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Putting a Career on Hold to Seek Eating Disorder Treatment in Middle-Age
Contributor: Jennifer Rollin, MSW, LGSW, writer for Eating Disorder Hope
A common misperception regarding eating disorders-is that they only impact Caucasian, female, adolescents. However, eating disorders do not discriminate based upon factors such as age, race, social class, or gender.
According to experts, eating disorders are on the rise among middle-aged individuals and may also present with some unique challenges in regards to this population. [1] Holly Grishkat, Ph.d., explained that the rate of eating disorders among middle-aged individuals increased by 42 percent from 2001 to 2010. [2]
Additionally, Cynthia Bulik, Ph.D., director of the Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, “found that 13 percent of American women 50 or older experience symptoms of an eating disorder; 60 percent report that their concerns about weight and shape negatively affect their lives; and 70 percent are trying to lose weight.” [3]
Midlife Stressors
Stressors impacting middle-aged individuals, which could contribute to the development or maintenance of an eating disorder include, children leaving the home, career stress, marital discord, divorce, and caring for elderly parents.
Bulik exemplified this point when she explained that some people relapsed in midlife due to a stressor such as divorce, death, or infidelity, whereas others have struggled since childhood. [4]
Additionally, middle-aged individuals also may be faced with unique challenges when seeking treatment for their eating disorders.
For instance, Mary George, a spokesman for Beat stated, “Older women may also feel they’re somehow to blame for having a ‘girl’s disease’, making it harder for them to seek or accept treatment, even though they were probably always disposed to developing an eating disorder.” [5]
Putting Careers on Hold
Another major challenge is that seeking treatment for an eating disorder may require a middle-aged individual to put their career on hold. According to Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC, Present of Eating Disorder Hope, some of the primary concerns that professionals who were considering seeking residential treatment for an eating disorder reported included the following:
- Should I share this with my clients or coworkers?
- Will this impact my career in some way?
- Will my coworkers, manager, and clients think that I am unstable or judge me as being “weak? [6]
If you are deciding whether to put your career on hold in order to receive treatment for your eating disorder, the above concerns are definitely legitimate. For instance, there are important factors to consider when contemplating taking a leave of absence from work to seek eating disorder treatment, such as the financial impact, as well as potential career ramifications.
You can determine how much you feel comfortable disclosing to your colleagues surrounding your decision. Additionally, it is possible that some may judge you for your decision to seek treatment-however we cannot control other’s opinions of us. Further, the decision to seek treatment is not a sign of weakness-rather seeking help when you are struggling is truly a sign of strength.
Each individual’s circumstances are different, therefore no one decision is correct for every person. However, I would argue that if you are financially able to put your career on hold to seek treatment for your eating disorder-it might be one of the best gifts that you can give yourself.
Yes, putting a career on hold to seek treatment is taking a huge risk. However, when compared to the alternative of possibly living the rest of your life struggling with an eating disorder-it seems like a risk that is worth taking.
Never Too Late for Recovery
When you are intensely struggling with an eating disorder, it can become all-consuming, numb you to your emotions, and often becomes your primary relationship.
Recovery will enable you to reclaim your true sense of identity, strengthen your relationships, experience your emotions, and to discover your passions. No matter how long you have been struggling, or what age you are, full recovery is possible-it is never too late.
Margo Maine, Ph.d, a clinical psychologist and author exemplified this point when she stated that many times older women feel hopeless and filled with same due to having struggled with an eating disorder for a long time. However, Mained stated, “I’ve seen great things happen in people who have sought help in their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond.” [7]
Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!!
What advice do you have for someone putting their career on hold for eating disorder treatment? Have you had this experience, what worked well and what didn’t?
A
bout the author: Jennifer Rollin, MSW, LGSW is a therapist, body-image activist, and writer who specializes in working with adolescents, body image concerns, survivors of trauma, and mood disorders. Jennifer is a blogger for The Huffington Post and Psychology Today, as well as a contributing writer for Eating Disorder Hope. For body-positive, self-love, inspiration, “like” her on Facebook at Jennifer Rollin, MSW, LGSW.
References:
[1]: Sheridan, M. (2012). Eating disorders in middle age bring unique challenges, treatments. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/02/eating-disorders-middle-age_n_1313791.html[2]: Sheridan, M. (2012). Eating disorders in middle age bring unique challenges, treatments. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/02/eating-disorders-middle-age_n_1313791.html
[3]: Arnold, C. (2013). Eating disorders in women over 50. Retrieved from http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-08-2013/midlife-eating-disorders.html
[4]: Bulik, C. (2012). Midlife eating disorders: Your journey to recovery. Retrieved from http://www.cynthiabulik.com/books/midlife-eating-disorders/
[5]: Burstall, E. (2013). ‘I got anorexia at age 38:’ How anorexia can strike at any age. Retrieved from http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/386854/I-got-anorexia-at-38-How-anorexia-can-strike-at-any-age
[6]: Ekern, J. (2015). Putting a career on hold to receive eating disorder treatment. Retrieved from https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/putting-a-career-on-hold-to-receive-eating-disorder-treatment
[7}: Arnold, C. (2013). Eating disorders in women over 50. Retrieved from http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-08-2013/midlife-eating-disorders.html
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on January 31, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com
The EatingDisorderHope.com editorial team comprises experienced writers, editors, and medical reviewers specializing in eating disorders, treatment, and mental and behavioral health.
