It’s true. Our dirty little secret is out. Eating disorders are just for college students anymore.
According to a recent article in Ladies’ Home Journal, there are few hard statistics on the age distribution of the estimated 5 to 10 million female Americans who suffer from some form of eating disorder, experts attest to a startling rise among midlife women. Says one clinic, "We've seen a fourfold increase in the percentage of our 40-and-over patient population since we opened in 1990, and a threefold increase in women over 50.” (Note: women in this age group are more likely to have medical insurance than younger ones, and therefore have greater access to treatment.)
Some stresses that may increase your likelihood of developing (or relapsing) include:
• Relationship problems
• Divorce
• Parenting troubles
• Death of a parent
• Career difficulties
• Financial strain
• Empty-nest syndrome
• Emotional and physiological changes brought on by menopause
• Fears associated with aging
• Desires to look younger and slimmer than your age may allow
Research suggests that about 79 percent of the deaths related to anorexia occur in women over the age of 49. I didn’t start my eating disorder until 35.
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The information provided on EatingDisordersOnline.com is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her health professional. This information is solely for informational and educational purposes and we encourage all visitors to see a licensed physician if they believe that they have an eating disorder. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Neither the owners or employees of EatingDisordersOnline.com nor the author(s) of site content take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading this site. Always speak with your primary health care provider before engaging in any form of self treatment. Please see our Legal Statement for further information.
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