By: Laura Collins

Laura Collins — Fri, 02 Dec 2005 12:32:33 +0000

As a parent of an anorexic I think the simplicity of the Newsweek piece is a godsend. Although those who follow the research might find the content unremarkable it is the parents out there that really need the news. Doctors aren’t telling them, therapists are rarely telling them, and most of the media about eating disorders is telling them the opposite.
Newsweek has done a revolutionary thing: synthesized the science for the people who really need it.
Parents are still being blamed for their poor parenting – not for their genes – when they bring their ill children for treatment. The message “No One to Blame” is the first step toward getting effective evidence-based care.
Laura Collins
http://www.eatingwithyouranorexic.com

By: colin

colin — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 20:33:45 +0000

The fact that anorexia/bulimia is connected with anxiety and obsession is nothing new; comorbidity of anorexia/bulimia with depression or OCD is common so it makes sense that it is the result of an underlying predisposition.
The findings of a disturbed serotonin system is interesting and it is a shame—though not a surprise—that newsweek simplified the findings to the point of meaninglessness. As Mind Hacks mentioned, the serotonin system is complex and does not easily reduce itself to simple descriptions.
Another point that stood out for me was: if they are using starvation as a form of self medication to decrease serotonin then why are SSRIs, which increase serotonin, found to be an effective treatment? (Note: SSRIs are effective for treating bulimia during an episode. However the malnourished state of anorexics makes SSRIs almost useless until after they have begun to eat again; at which point, SSRIs are useful to prevent relapse.)
Interestingly, I found another study which points toward serotonin disturbances only being connected with only certain types of anorexia.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=30238

Comments on: Newsweek on society, neuroscience and anorexia

By: Laura Collins

By: colin