Linda Blakeley PhD Clinical Psychologist and Eating Disorder Specialist



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Some Startling Facts About Eating Disorders

  • According to the National Association of Anorexia and Associated Disorders approximately seven million women and one million men are suffering from eating disorders.

  • The Center for Disease Control in Atlanta reports that over 20 million people in the U.S. are suffering from some type of an eating disorder.

  • It is estimated that 3 to 6 per cent of the serious cases of eating disorders will die – that is a higher death rate than any other mental disorder.

  • Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are classified amount the most serious mental disorders along with schizophrenia, major depression and bipolar disorder.

Further Reading:

Basics About Eating Disorders

ANOREXIA NERVOSA...

Individuals suffering from ANOREXIA NERVOSA have an intense and irrational fear about gaining weight even though they are underweight. A key element in the diagnosis of anorexia is the individual’s weight is less than what is normally expected for their height and age. Their self-evaluation is greatly influenced by their body weight and shape. They are in denial about the seriousness of their low body weight. Females who have previously been menstruating suffer from amenorrhea. (the absence of menstruation) An individual suffering from anorexia may restrict their intake of food or they can exhibit symptoms of binge-eating and purging.

BULIMIA NERVOSA...

Those suffering from BULIMIA NERVOSA may experience recurring cycles of binge-eating and purging. During a binge, individuals can consume large amounts of food. This eventually leads to physical discomfort and anxiety about weight gain. The person may then purge the food by induced vomiting, restrictive dieting, use of laxatives, diuretics or a combination of these.

BINGE EATING...

BINGE-EATING or COMPULSIVE OVEREATING is characterized by impulsive overeating. There is no purging but individuals may resort to repetitive dieting or occasional fasting in an attempt to maintain thinness. Body weight can vary from normal to severe obesity.

Warning Signs

  • An unusual increase or decrease in weight not related to a medical condition
  • Abnormal eating habits such as severe dieting, secretive bingeing, purging, and withdrawn behavior
  • An all encompassing preoccupation with weight and body image
  • Compulsive or excessive exercising
  • Self-induced vomiting, periods of fasting or laxative, diet pill or diuretic abuse
  • Feelings of isolation, depression or irritability
  • Super achievers
  • Goes to bathroom often
  • Wearing baggy clothes
  • Overly concerned about looks
  • Cold all of the time
  • Preoccupied with male attention
  • Won’t eat at meals
  • Wants to belong to “in” group
  • Pushes food around on the plate
  • Overly independent
  • Picky about what foods they will eat
  • Isolates
  • Fights for control over food and in other areas of their life
  • Argumentative
  • Skinny
  • Overly compliant
  • Cavities
  • Secretive
  • Damaged teeth enamel
  • Lying
  • Perfectionists
  • Self-critical
  • Hides food
  • Remorseful after overeating

Overcoming Binge Eating

article by Dr. Linda Blakeley

Introduction

“I fought the binge for a few days but I knew I was going to do it over the weekend. I went to the store, bought my favorite junk food and ate until I thought I would die.  I never went out the entire weekend.”

Rachel suffered from guilt and shame over her late night binges. After bingeing she felt confused and remorseful. Although Rachel graduated from college with honors, she was unsure of what she wanted to do.

She quit a number of entry level jobs in a variety of career fields.  They all left her feeling dissatisfied.  She had few friends and rarely dated.

Her story is all too familiar.  Women struggling with a Binge Eating Disorder (BED) are robbed of their self esteem and self confidence often preventing them from having satisfaction in both their professional and personal lives.

From an early age, I struggled with binge eating myself.  As a clinical psychologist, eating disorder specialist for over fifteen years and national speaker, my mission is to assist women find inner peace and self love, to help them identify their unique voices so they can create a solid foundation for their lives and for the lives of their children.

Find out if you have a Binge Eating Disorder...(article available for download - as a pdf file)

[download the complete article here]

Treatment Approach

Eating disorders rob the individual from living a healthy life filled with passion.  It is my goal to help men and women stay on the path of lifelong recovery and growth. My treatment approach helps individuals restore their self esteem, discover their personal mission, enhance their relationships and live their lives with love and laughter.

In addition to individual sessions, there are groups, tele-seminars and workshops that promote ongoing recovery and growth. Many of my clients are entrepreneurs, executives and professionals who have developed successful, full and rewarding professional and personal lives.

My INTENSIVE TREATMENT APPROACH is based on a 6-level approach to recovery:

LEVEL l: Moving out of denial into AWARENESS

LEVEL 2: Increasing SELF ESTEEM and SETTING BOUNDARIES

LEVEL 3: Establishing a STABLE FOUNDATION

LEVEL 4: Expanding OPPORTUNITIES and MANAGING STRESS

LEVEL 5: Continuing to GROW for MAXIMUM SUCCESS

LEVEL 6: Ongoing Consultation to MAXIMIZE SUCCESS & MINIMIZE STRESS

A strong focus of treatment is on developing skills that offer MAXIMUM GROWTH while MINIMIZING the possibility of relapse. It is my goal to help patients develop a strong, stable sense of self.

Goals of Treatment

The following are some of the major treatment goals. They apply to all individuals who are participating in the program whether recovering from anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or binge eating. Specific goals and individualized treatment planning is done with each individual and is updated during treatment in order to promote full recovery.

  1. Ending symptomatic behaviors
  2. Addressing fears of foodIncreasing awareness of emotional versus physical cravings
  3. Increasing self esteem
  4. Increasing awareness of self destructive behaviors
  5. Addressing issues related to inner cravings
  6. Learning to listen to your body
  7. Separating food issues from feelings
  8. Developing a strong internal foundation
  9. Increasing self trust
  10. Developing awareness of triggers
  11. Learning new responses and managing triggers
  12. Uncovering childhood issues that are affecting recovery
  13. Understanding and healing early childhood issues
  14. Addressing issues of guilt and shame
  15. Learning to let go of old hurts and disappointments in order to live in the present
  16. Increasing positive communication skills
  17. Increasing assertion skills
  18. Anger management
  19. Finding satisfaction in everyday life: learning to live in the moment
  20. Satisfying career goals
  21. Increasing intimacy in personal relationships
  22. Developing effective stress management skills
  23. Developing a strong support system
  24. Reinforcing newly learned behaviors
  25. Growth within the family system
  26. Preventing relapse

Please contact me for more information or to arrange a free confidential consultation.