Anorexia Nervosa does lead to infertility in some cases but many women continue to ovulate even in the absence of menstruation. Anorexia has the highest premature fatality rate of any illness. Some studies indicate that people with the disorder are up to 10 times more likely to die prematurely than those without the disorder. Characterized by extreme weight loss because of excessive dieting or exercise, a distorted body image and an intense fear of gaining weight. The illness is also on the rise among children. A study late last year from a leading eating disorders researcher shows the repercussions of such misconceptions for women with anorexia. A pregnancy for an anorexic woman could be dangerous for both her and the fetus. Many women falsely assume that if they are not menstruating or if they are menstruating irregularly, they are unable to conceive. Of the women with anorexia, 50 percent reported having an unplanned pregnancy while only about 19 percent of those without the disorder did. There are problems when an individual with low weight and anorexia does get pregnant because if they continue a pattern of poor nutrition and restrict their intake, they are not eating to support their own bodily function and the developing fetus. When women suffering from anorexia stop having their menstrual periods, many think they no longer have to worry about birth control. Many of the women, believed they could not have children even if they tried, thinking the anorexia had made them infertile. Anorexic women may have a higher percentage of unwanted pregnancies because of the lack of self-esteem that is common among women with the eating disorder. These women may think they don't need birth control when they actually can get pregnant. Read more ...

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What is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing. A big name for a relatively simple but highly effective method for dealing with trauma or what I like to call “emotionally stuck places.” It involves what is called bilateral stimulation of both hemispheres of the brain with a variety of methods. These methods can include eye movements to the left and right, an auditory tone in each ear or alternating vibrations in each hand. When I first started working with EMDR I was very skeptical that such a simple procedure would make any difference for my clients struggling with long standing issues around food, weight and body image. The results varied from incremental but profound shifts to complete turn-a-rounds. Here is the story of a client who experienced immediate results using EMDR.

Case Example: Using EMDR to address Pat’s Bulimia

(Name and story altered to protect identity)

Pat came to me because she wanted to stop what she described as “wrecking my body.” She was binging and purging everyday sometimes a few times a day. Pat was 35 years old. She had a job she enjoyed but as a newcomer to San Francisco she missed having a friendship circle. Because her evenings were consumed with binge/ purge episodes she had little time for developing a social life. In any case she usually felt too awful after an episode to even think about going out. Read more ...

At the age of 30, Jennifer Hicks found herself spinning into a dangerous habit of over exercising and under eating. Eventually she was diagnosed with an eating disorder - some called it anorexia, others called it exercise bulimia. After being put on a medical leave from work and seeing countless psychiatrists, she was finally diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. Discover Jennifer's incredible insights to healing and wellness, how she took charge of her own recovery and how nia dance transformed her body mind soul.