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Health & Counseling |
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Center for Health and Counseling Services
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Welcome to the Center for Health & Counseling Services Online.
Our office is located in Elliott Hall on the Rutherford
campus. Our services are available to all Felician College
students, staff, and faculty.
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HOT OFF THE PRESSES
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Eating Disorders: Signs, Symptoms & How to Help
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A Word About Eating Disorders
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You may know someone with an eating disorder. It could be your
daughter, sister, mother, relative, friend or roommate. The
person may try to hide it, but the focus of her everyday life
revolves - obsessively - around food and weight. Some
people try to starve themselves. Others binge and then try
to undo this through some form of purging.
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Eating disorders are very serious. They have an impact on both
physical and mental health. Left untreated, they can be fatal.
People develop eating disorders as a way of dealing with the
conflicts, pressures and stresses of life. Their eating disorder may
be used as a way to express control when the rest of life seems out of
control.
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You Can Help!
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You may know someone with anorexia, bulimia or binge eating disorder.
Or you may suspect that someone has an eating disorder, but not be
certain. This information is meant to help you understand that person's
issues and offer suggestions for the ways in which you can help.
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Once an eating disorder has been recognized it can be treated successfully.
Most people with eating disorders are in denial. People with anorexia,
bulimia and/or binge eating disorder may exhibit some - though perhaps not
all - of the signs and symptoms identified below. Becoming aware of these
warning signs is the first step toward helping. And when you help, you can
save someone's life.
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What is Anorexia?
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Anorexia (clinically known as anorexia nervosa) is self-imposed
starvation. It is a serious, life-threatening disorder
which usually stems from underlying emotional causes. Although
people with anorexia are obsessed with food, they continually
deny their hunger. Women with anorexia often limit or restrict
other parts of their lives besides food - relationships, social
activities or pleasure. Anorexia can cause severe medical
problems and even lead to death.
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Warning Signs of Anorexia
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Here are some of the common warning signs that indicate that a
person may be suffering from anorexia. The person:
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Is thin and keeps getting thinner, losing 15% or more of her ideal body
weight
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Continues to diet or restrict foods even though she is not overweight
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Has a distorted body image - feels fat even when she is thin
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Is preoccupied with food, calories, nutrition or cooking
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Denies that she is hungry
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Exercises obsessively
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Weighs herself frequently
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Complains about feeling bloated or nauseated even when she eats normal -
or less than normal - amounts of food
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Loses her hair or begins to experience thinning hair
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Feels cold even though the temperature is normal or only slightly cool
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Stops menstruating
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What is Bulimia?
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Bulimia (clinically known as bulimia nervosa) is the repeated cycle of
out-of-control eating followed by some form of purging. Bulimia is a
serious eating disorder that can be fatal. The purging
associated with bulimia may be self-induced vomiting, excessive use of
laxatives or diuretics, or obsessive exercising. Women with bulimia
often feel out of control in other areas of their lives besides food.
They may spend money excessively, abuse drugs or alcohol, or engage in
chaotic relationships. Bulimia can have severe medical
consequences including dental and esophageal problems, kidney damage,
chemical imbalance and an overall loss of energy and vitality. It can
even prove fatal.
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Warning Signs of Bulimia
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Here are some of the common warning signs that a person may be
suffering from bulimia. The person:
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Engage in binge eating and cannot voluntarily stop
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Uses the bathroom frequently after meals
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Reacts to emotional stress by overeating
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Has menstrual irregularities
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Has swollen glands
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Experiences frequent fluctuations in weight
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Cannot voluntarily stop eating
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Is obsessively concerned about weight
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Attempts to adhere to diets, but generally fails
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Feels guilty or ashamed about eating
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Feels out of control
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Has depressive moods
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What is Binge Eating Disorder?
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Binge eating disorder is more commonly referred to as compulsive
overeating and can affect women or men, though it appears twice as
often among women.
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People with binge eating disorder suffer from episodes of uncontrolled
eating or bingeing followed by periods of guilt and depression. A binge
is marked by the consumption of large amounts of food, sometimes
accompanied by a pressured, "frenzied" feeling. Frequently, a
compulsive overeater continues to eat even after she becomes
uncomfortably full. Binge eating can lead to severe medical
problems including high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and
depression.
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Warning Signs of Binge Eating Disorder
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Here are some of the common warning signs that suggest a person may be
suffering from binge eating disorder. The person:
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Eats large amounts of food when not physically hungry, and eats much more
rapidly than normal
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Often eats alone because of shame or embarrassment, has feelings of
depression, disgust or guilt after eating
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Eats until the point of feeling uncomfortably full
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Has a history of marked weight fluctuations
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Do's and Don'ts
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If you are concerned about a friend, loved one, relative, or roommate
who shows signs of anorexia, bulimia and/or binge eating disorder, you
can help.
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Here are some specific suggestions of what you can do:
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DO
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tell her you want to help. Let her know you care. Express your concern
candidly and sincerely, but without criticism or judgment.
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DO
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be sure to pick the right time and place to discuss your concerns. Find a
time and place that will be free of distractions.
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DO
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try and get her to seek professional help as soon as possible. Suggest
seeking professional help from experts who specialize in eating disorders - a
therapist, dietitian or physician. If she refuses to do this, encourage her
to reach out to another helping professional - a counselor, teacher, a clergy
person or a school nurse.
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DO
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learn everything you can about eating disorders.
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DO
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be prepared to hear her deny that there is a problem. People often experience
eating disorders as shameful, embarrassing and hard to acknowledge.
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DO
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respond by saying that you are still concerned about what you've observed.
Let her know that you are there to provide help and support.
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DO
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be patient. Show caring, support and continued friendship by listening and
attempting to understand her perceptions about the situation.
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DO
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watch for signs of deteriorating physical or emotional health.
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DO
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refuse to get caught up in battles of will or arguments with her.
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DO
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be aware of any prejudices or preconceptions you may have about thin or fat
people, and think about the way these might be interpreted by an anorexic or
bulimic.
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DON'T
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try to solve her problem or cure the eating disorder on your own. These are
serious issues which require attention from experts.
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DON'T
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make comments about her appearance (or your own). Comments about weight loss
may be interpreted as a compliment and comments about weight gain may be seen
as a criticism.
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DON'T
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get involved in discussions about dieting, weight, calories consumed or
particular eating habits.
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DON'T
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compare her to other individuals. In general, avoid making flattering
comments about thin people or disapproving remarks about obese people.
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DON'T
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refer to foods as "good" or "bad." Try not to discuss
food or reinforce her preoccupation with food.
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DON'T
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try to make her eat or insist that she gain weight.
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DON'T
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try to analyze or interpret her behavior.
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DON'T
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agree to keep her eating disorder a secret from significant others when her
health and thinking are impaired.
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When & Where to Seek Help
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If anyone you know (including yourself) is exhibiting the warning signs of
anorexia or bulimia, it is important to seek professional counseling as soon
as possible. If untreated, the disorder will become part of a destructive
cycle which can continue for years and may eventually lead to death.
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Additional Information
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Call or stop by the Center for Health and Counseling Services on the
Rutherford Campus in Elliott Hall, (201) 559-3559. For more information
about programs, call The Renfrew Center at 1-800-RENFREW.
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