Jeffrey DeSarbo, D.O. is a physician, psychiatrist and Medical Director of ED-180 Eating Disorder Treatment Programs in Garden City, N.Y., one of the largest private treatment centers in the country. His personal practice manages about 400 patients with eating disorders and related conditions. Dr. DeSarbo is an IAEDP certified supervisor overseeing the specialized training of other clinicians in the eating disorder field. He is the host of the podcast Translating ED and the producer of the free YouTube series The Brain and Neurobiology of Eating Disorders.

Join us in this episode to discuss important topics such as the relationship between eating disorders and neurobiology, biological predisposition, and the science behind irregular eating patterns. If you’ve ever thought “I just have to rewire my brain”, this episode is definitely for you!

[0:01-5:06] Introductions

• I introduced our guest speaker for today
• His background and why he got into the medical field

 

[5:07-14:48] Neurobiology and Genetics in Eating Disorders

• Understanding the physiological-biological process specifically the neurological aspects of the brain
• How does electrochemical energy manufacture a thought or a feeling?
• Eating disorders caused by genetics
• A person cannot develop an eating disorder if they are not really prone to it

 

[14:49-32:59] Biological Predisposition for Eating Disorders

• The ability of the brain to change itself
• Addictive eating patterns
• Rewiring your brain
• What restriction looks like neurobiologically
• Why is intelligence affected less when you have an eating disorder?
• Common trait of anorexia is perfectionism
• Bulimia nervosa: self induced vomiting 

 

[33:00 -49:39] Neurobiological Changes: Understanding the Nature of Eating Disorders

• Most people feel invincible when they suffer from eating disorders
• Compulsive exercise and its neurobiological component
• Body image distortion and distress
• Repairing the brain’s central nervous system
• How do these changes affect recovery?
• Confronting your biggest fears

 

[49:41-51:12] Closing Segments

• Where to find Dr.DeSarbo?

 

Resources Mentioned:

• ED180
• The Brain and Neurobiology of Eating Disorders 
• Translating ED
• Nora Volkaw

 

Tweetable Quotes:

“Eating disorder is not a choice, it's something that happens” -Dr. DeSarbo

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You can connect with me, Rachelle Heinemann on Instagram, through my website www.rachelleheinemann.com, or email me directly at [email protected].