Blog

Category: body-dismorphia

The Body Image Problem

Weight- and body shape-related distress is typically a core feature of eating disorders.  In my experience, body image problems often predate the onset of eating disorder behaviors and linger after they are brought into remission.  Over the years, I have witnessed a variety of body image concern presentations.  Some patients experience a ‘fear of fatness.’  … Read More

Moving Toward Recovery II

Caroline H Leibman, MA Ed, BC-DMT, NCC, SEP Individual Therapist; Dance & Movement, Expressive & Psychodrama Group Therapist   In my previous blog I shared the important role of the Creative Arts therapies in Eating Disorders treatment. I cited Dance/Movement Therapy, Authentic Movement, Somatic Experiencing, Yoga Therapy and Mindful Walking as specific therapies and/or body-based … Read More

Eating Disorders in the School Setting

Julie Rami, M.A. Ed., B.S. Spec. Ed. McCallum Place Teacher Nancy Anderson, B.S. Ed. McCallum Place Teacher Many times an educator is the first person who notices some of the warning signs of an eating order. Think of all the time that a student spends in a classroom setting and how many different people consistently … Read More

Moving Toward Recovery

Caroline Leibman, MA, NCC, BC-DMT, SEP Individual Therapist; Dance & Movement, Expressive & Psychodrama Group Therapist Movement is our first language. Before we had access to language we spoke with our bodies. We used gesture, posture and sound to communicate our wants and needs. If you have been around an infant or toddler lately you … Read More

How to Approach a Male who Might have an Eating Disorder

Written by Randall C. Flanery, PhD, Director of Webster Wellness Professionals Approaching someone about an unacknowledged psychological disorder cannot help but be awkward and unsettling. You can see that something is not right, and may even know the cause, but you will be understandably reluctant to speak up.  The thoughts and fears that stream through … Read More

Starting the Conversation—College Life, Eating Disorders and Comorbidity

Written by Stephanie Bagby-Stone, MD When it comes to struggling with an eating disorder, college is a high risk time. The median age of onset for most eating disorders occurs during these years.2 Studies on college campuses report that nearly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have disordered eating or unhealthy weight … Read More

Managing Anxiety

Written by Michelle Skala, MA, LPC, NCC Dealing with anxiety can be incredibly exhausting; racing thoughts, tightness in your chest, tense muscles. What is someone expected to do when everything feels so overwhelming? Thankfully, there are quite a few options. Dealing with anxiety may be difficult in the moment, however, sitting with those uncomfortable feelings … Read More

Boys and Anorexia: Similar, and So Different

Written by Randall Flanery, PhD, Director of Webster Wellness Professionals A trim young man sits in my office, brought to see me by his parents who aren’t sure if they should be concerned. He has noticeable muscle definition by virtue of a rigorous work-out regimen, and consumes a high protein, low fat diet of about … Read More

How Eating Disorders Affect Sports Performance

Written by Ron A. Thompson, PhD, FAED, CEDS When talking with athletes and coaches about eating disorders, the question I am often asked is how eating disorders affect sport performance. This is an important question because some athletes tell me that their performance actually improved when they began disordered eating behaviors (i.e., restricted eating, weight … Read More

Unbalanced Exercise in Athletes

Written by Riley Nickols, PhD Sport Psychological Resident, Therapist The Fall season is upon us. As such, students and teachers are in the middle of the school semester and athletes are in the midst of their respective Fall sport. A change in seasons could be a helpful reminder to be aware of changes in exercise … Read More