From a diet to a disorder

A Valley expert on treating eating disorders is glad to see HBO giving the affliction some attention.
By GAIL WHITE
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
"Eating disorders affect an estimated 5 million people in the United States."
"As many as one in seven women with anorexia will die from the illness."
These grim statistics are shared in the beginning moments of a shocking HBO film airing at 9 p.m. Tuesday. The documentary, titled "Thin: If it takes dying to get there, so be it," exposes the tragic, secretive, and often deadly, world of eating disorders.
Filmed at the Renfrew Center in Florida, a residential treatment facility, the HBO piece gives a first-hand look at a group of women undergoing treatment for their eating disorders.
Walking into the facility through the eyes of the camera, the viewer learns that some of these women have arrived at Renfrew after attempting suicide. Others are undergoing treatment after decades of nutritionally abusing their bodies. And a few are young teenagers, sent to the facility by concerned parents. All are horrifically thin.
Unlike many documentaries, there is no moderator in "Thin." HBO has created a film completely void of commentary. The story is told through the lives of the women striving for recovery.
There is a bit of colorful drama for flair, but for the most part, the show is painfully open and earnest. HBO captured the essence of the struggle of these women through their own words and actions. In this case, their pictures truly express more than a thousand words ever could.
From the emaciated bodies unveiled at early morning weigh-in, to the look of horror and disgust on the faces of each woman at mealtime, "Thin" reveals the side of eating disorders that those who do not struggle with the disease struggle to understand.
Valley expert
Wendy Persson, nationally certified counselor and certified cognitive behavioral therapist, specializes in eating disorders at her practice in Boardman. She believes the issue of eating disorders needs more national attention with shows like HBO's documentary.
"It thrills me to show the truth -- the pain and suffering and the expense of recovery from this chronic illness," Persson said. "The lack of public awareness adds to the devastation."
Persson acknowledges there has been a greater awareness of eating disorders in the past several years. Television and movie stars with the disease have become cover stories in national magazines and on talk shows. "But it is still glamorized to be ultra thin," Persson said. "That is a pervasive obstacle."
Another obstacle facing individuals with eating disorders is a lack of quality research and quality clinicians.
"Research is grossly underfunded," the clinical psychologist said. "There are very few really good, quality clinicians and programs in the country."
Indeed, as the women in the HBO documentary shared their daily lives in treatment, phone conversations and counseling sessions revealed that most lived in other states, far from the Renfrew facility in Florida.
Paying for help
Health insurance is another obstacle that Persson finds in her practice as she treats those with eating disorders.
"There is a problem with mental health insurance coverage in general," Persson said, understanding the problem is larger than her area of expertise. "Those with eating disorders can be hospitalized for extended periods of time."
Most insurance plans are not set up to cover long stays.
"It is a very difficult disease to treat," the clinical psychologist said. "I work with a team -- doctors, nutritionists, psychiatrists -- developing a comprehensive treatment program, working on all levels."
It is a long process ... and an expensive one.
"If you're looking at just changing the eating habit or relationship to food, you're missing the boat." Persson said.
"Some of insurance companies don't cover treatment for eating disorders at all. A lot don't have a step-down process," she said, referring to the transitional period from in-patient treatment to outpatient therapy. "Relapse is a definite problem."
The women in HBO's documentary shared the same dilemma. Many were sent home because their insurance was running out.
Other elements
Fear is a major issue when dealing with eating disorders. "They are completely fat phobic," Persson said. She believes that the fear of being fat is culturally induced. "Specifically media, parenting and cultural issue -- like being called fat in fifth grade."
People with eating disorders have turned to food as a coping mechanism, and it ends up being its own problem.
"One of the biggest misconceptions is who these people are," Persson said. "These are talented, bright, well-educated, perfectionistic, driven and ambitious people." Because of this, Persson said, "there is an incredible amount of shame."
As a result, many individuals with an eating disorder live in denial and deception, causing their disease to go unchecked and untreated.
"People with eating disorders define themselves by their bodies," she said. They have a body image disturbance. "Normal, healthy 16- or 46-year-olds don't starve themselves or make themselves throw up. There is a psychological problem."
"You can't tell someone with anorexia nervosa, 'Just eat!'" Persson said. "If they could they would. They can't. Nobody wants to be this way."
One woman in the show echoed Persson's belief when she pleaded, "I want to taste recovery."