Anorexia and Professional Women
Can professional school or a high-powered career cause anorexia nervosa in women? Compelling anecdotal evidence suggests an association between advanced degrees and eating disorders, but that is no reason for…
Anorexia and Photo Therapy
Veteran actors are familiar with the old adage “the camera never lies.” That’s one reason they always strive to look their best. But the lens has also been used for…
Anorexia and Equine Therapy
When I was 11, I went on a day-long, group horseback riding tour in New York’s Catskill Mountains. We were enjoying a shady trail on a hot, summer afternoon when…
Anorexia and the Workplace
Last week I received an email from an employer who suspects that a woman he recently hired has anorexia. Let’s call him “Charlie.” Although he did not know her well,…
Light Therapy May Help Anorexics
Sunny days of spring and summer can banish winter blues. Being outdoors at this time of year can greatly brighten your spirits, especially if you are depression-prone. And recent research…
Virtual Reality May Help Restore Healthy Body Image In Anorexics
A new technology may soon banish an old scourge: body image distortion in anorexics. Using “virtual reality,” researchers are trying to help patients develop healthy ideas about their figures. Although…
Support For Family And Friends
The physical and psychological effects of anorexia nervosa on eating-disordered persons are well-known. Less obvious is the fact that the illness exacts a similar toll on family and friends. It…
Slim Insurance Coverage for Anorexics
It’s no secret that managed care has made essential medical coverage difficult to obtain. But HMO’s are especially tough on anorexic patients. A March 27, 1999 Wall Street Journal article,…
Anorexia and Abuse
Abuse can take many forms, among them: battering, sexual assault, and emotional harm. Some argue that hurtful words to a child (e.g., “You’re so stupid”) can leave deeper scars than…
Empty-Headed Quick Fixes
Last month ABC News.com reported the death of former British child singing star Lena Zavaroni. According to the report, at the time of her death, Zavaroni, 35, weighed less than…