For many providers, the term “eating disorders” suggests a couple of somewhat familiar disorders like bulimia or anorexia. But, like with many things, the category is more complex and varied than that, not only in the types of disordered eating that can happen, but also the complex contributions from environment, social influences, physiology, crises such as the pandemic, and many other influences. So many providers, especially those of us that specialize in other things or are more generalist in approach, feel ill-prepared to assess or even ask about eating disorders in their clients, much less how to address these issues. And yet, eating disorders can be very disruptive to military readiness, ability to accomplish the mission, and function effectively in various domains of their lives. Fortunately, Dr. Deborah Glasofer shares with our hosts information about training opportunities being developed to help fill some of these skills gaps. Join us for a fascinating discussion about eating disorders, leveling the playing field, and increasing access to care for clients with ED challenges. Get PreparED with us!

Dr. Glasofer is an Associate Professor of Clinical Medical Psychology (in psychiatry) at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and clinical psychologist at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. She has been involved in a variety of psychotherapy development studies for eating disorders in adults, and has an interest in enhancing the training of healthcare providers and trainees in principles of eating disorders assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Within Columbia's Department of Psychiatry, she provides instruction to residents in cognitive behavioral therapy (for mood, anxiety, and eating disorders) and serves as a team member of CopeColumbia, a multidisciplinary group that formed during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide peer support and enhance wellbeing among healthcare providers and hospital staff. Dr. Glasofer enjoys writing for the popular press on topics related to mental health and has authored several books on eating disorders for clinicians, academics, and the general public.

Resources:

1. https://prepared.nyspi.org/ - PreparED Eating Disorders Education website (32:05)
2. https://nceedus.org/ - National Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders (32:12)
3. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org - National Eating Disorders Association (32:20)
4. Overcoming Binge Eating by Christopher Fairburn (32:46)
5. Help Your Teenager Beat an Eating Disorder, 2 Ed by James Lock and Daniel Le Grange (33:04)
6. Eating Disorders: What Everyone Needs to Know by B. Timothy Walsh, Evelyn Attia, and Deborah R. Glasofer (33:22)
7. CDP Presents - Eating Disorders - General and Military-Relevant Considerations: https://deploymentpsych.org/Eating-Disorders-Archive

Calls-to-action:

1. Consider adding eating disorders as a category to inquire about at intake.
2. Check out the resources above.

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