Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Are you aware of the many forms an eating disorder can take? In our program at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center an emaciated 10-year-old cried over a ham sandwich which she was certain contained 4,000 calories. A woman in her 40s, who after gastric bypass surgery swung from obesity to emaciation, still struggles with her relationship to food. A young man tried to get healthy through diet and exercise, but got so caught up in the process that his weight plummeted and his mood crashed. Experts discuss the prevalence, causes, risks and an need for education about eating disorders in this week's edition of The Medical Minute, a service of the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. (more)
Monday, February 23, 2009
Eating disorders are usually not a laughing matter. But veteran comedian Michelle Garb, drawing from her 15-year battle with anorexia, uses wit and humor to educate audiences across the nation to the dangers and warning signs of disorders. (more)
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
For any student, going away to college and encountering new academic and social pressures can be a challenging experience. For some, those challenges, as well as pre-existing conditions, can result in issues that need the attention of qualified mental health experts. Dennis Heitzmann, director of the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at Penn State's University Park campus and an expert in college student mental health issues, said that the preponderance of students his center sees are dealing with anxiety and depression, but that each client is dealing with a unique situation. (more)
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Eating disorders have always been a concern, but there is a disturbing new trend. Younger and younger patients are being affected by these deadly diseases. Anorexia is being seen in patients prior to puberty, which previously was an unheard of phenomenon. Eating disorders, in particular anorexia nervosa, rank as the deadliest of the psychiatric disorders. So, asks this week's edition of The Medical Minute, a service of the Penn State Hershey Medical Center, what do we do when patients as young as 8 are demonstrating eating disorder symptoms? (more)
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
"Be comfortable in your genes" is the theme of National Eating Disorders Association as they focus on the need for individuals, especially women, to accept their genetically determined body and not try to force themselves into molds (or jeans) that don't fit. And according to The Medical Minute, a service of the Penn State Hershey Medical Center, the key message for this year's National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is "Be comfortable in your genes. Wear jeans that fit the true you." (more)
