MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The WVU Medicine Eating Disorder Interdisciplinary Treatment (EDIT) Clinic encourages everyone to educate themselves on the signs, symptoms, and treatment options for eating disorders during Eating Disorders Awareness Week, observed Feb. 27 through March 5.
The need to know this information is greater than ever as Jean Someshwar, M.D., medical director of the EDIT program, said research has shown a sharp increase in cases since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Some studies show the number of documented cases has doubled,” she explained. “Isolation is associated with most known eating disorders and was something we all experienced during that time.”
The exact number of people impacted by these disorders is unknown as many suffering do not seek treatment.
At the EDIT Clinic, providers embrace a “three-legged stool” approach to treatment.
“Our team consists of medical providers, behavioral medicine clinicians, and dietitians,” Dr. Someshwar said.
These three components create a foundation for treatment and are available at Healthy Minds – Research Ridge located on Collins Ferry Road in Morgantown with telemedicine visits available for those who need them.
According to Matthew Bunner, L.P.C., lead clinical therapist at WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, and Helenia D. Sedoski, M.S., R.D., L.D., clinical outpatient dietitian, this centralized location provides benefits for both patients and providers.
“Collaborating with our integrated team and utilizing tandem appointments improves outcomes for our most vulnerable patients as they recover from their disordered eating,” Bunner said.
“When patients can uncover a food-related belief in therapy, I am able to help provide the nutrition science around being able to include that food,” Sedoski added. “The collaboration of the Clinic team allows me to see a bigger impact for patients and their caregivers.”
The EDIT Clinic sees pediatric patients through age 25. Though most outside of the medical community think of eating disorders affecting mostly adolescents, Someshwar noted that issues can persist or develop well into adulthood.
“Although many common threads are seen for which we follow evidence-based treatment with a team approach, we recognize that all of our patients are unique and need individualized approaches to personalize care,” she said.
For more information, visit https://childrens.wvumedicine.org/services/specialty-care/behavioral-medicine-and-psychiatry or call 855-WVU-CARE to schedule an appointment.