What's Eating You?

• changes in eating patterns over time that may include:
  -eating alone or secretive eating
  -feeling shame or out of control of eating behaviors
  -excluding large groups of food from diet or restricting food intake
  
• noticeable change in weight or appearance not caused by illness
  -an anorexic may lose 25% of her/his body weight and appear very emaciated, or stop menstruating
  -bulimics tend to be of normal weight or slightly overweight
  -a bulimic's weight may fluctuate within a short period of time
  
• marked increase in exercise or physical activity
• change in personality
  -a person with an eating disorder may become secretive, defensive, moody, irritable, restless, isolated, depressed or withdrawn

Food is not the issue Even though people with anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive eating become obsessed with food, exercise, and eating, it is important to remember that food is not the issue. People with eating disorders are struggling to cover up problems in other areas of their lives. Anorexia, bulimia, and compulsivve eating are the person's attempts to handle feeling out of control, low self-esteem and low self-worth, feeling inferior, and trouble making decisions.

Who has eating disorders? Anyone can have an eating disorder. Women and men, as well as people from all classes and races struggle with difficult issues in their lives, and eating disorders are a way of coping that many people choose.
Even people that appear happy and successful have struggled with eating issues. Famous people who have gone public with their problems include:
Princess Diana (bulimia), Jane Fonda (bulimia), Elton John (bulimia), Joan Rivers (bulimia), Tracey Gold (anorrexia), Paula Abdul (bulimia).

How to help a friend In a caring and non-judgmental way, approach your friend. Let him or her know why you are concerned and what behaviors you have noticed that alarm you. Say "I am concerned about (the behavior you have notice). I will do what I can to help you."

- If the person refuses to get help, remember that they might want your help in the future.
- Recognize that friends and relatives can't cure the person. Do not force the person to eat or watch their eating activities.
- Try to focus away from eating and weight, and let the person know you care about who he or she is, not his or her appearance.

How to help yourself

- Gather information on eating disorders.
- Think about or write down what it is about your use of food or exercise that concerns you.
- Talk to someone who can help you (school counselor or nurse, teacher, family member, friend). Let them know why you are concerned about your problem. You might want to say something like: "I've been learning about eating orders in my health class. I'm worried that I might have an eating problem." Explain to the person what it is about your use of food/behavior that worries you.

Recovering from an eating disorder Recovering from an eating disorder can be a long and difficult proccess. Recognizing that there is a problem and seeking help is the first step. There are many different approaches to treating eating disorders.
Local and National Resources

• Nancy Gulanick, PhD. & Associates
  Dr. Joyce Block
  300 N. Michigan, South Bend
  287-7399
  
• Riverwalk Associates
  Psychological Counseling & Consulting Services
  Dr. Joyce Dunfee
  1627 E. Jefferson Blvd.
  
• Memorial Hospital
  HOPE (Healthy Options for Problem Eaters) Program
  (free asseessment)
  Dr. Gerald Meyers, Director
  284-7151
  
• University of Notre Dame Counseline
  631-7793 (Mon.-Thurs. 4 p.m. -midnight)
  free and confidential tapes
  Anorexia #51, Bulimia #52, Compulsive Overeating #53
  How to Help a Friend who May Have an Eating Disorder #54
  
• Anorexia Nervosa & Related Eating Disorders, Inc.
  (ANRED)
  P.O. Box 5102
  Eugene, OR 97405
  (503) 344-1144
  
• National Association of Anorexia and Associated Diseases
  P.O. Box 7
  Highland Park, Il 60035
  (708) 831-3438
  
• University Counseling Center
  University of Notre Dame
  3rd Floor Health Services Building
  Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
  (219) 631-7336
  
• Counseling & Career Development Center
  164 Le Mans Hall
  Saint Mary's College
  (219) 284-4565

Hope Program at Memorial Hospital of South Bend When food becomes an obsession. . . there's HOPE
You are not alone
Millions of people in the United States, and hundreds of people in Michiana, feel just the way you do. Confused. Out of control. Guilty.
But with proper care, counseling and education, you can begin to heal. You can learn to accept yourself, gain a neew outlook on life and a renewed feeling of HOPE.
Many others who feel the way you do have sought help and learned to cope with their lives in a healthier way. They found HOPE.
The Program
HOPE is an intensive program that helps you with the medical, psychological, spiritual, nutritional and family aspects of your problems with food. HOPE offers individual and family therapy sessions specially tailored to your needs. Our groupp therapy sessions also address your specific needs while ofering the support that comes from talking to people who really understand what you're feeling.
Ask for Help __ Please
Being out of control is a scary feeling. So is feeling alone. And guilty. But perhaps the scariest part of all is asking for help. You've already taken the first step, now make the next one and call to schedule your free initial evaluation. Someone who understands is waiting to offer you HOPE.
HOPE Program
(219) 284-7151
Free initial evaluation