Awareness is critical with eating disorders
Sarah Campbell
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: News
People fall into eating disorders for many reasons. "Media presents an ideal woman as very thin, while not necessarily healthy," said Hestand. "Women especially fall into this 'the thinner the better' mentality."
Men sometimes resort to these disorders for athletic reasons, such as the need to be a certain weight for a competition.
Perfectionist personalities sometimes use an eating disorder as a way to control every aspect of their lives.
"For some people, the disorder is like something that has a life of its own," Hestand said.
If a student notices a friend who shows signs of a disorder, he/she can make a difference. The first step to be taken is the talk. The student should talk to the person. He or she should approach the person with concern, and be wary of being critical. If possible, accompanying the person with the problem to a professional can be especially helpful. In severe cases, intervention involving two to three people approaching the person could work to convince the person to see someone about his or her problem.
Students offered a variety of responses when asked what they would do if put in the situation of having a friend with that type of problem.
"I would tell them that they need help and I love them," said Stella Cole, a freshman nursing major from Gosnell. "I would also say that they should care more about their health and family than to be that selfish."
"I would ask my friend to talk about their problem, but if they didn't feel comfortable, I wouldn't want to forcefully interfere with their life," said Lee Quessenberry, a senior computer science major from Birdeye. "I'd be concerned for their safety but also considerate of their self-esteem and security."
A Place to Help
The ASU Counseling Center will be conducting an online screening involving eating disorders for National Eating Disorder Association week.
The questionnaire for the screening is available now through a link on the counseling center's Web site. There is the option of a person to person screening, but participation in that has been limited. Online is offered specifically for the benefit of anonymity.
National Eating Disorder Awareness week takes place from Feb. 24 to March 1.
There will be an information booth, provided by counseling services, in the student union that Monday, and the counseling staff will be available to talk to classes if professors request them.
Men sometimes resort to these disorders for athletic reasons, such as the need to be a certain weight for a competition.
Perfectionist personalities sometimes use an eating disorder as a way to control every aspect of their lives.
"For some people, the disorder is like something that has a life of its own," Hestand said.
If a student notices a friend who shows signs of a disorder, he/she can make a difference. The first step to be taken is the talk. The student should talk to the person. He or she should approach the person with concern, and be wary of being critical. If possible, accompanying the person with the problem to a professional can be especially helpful. In severe cases, intervention involving two to three people approaching the person could work to convince the person to see someone about his or her problem.
Students offered a variety of responses when asked what they would do if put in the situation of having a friend with that type of problem.
"I would tell them that they need help and I love them," said Stella Cole, a freshman nursing major from Gosnell. "I would also say that they should care more about their health and family than to be that selfish."
"I would ask my friend to talk about their problem, but if they didn't feel comfortable, I wouldn't want to forcefully interfere with their life," said Lee Quessenberry, a senior computer science major from Birdeye. "I'd be concerned for their safety but also considerate of their self-esteem and security."
A Place to Help
The ASU Counseling Center will be conducting an online screening involving eating disorders for National Eating Disorder Association week.
The questionnaire for the screening is available now through a link on the counseling center's Web site. There is the option of a person to person screening, but participation in that has been limited. Online is offered specifically for the benefit of anonymity.
National Eating Disorder Awareness week takes place from Feb. 24 to March 1.
There will be an information booth, provided by counseling services, in the student union that Monday, and the counseling staff will be available to talk to classes if professors request them.
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