Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About
Pekin, IL (PRWEB) December 02, 2015 -- The International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals Foundation (iaedp™) kicks off its 30th annual Symposium on February 17 - 21 at the Omni on Amelia Island, Florida, featuring nationally recognized professionals addressing new treatments and research concerning eating disorders. Margo Maine, PhD, FAED, CEDS, a clinical psychologist who has specialized in eating disorders and related issues for nearly 30 years, is among the noted keynote faculty providing an extraordinary instructive presentation during the five-day annual gathering of leading eating disorder professionals.
As part of her discussion, “It’s Time to Talk about It! Invisible Women: Treating Eating Disorders at Midlife and Beyond,” Dr. Maine will discuss that age does not immunize women from eating disorders. In the past, it was believed that body satisfaction increased over a woman’s life, but current research notes that 65 percent of midlife women express significant body distress and weight preoccupation.
According to Dr. Maine, despite the historical belief that eating disorders and body image issues belong to adolescents and young women, research points out that 13 percent of adult women struggle with eating disorder symptoms. Breast cancer affects 12 percent but gets far more attention from the medical community, media and general public. Dr. Maine believes that many adult women hide their disorder effectively, while others are triggered into relapse when facing midlife stressors.
“Many women generally are ashamed and ambivalent about seeking help, and while midlife women often have more obstacles to treatment, they can also bring maturity and motivation to their challenge. As more women seek treatment at midlife and beyond, it’s time to talk about it,” said Dr. Maine.
Dr. Maine’s presentation will be a panel discussion with well-known industry professional, Ibbits Newhall, handling the role of talk-show host to interview guests, which include Dr. Maine, Karen Samuels, PhD, and Mary Tantillo, PhD, PMHCNS-BC, FAED, authors of the article, “Eating Disorders in Adult Women: Biopsychosocial, Developmental and Clinical Considerations.”
“With a significant number of women over 50 exhibiting eating disorder symptoms, Drs. Maine, Samuels and Tantillo offer Symposium attendees a unique perspective to better understand what happens to many women during this mid-life stage,” said Bonnie Harken, Managing Director of The iaedp Foundation. “It’s critical for those of us in the field to recognize what triggers EDs later in life, and what can be done to help those who are suffering.”
About iaedp: The International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals Foundation provides education and training standards to an international and multidisciplinary group of various healthcare treatment providers and helping professions. For registration information for the 2016 iaedp Symposium, visit iaedp.com.
Susan Lomelino, iaedp news, http://iaedp.com, +1 2145643285, [email protected]
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