In the U.S. alone, 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lives. During National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (Feb. 24 – March 2), Summit Eating Disorders and Outreach Program encourages everyone to be aware of signs and symptoms of a potential eating disorder in friends and loved ones, and to seek professional help if needed.
“Without proper intervention and treatment, the likelihood of full recovery from and eating disorder decreases dramatically,” says Jennifer Lombardi, MFT, Executive Director of the Summit Eating Disorders and Outreach Program. “It’s important that loved ones realize just how serious these illnesses are and support the person struggling in getting access to treatment quickly.”
Top 10 warning signs of an eating disorder:
1. Dramatic weight loss
2. Change in behaviors around food
3. Depression and/or anxiety symptoms
4. Use of laxatives, diet pills or diuretics
5. A pattern of avoiding food
6. Going to the restroom after a meal
7. Fatigue or dizziness
8. Increased agitation or fighting about meals
9. Excessive or compulsive exercise
10. Sneaking or hoarding food
About Summit Eating Disorders and Outreach Program
Summit Eating Disorders and Outreach Program is a Joint Commission-accredited center for eating disorders treatment and prevention based in Sacramento, California.
Founded in 2000, Summit is a medically-supervised treatment program serving both adolescents and adults with anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder, and organizes professional development and prevention services for the community at large.
A multidisciplinary team of professionals oversees outpatient levels of care, including a seven day-per-week Partial Hospitalization Program, an Intensive Outpatient Program and flexible outpatient programming in Sacramento, as well as Intensive Outpatient and flexible outpatient programs in Fresno and Roseville.
Summit is in partnership with Eating Recovery Center, an international center for eating disorders recovery providing comprehensive treatment for anorexia, bulimia, EDNOS and binge eating disorder. For more information about Summit, call (916) 574-1000 or visit www.sedop.org.
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