More than half of teens, 53 percent, also now report that they have discussed the issue of meth with their parents in the past year, up from 48 percent.

In an announcement released by the Hawaii Meth Project, supporters said the survey results showed that the program was working.

“The results of the study are overwhelmingly positive and clearly indicate the Hawaii Meth Project campaign is making tremendous strides in changing attitudes and behaviors toward meth,” said Dr. Kevin Kunz, a Big Island physician who is president of the American Board of Addiction Medicine.

Also Thursday, the Hawaii Meth Project rolled out the next wave of its public information campaign, including new radio commercials that feature incarcerated Hawaii teens describing their experiences with meth, and television ads created by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Darren Aronofsky.

Read the whole article here.

Filed Under Teen Addiction

Detach With Love

September 8, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

I received an email earlier this week and it was “In Memory of” a families 31 year old daughter who had recently died of an overdose of prescription medication. It brings home the fact of the seriousness of the disease of addiction and the need to do what we can, and then let go. The current trend of Opiate and Benzodiazepine abuse and dependence has brought home the possibility of an accidental overdose to mainstream America. It is no longer the “junkie” we see on the streets of downtown USA. It is the college student, the high school senior, the proverbial girl next door. Prescription drug overdose is the second leading cause of accidental death behind motor vehicle accidents. It is a parents worse nightmare and many times what keeps them hostages to doing what they need to do to get help for their loved one. The parents of this girl struggled for a long time trying everything to keep their daughter safe. They got her the best care possible and she was on the road to recovery. They are thankful that her last months were spent happy and healthy. They were healing as a family. I wrote to the parents and in an email back to me they said they had “no regrets.” That is because they know they couldn’t stop this from happening. They did everything they could.

Detachment with love means caring enough about others to allow them to learn from their mistakes. It also means being responsible for our own welfare and making decisions without ulterior motives–the desire to control others.

If you find yourself resenting you child because they are using drugs, stealing from you, underachieving, expecting you to support them. Stop trying to get help for them and start by getting help for yourself. Get educated regarding the difference between healthy helping and enabling. When you are on the right track it will be easier to get the right kind of help for your loved one. Find a professional that understands addiction that can help you stay on the right track. Attend Alanon or Naranon meetings regularly. Don’t wait until a person wants help or “hits bottom” because that may be death. It is important to remember that we can do everything right and we still may lose them, but in recovery there is a higher likelihood of having “no regrets.” Get help today.

–Debbie Bayer, LMFT, CSAC

Filed Under Drug Addiction, Uncategorized Tagged With Prescription Drugs

The New York Times: Rethinking Addiction’s Roots, and Its Treatment

July 22, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

This is monumental. For so long Dr’s and Addiction Professionals have been at odd’s regarding how to treat an Addict/Alcoholic. Dr’s will tend to prescribe an addictive drug to a self-proclaimed Addict with the disclaimer just use it a prescribed. That is like setting a bowl of food down in front of my dog Teddy and telling him to only eat till he is full. Chemically Dependent people coming out of treatment need to see physicians that understand the way’s that drug and alcohol addiction behaves. Bravo to the medical profession and I hope some of them practice in Hawaii. I will keep my eye out for Dr’s that are addiction savvy!

—————————————————-

There is an age-old debate over alcoholism: is the problem in the sufferer’s head — something that can be overcome through willpower, spirituality or talk therapy, perhaps — or is it a physical disease, one that needs continuing medical treatment in much the same way as, say, diabetes or epilepsy?

Increasingly, the medical establishment is putting its weight behind the physical diagnosis. In the latest evidence, 10 medical institutions have just introduced the first accredited residency programs in addiction medicine, where doctors who have completed medical school and a primary residency will be able to spend a year studying the relationship between addiction and brain chemistry.

Read the rest of this The New York Times article, here.

