Spotlight on Eating Disorder Center

Estimates are that 30 million Americans struggle with an eating disorder at some point in their lives. This unhealthy relationship with food affects all age groups, although teenagers and young adults are especially vulnerable. Both genders can be impacted, but while females with the disorder outnumber males three to one, it is widely thought that males are underrepresented in the statistics. If left untreated, eating disorders put individuals at a frighteningly high risk of premature death.

“We refer to eating disorders as maladaptive coping skills. Individuals have difficulty dealing with stress, anxiety, interpersonal relationships and more,” noted Tanja Haaland, program director, Eating Disorder Center of Kansas City. “Somewhere between 40 and 60 percent have trauma, which can sometimes be serious abuse but can also be a series of smaller traumas that are difficult to deal with over time. Basically, it comes down to how individuals view themselves in relation to these life events and how they interact with the world.

Helping Individuals Find Empowerment

Eating disorders cause severe disturbances to an individual’s eating behaviors. Obsessions with food, body weight and shape may indicate a problem. Eating disorders may coincide with depression, substance abuse or anxiety disorders. At Eating Disorder Center of Kansas City, an evidence-based treatment model is employed to empower individuals to overcome eating disorders. The staff treats the full array of eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating, diabulimia, orthorexia and other specified feeding or eating disorders. Eating disorders are shame based, and we help our patients understand why they’re feeling that shame,” noted Tanja. “We help them let go of the shame that drives their behaviors and help them move towards living from an authentic sense of self.”

Complicated and challenging, eating disorders require consistent and permanent lifestyle changes. To accomplish this, Eating Disorder Center of Kansas City offers a partial hospitalization program. Patients are at the facility for eight to ten hours a day, six days a week for their treatment. “No patient is the same. We specialize in individualized care because the reason for the manifestation of the disorder is unique,” remarked Tanja. “Our treatment model is a celebration of figuring out how to be connected in the world and with yourself. It’s about discovering who you are and what you like.”

Researchers have determined eating disorders are caused by genetic, biological, psychological and social factors. By better understanding the risk factors, specific psychotherapies and medications can focus on areas in the brain affecting eating behavior. Other clues about how a person might respond to treatment come from studying brain imaging and genetic studies. “There is a genetic component to developing an eating disorder,” noted Tanja. “We say that genetics loads the gun and environment pulls the trigger.”

Freeing the Spirit

Eating Disorder Center of Kansas City offers a unique treatment approach revolving around five core concepts called CAMSA. Connection, Acceptance, Mindfulness, Sense of Self and Action serve as the pillars of the center’s bio-psycho-social-spiritual treatment model. Patients are empowered to regain their well-being through this amazing individualized program. The regimen includes individual therapy, family therapy, psychiatric and medical support, nutritional counseling, educational groups, expressive therapies and much more.

“Our staff understands the illness and can help the patient not feel alone and overwhelmed. We want them to understand they’re more than their illness,” revealed Tanja. “Our Defining ME campaign inspires patients to go on a judgment-free journey and begin to define who they are away from the eating disorder identity and live as their authentic selves.”

Journey of Self Discovery

Matching the skills, passion and excellence of the interdisciplinary team with the specific needs of each patient, treatment focuses on healing the whole person-mind, body and spirit. Eating Disorder Center of Kansas City offers a safe environment where patients learn to live life, embrace their authentic selves and fulfill their dreams. “We teach people mindfulness and how to reconnect with their bodies,” affirmed Tanja. “For example, they learn to exercise not because they feel they have to but because they’re listening to how their body wants them to move.”

What used to be considered a young woman’s disorder has now grown to include many more individuals on life’s spectrum. Women and men in their 40s, 50s and 60s are coming forward with eating disorders. Once thought of as a higher socio-economic malady, it has spread across all income levels and includes all races. But there is hope at Eating Disorder Center of Kansas City. The staff understands how challenging recovery from an eating disorder can be, but most importantly, how those affected deserve to reclaim their lives. HLM

Visit edcdenver.com/kansas-city, the office at 8500 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Merriam, Kansas, or call 913-945-1277.