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Bulimia researchers near cure
By Crystal Meyer
New hope has come for people who suffer in silence or have trouble admitting to themselves and loved ones of their struggle with the eating disorder bulimia, a disease that affects one to three percent of middle and high school girls and one to four percent of college age women each year.
The St. Cloud Hospital Behavioral Health Clinic is joining forces in collaboration with Neuropsychiatric Research Institute (NRI) from Fargo, North Dakota in a research project to study the causes and contributing factors of what causes bulimia and how to help treat patients with this severe eating disorder.
Increasing evidence has made it apparent that individuals who suffer from bulimia nervosa more then likely develop certain types of self-destructive behaviors that do not seem to respond well with the treatments used to cure the traditional eating disorder.
However it is still just a theory in the eyes of most, as there is still a need for more research. Very little evidence exists about the daily activities and patterns of bulimic individuals. That is the goal of Stephen Wonderlich, Ph.D., a research scientist from NRI and his team are working on a study to make clear the behaviors and causes of bulimia. They will examine the role of certain personality traits, childhood adversity, daily events, daily moods and daily coping behaviors in the prediction of self-destructive behavior.
"Helping to identify environmental factors that contribute to bulimia nervosa is the main objective to the study," Wonderlich said. "Knowing what triggers these behaviors is the best way to develop proper treatment."
The study will involve 150 subjects who will complete electronic diaries for two weeks, which will help gather a sufficient amount of information to know how to give the best treatment possible for individuals with this particular eating disorder.
The study started September 2000 and will continue through August 2003. So far 87 people have already completed the study and another 106 subjects are remaining to complete it in its entirety. NRI has received a federal grant of $612,408 to continue with the needed research in order to help develop proper treatments for bulimic individuals.
However, NRI is not the only group looking to help women and even men suffering from bulimia. The Women's Center located two buildings down from Mitchell Hall on SCSU campus, also helps people with eating disorders through emotional support and provided information, such as brochures.
The center works on outreach programs for various issues and struggles involving students. One upcoming event co-sponsored by the Women's Center and the Women's Equality Group, is the art show going on in the Atwood Theater Lounge October 22nd through the 24th. The artist Larry Kirkwood, makes body casts of all different shapes and sizes of men and women to show that all types of people are beautiful.
"I think the media has a huge impact on society. They put forth this ideal image of what women should look like, which isn't normal," said Kerri Roesner, 24, graduate student and also the graduate assistant at the Women's Center.
Between this study and the positive displays the Women's Center and other groups are sponsoring, more women should start seeking help and learn that it's perfectly fine and healthy for women to love themselves the way they are.
The shame is still there for many patients though, says Bette Bakke, Ph.D., psychologist, also participating in the study.
"People with bulimia, compared to anorexia, are a lot more destructive. The thing that stops them from getting help is embarrassment," said Bakke.
For help or treatment with bulimia or anorexia, the Women's Health Center is available as well as a toll free number: 1-800-931-2237 for help, referrals, or questions.
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