Sara Mehta “In the News Assignment” 2 #251074567 In The News Assignment 2 SARA MEHTA Student # 251074567 Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by a persistent restriction of food intake, leading to significantly low body weight and bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as purging, fasting, or excessive exercise. An article from CBC news discusses the significant increase in wait times for eating disorder treatment in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. It cites a report from the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC), which found that some Canadians are waiting up to a year for treatment, while others are not receiving any treatment at all. The report also notes that many people with eating disorders have been impacted by pandemic-related stressors, such as social isolation, financial instability, and changes in routine. There is mention of experiences of healthcare providers who are struggling to provide adequate care to people with eating disorders during the pandemic. According to the article, many providers have had to adjust their practices in order to comply with pandemic-related restrictions, which has made it more difficult to provide timely and effective care. In Chapter 14 of the textbook (pg489-504), the authors discuss various types of eating disorders. They provide an overview of the diagnostic criteria for each disorder, as outlined in the DSM-5, the prevalence, course, various theories, models, and outcomes of these disorders. They note the most effective treatment for eating disorders often involves a multidisciplinary approach. One of which is CBT which focuses on identifying and changing negative patterns of thinking and behavior. CBT has been found to be effective in treating both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. A second approach is family-based therapy which involves the family in the treatment process and aims to help parents become the Sara Mehta “In the News Assignment” 2 #251074567 primary agents of change in their child's eating disorder. FBT has been found to be effective in treating anorexia nervosa. They also discuss pharmacotherapy and the importance of early intervention in the treatment of eating disorders. Some of the limitations of the CBC article include limited data as article relies on data from a single spreadsheet obtained through a freedom of information request. This means that the data may not be representative of wait times across Canada, and there may be limitations to the accuracy or completeness of the data. There is also no expert opinion as it does not include any commentary or analysis from eating disorder experts or healthcare professionals, which could provide additional insights into the potential causes and solutions for longer wait times. However, some of the strengths of the article include a personal perspective as the article includes a first-person account of an individual's experience waiting for eating disorder treatment during the pandemic, which can help to humanize the issue and provide insight into the emotional and psychological toll of delayed treatment. It is timely and relevant as it addresses a pressing issue related to the impact of the pandemic on mental health care in Canada and sheds light on the challenges facing individuals seeking eating disorder treatment during the pandemic, and may help to raise awareness among the public and policymakers about the need for increased resources and support for mental health care. Overall, I advocate for lesser wait times for individuals who have any mental health disorder. For eating disorders in particular, people may experience a range of physical symptoms, such as extreme weight loss, electrolyte imbalances, dental problems, gastrointestinal issues, heart irregularities, and organ damage, which can lead to long-term health problems or death. To avoid this and come up with a solution I believe Canada should hire professionals from other countries to do online sessions as a short term resolution. Sara Mehta “In the News Assignment” 2 #251074567 REFERENCES Mash, E., & Wolfe, D. (2019). Abnormal child psychology (6th ed). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. Dubois, Stephaniee. “Wait Times for Eating Disorder Treatment in Canada Grow during the Pandemic | CBC News.” CBCnews, CBC/Radio Canada, 13 Aug. 2022, https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/wait-times-for-eating-disorder-treatment-in-canadagrow-during-the-pandemic-1.6533635.
