Eating Disorders: Anorexia, Bulimia, & Binge Eating | Sarah Burney

In this crucial episode of the Real Mental Health podcast, Dr. Mike Mah welcomes certified eating disorder specialist Sarah Burney to shed light on the alarming increase in eating disorder cases. A 2020 Lancet Psychiatry study revealed a doubling of cases from 2000-2018, even before the pandemic hit.

Sarah and Dr. Mah provide an in-depth exploration of various eating disorders, including:

Defining Eating Disorders: Understanding the key differences between disordered eating and clinical eating disorders.

Anorexia Nervosa: A deep dive into restrictive and purging subtypes, underlying thought patterns, and the concept of "egosyntonic" behaviors.

Bulimia Nervosa: Exploring the cycle of binging and compensatory behaviors, and how it contrasts with anorexia.

Binge Eating Disorder (BED): Dispelling myths and clarifying the diagnostic criteria, including the role of impulsivity and "food noise."

ARFID & OSFED: Briefly touching on Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder and Otherwise Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders.

Eating Disorder Treatment: Discussing the essential role of a multidisciplinary team (therapists, dieticians, psychiatrists) and the challenges of treatment, especially concerning the perception of weight gain with medication.

GLP-1 Agonists (Ozempic, Wegovy): A critical discussion on their potential role in treating binge eating disorder and the dangers of misuse in other eating disorders.

Body Positivity Movement: Sarah and Dr. Mah offer a nuanced perspective on its intentions, its impact on self-image, and where it may fall short in addressing severe disordered eating.

Social Media's Influence: Examining how unrealistic beauty standards and constant exposure to curated images contribute to body image issues and eating disorders.

Parental Guidance: Practical advice for loved ones on how to approach conversations with someone struggling with an eating disorder, emphasizing compassion over judgment.

Full Recovery: Can true recovery from an eating disorder be achieved? Sarah shares her expertise and offers hope.

Join us for this insightful and compassionate conversation that aims to educate, destigmatize, and offer pathways to healing for those impacted by eating disorders.

For more information about Sarah Burney and the Burney Therapy Group, visit www.BurneyTherapyGroup.com.

0:00 Introduction & Defining Eating Disorders
4:25 Anorexia Nervosa: Definition, Psychology & Treatment Challenges
20:19 Ad Read: Century City Psychiatry
20:55 The Science of Eating Disorders & Brain Function
39:50 Bulimia Nervosa: Understanding Binge-Purge Cycles
55:52 Binge Eating Disorder: Diagnosis & Unique Aspects
1:09:00 New & Emerging Treatments (GLP-1s)
1:23:17 Societal Influences: Body Positivity & Social Media
1:35:40 Audience Questions & Final Thoughts on Recovery
1:40:15 Seeking Help & Concluding Remarks

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