Filed Under Drug Addiction, Uncategorized

From The Mother of an Addicted Loved One

June 29, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

At Family Intervention Works we start with the assumption that, treated respectfully, the addicted loved one will respond positively. Many interventionists will encourage that you plan a secret meeting, then confront the person using ultimatums. What I find is most often if you ask a person to come with you to see someone they will come. As in the case of the email I recently received. This family was in crisis and ready to spend thousands to send their daughter to inpatient treatment. After a one hour session, we established that she should start with outpatient treatment. She agreed to contact the treatment center in the morning and we developed a plan for them to come back should she fail to follow through. Here is the email:

Dear Debbie. Thank you for your skilled help yesterday. Going with the resistance was a wise path to what seemed to be the best possible outcome yesterday. (addicted loved one) has lots of support in her world and lots of challenges. Hopefully this is a step toward a more whole and healthy self–which is a pretty wonderful self behind the defenses. Your creating a supportive and informative alliance with (addicted loved one), allowed us to ask hard questions which hopefully was a step toward her telling the truth–to herself and to us. Thank you again–maybe I will come see you again during this process– for myself.

(mother of addicted loved one)

Filed Under Alcohol Addiction, Drug Addiction

Hawaii Treatment and Recovery

June 27, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Finding the right treatment facility or drug/alcohol rehab is a difficult process on the internet. When I put “treatment centers hawaii,” or “drug alcohol rehab hawaii” into Google, I get websites that are designed to send people to national call centers who know where. How do they know what my troubled teen on Maui might need? Many treatment center boast “individualized treatment” or “a cure for addiction.” I have talked to many people who have been sold over the phone only to find that the treatment was more interested in getting the money then making sure it was the right fit. Treatment is a huge financial investment not to mention the investment in the life of the loved one we are sending to drug rehab. I have traveled to a number of treatment centers on the Mainland or know someone who has direct experience with different facilities. Don’t trust the health of your loved one to chance. I am in Hawaii and will make every effort to help you find treatment in Hawaii or on the Mainland depending on the needs of the addict/alcoholic/eating disorder or other addictive behavior. I will work dillegently to find the best resources when the person comes home to get the best support possible for ongoing recovery.

–Debbie Bayer

Filed Under Alcohol Addiction, Drug Addiction, Eating Disorders, Systemic Intervention, Teen Addiction Tagged With Hawaii, Maui

Choosing The Right Level of Care for Patients with Eating Disorders

June 15, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Eating disorders are a progressive disease they start out as a mild problem that gradually develops into major medical issues. When diagnosis of an eating disorder is given the patient can be at any stage of the disease progression. Treatment for eating disorder goes hand in hand with the disease progression; there are five general levels of care for eating disorders, Outpatient, Intensive Outpatient, partial hospitalization, residential and inpatient hospitalization.

The main criteria for determining the level of treatment is the patient’s medical condition. For insurance those that reach the point of being at risk of losing their life if they do not receive immediate hospitalization. If a patient shows any signs of acute medical distress, they may need emergency inpatient care until they are medically stable. Doctors use certain criteria when determining level of treatment for those that are medically stable. The most important, weight it is the major factor in determining level of care. If a patient has lost a lot of weight due to refusing to eat then inpatient treatment might be the right decisions.

A critical factor or determining if inpatient treatment is needed is whether the patient is suicidal. The doctor will assess if the patient is at risk and if they need an inpatient facility with psychiatric monitoring. Other coexisting factors like psychiatric disorders or substance abuse may be contributing problems and doctors may recommend inpatient treatment for recovery from the eating disorder as well as the coexisting conditions.

Less intensive treatment options are available as well for those clients who do not show acute medical distress or mental issues. With motivation and support patients can succeed in recovery at outpatient or partial hospitalization facilities.

Another good way to determine the appropriate level of care is whether the patient is dealing with too much stress at home. Stressful living environments may trigger episodes of unhealthy eating behaviors. With this in mind, a patient might need inpatient or residential treatment for at least a short period of time.

All of these discussed in this article can determine proper level of care for treatment from eating disorder. You doctor can aide in making decisions for you depending on your medical condition.

Filed Under Eating Disorders
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