theagingofanorexia

Eating Disorders in Adults

Ruthan Brodsky

I think it’s interesting that the new Ms. America, from Michigan no less (that’s where I live), struggled with anorexia as a teen. Her eating may have been more classic – the problem of a troubled teen or young woman in college – but still it had to be a huge struggle. Thrilled that she brought the eating disorder topic out in the open.

I’d enjoy interviewing her for this blog if one of you can connect us.

The more I research about anorexia and adults the more I learn that there are studies of eating disorders that affect women in their 30’s. 40’s, 50’s and beyond. I wonder why no one discusses this issue. It’s probably because middle age and beyond are not very glamorous and the media isn’t going to do much selling if they remind us we’re getting older and age has its problems.

Dr. Donald McAlpine, a psychiatrist and director of the adult outpatient eating disorders services at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota says that adult women with eating disorders typically fall into 3 categories:

· Those who have struggled with an eating disorder their entire life and never received treatment;

· Those who were treated for eating disorders when they were younger and relapsed into another eating disorder when they got older;

· Women who first develop an eating disorder as an adult.

McAlpine says that women, who are treated when younger, can get well but many continue to have some degree of an eating disorder symptom that usually flares up under stress.

He points out that there are differences in the characteristics of eating disorders for adult women in their 30’s and older than for teens. These differences include:

· Eating disorders in women in their 40s and beyond are often triggered by life events such as the death of a loved one, divorce, remarriage, traumatic illness or signs of aging. Women of any age can struggle with a poor body image.

· Typically, older women acknowledge they need help while young women and girls deny anything is wrong.

· Older women who have been living with the eating disorder for years can find it very difficult to live without the eating disorder because it’s become so much a part of their life.

· Eating disorders endanger health at any age but they are particularly dangerous for women in their 60s and older. In fact, most people who die of the effects of anorexia are older than age 65 – not young girls. Older women develop much more serious health problems which often result in health conditions that make them more vulnerable to problems from eating disorders.

According to Dr. McAlpine, older women with eating problems who were treated unsuccessfully in their younger years are usually more motivated to get better because they have a better understanding of the consequences of their disease. Besides, there are new medications and more is known about the disease so that it can be treated better in the first place.

Too bad I didn’t know much about these 10 years ago. Even though I only saw my sister once or twice a year and we seldom talked over on the phone, I could have confronted her and we could have had some wing-dinger verbal brawls. But I didn’t know. No clue. I never really looked for clues.

She would be very happy to know, however, that if a mother has an eating disorder, there’s a good chance a daughter will also have issues. Our mother had some of the definite characteristics although she was seldom ugly thin. She just was extremely concerned about her shape, weight and body image. I categorized those traits as her not being happy with getting older. I guess it was a lot more than her vanity.

Did any of you miss clues about eating disorders of your family? Share your story and be a help to us all.

Warmly,
Ruthan

Ruthan Brodsky
www.balanceyourhealth.com
www.upsideofaging.com

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How Do You Know When Someone Is Anorexic?

Four years ago I told my sister I thought she was much too skinny and that maybe she had a problem. I was being careful with my words hoping for a discussion rather than a defensive response.

She had been in town a few days for her semi annual visit to our mother. My careful words didn’t work -she yelled at me – viciously – It reminded me of the way she would argue and yell and be almost out of control when we were kids.

I mentioned my concern – carefully again - to her husband and step son. They both responded that she was having stomach problems. Chron’s Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome were the 2 stomach conditions my sister used for not eating and then there was something about scar tissue from a surgical procedure.

My husband and I discussed her condition and we both had no doubt that she was anorexic. He asked if I thought she were purging also. I didn’t think so.

My sister was very bright and a very good liar – even as a kid and later as a young adult. Much better than me.

When she died I had the one regret that I didn’t confront her earlier about her illness. A couple of friends who are psychologists told me it ‘wouldn’t have mattered.’ Perhaps I should have confronted her husband and step son but I never even thought about it.

These were some of the symptoms we saw that gave us our first clue. I’m hoping they may be helpful to others to recognize the beginning journey to anorexia.

· She was very thin-skinny, but it was an unhealthy thinness with lose flesh probably due to loss of muscle mass which was exaggerated by her age.
· She started having problems with her teeth and had a couple extracted. I think her lack of nutrition just exasperated any dental problems she had. I also believe she was losing bone mass and her jaw structure was changing.
· She was always cold – no matter the temperature.
· I saw her in shorts once: her legs were that thinness from models (and people did remark how great she looked in shorts which didn’t help)
· She didn’t have a healthy color – and she lived in Florida. Maybe not quite grey but it looked lifeless.

I suppose there was always that element of doubt when we became blatantly aware of her condition. Not everyone who fusses with food qualifies for a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. Still, being more proactive earlier might have helped before she became so enmeshed in the downhill spiral.

If you or members of your family noted other signs of early anorexia – if there is such a thing – please share them with our readers. Scroll down to ‘comments’ and list the symptoms in the blank window. Thanks

Ruthan Brodsky