Eating Disorders and the COVID-19 Pandemic
It’s easy to see the myriad of ways that the world has changed over the past year. While the COVID-19 pandemic added new stressors to each and every day and increased the need for therapy, it also improved our access to therapy, thanks to the growing popularity of Telehealth or virtual appointments. In today’s post, we’re going to consider how the pandemic increased the occurrence of eating disorders as well as how virtual therapy helps patients manage symptoms and receive proper treatment in a socially-distant and safe manner.
How the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted the Prevalence of Eating Disorders
According to a recent article in The Guardian, data shows that a rising number of people are struggling with anorexia or bulimia. The increase is a result of patients with existing disorders who have deteriorated or relapsed since the start of the pandemic as well as patients who are developing eating disorders for the first time. At the end of 2020 (October, November, and December), there was a fourfold increase in the number of children and young people waiting for urgent treatment compared to the same months in 2019. Adult numbers are similarly rising, and treatment services are struggling to keep up as a result of both underfunding and “reduced capacity due to pandemic and infection control.”
Given the current state of the world, this increase is, unfortunately, not surprising. Eating disorders thrive in isolation and worsen with fear, stress, and/or anxiety — all feelings many of us are dealing with as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. There’s also a surge in weight gain due to limited physical activity and time spent outside. Additionally, the pandemic and its resulting changes to both everyday routines and home lives have caused many people to feel out of control, something they try to regain through diet restrictions and/or exercise regimes.
If you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, please seek help. The National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) Awareness Week is inviting Every Body to Have a Seat at the Table from February 22nd through 28th. Their goal is to educate the public, spread a message of hope, and share lifesaving resources. To learn more about the efforts and get involved, click here.
The Importance of Telehealth Appointments
Telehealth appointments allow us to use video conferencing technology as a way to provide healthcare services. While this method of therapy has been around for years, it’s become increasingly popular over the past 12 months, allowing patients to continue to seek help despite local lockdowns or social distancing mandates.
Thanks to our telehealth appointments — available at every location and exclusively at our Phoenix, Arizona office — you can schedule an appointment with any of our providers. However, we cannot see patients who live in the red states on the linked map due to dietetics licensure statutes. It’s also important to note that we cannot provide the same level of care without the completion of an in-person metabolic test.
To talk to a professional about eating disorder treatment and recovery, please reach out to our staff or schedule an appointment at The Kahm Clinic.