DO YOU NEED HELP WITH AN EATING DISORDER?
Are you preoccupied by concerns about food, weight, and body image? Is your attitude toward food getting in the way of other important facets of your life? Help is available at Penn State. Anorexia and Bulimia are common problems among college women. While these are distinct disorders, they have certain symptoms in common, including:
Penn State offers confidential, specialized help to students struggling with eating disorders. Many different services are available to provide you with the best possible treatment for your eating disorder. While you can get help through any of the services described belo, other services may be used concurrently as appropriate. Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) 501 Student Health Center (814) 863-0395 The Center for Counseling and Psychological Services provides comprehensive psychological and psychiatric services for full-time Penn State students. Initial Interview Your first appointment at the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services gives you the opportunity to meet privately with a member of the professional staff. During this private consultation, the counselor asks questions so that he or she can have a better understanding of you and yur struggles with food. At the end of the intake session, the counselor works with you to develop a treatment plan and determine which services can best help you. Many people on the staff are specially trained in the area of eating disorders. Treatment plans often involve a referral to one of CAPS' eating disorders groups (described below) or in some cases, other forms of counseling (e.g. short-term counseling at CAPS, or a referral elsewhere for longer-term individual psychotherapy). Eating Disorders Groups Many students with eating disorders have been helped by participating in one of the eating disorders groups that have been run at CAPS over the past 15 years. One or two members of the CAPS professional staff typically lead esting disorders groups. Each group consists of approximately 6 to 8 members in addition to the co-leaders. Groups meet weekly for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. The focus of the group is to help you regain a positive and healthy attitude toward food and toward yourself and to explore other aspects of your life as they relate to the eating disorder. Groups can give you support in the struggle, since all group member share similar concerns. In addition, leaders provvide useful information and guideance as needed. Thenmes often explored in these groups include: Groups run for 1 semester with the option of continuing for additional semesters. How to use CAPS Services To schedule an intake appointment or to join one of the eating disorders groups, please contact the receptionist at CAPS at (814) 863-0395 or stop be 501 Student Health Center. Indicate that you are interested in an intake appointment or in one of the eating disorders groups. The receptionist will set up an intake appointment for you with the appropriate person. CAPS services are available without charge to full-time students. 
If you have an eating disorder, you may run the risk of serious medical problems, such as disturbances of heart function, stomach and intestinal injury, and critical imbalances of body fluids and minerals. UHS clinicians can assist in evaluating an indevidual with an eating disorder. Evaluation may include a medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. Your provider can detect any physical problems that require special care and may want to monitor your physical condition. To Use Services The most effective way to use UHS is to choose one clinician as your primary care provider and to establish a relationship similar to that which you may have with a family physician. You should choose a staff person whom you like and with whom you feel comfortable. It is to your advantage to see this person, especially if you have a recurring or chronic problem, such as an eating disorder. When yhou schedule an appointment, please do not hesitate to ask to see your personal provider. Full-time undergraduate and graduate students and spouses enrolled in the Student Injury Sickness Insurance Plan are eligible for ongoing medical attention renered by health care providers at University Health Services. You should bring your ID card with you to validate your eligibility. Fees are charged for clinician visits and such as X-rays, laboratory tests, and prescriptions. University Health Services (UHS) phone numbers
301 Student Health Center- (814) 863-7414 The Nutrition Clinic provides individualized nutrition counseling for students with eating disorders and has a wide variety of educational materials, for topics ranging from selecting meals in a fast-food restaurant to making healthy choices in the dining hall. Nutrition Clinic Services are provided through the joint cooperation of the Nutrition Department and University Health Services. How to Use the Nutrition Clinic To schedule an appointment, contact the Nutrition Clinic at (814) 863-7414 and indicate that you are interested in nutrition counseling. You will be asked to complete a history form. The Registered Dietitian will review this information and you will be contacted to set up an initial appointment to meet privatley with a nutrition counselor. Nutrition counseling is available free of charge. Initial Appointment During your initial appointment, the counselor will gather additional information about your eating and exercise habits, answer your questions related to nutrition and health and discuss your nutrition related concerns. This information will be evaluated with you, and your counselor will make recommendations to help you develop a plan that meets your nutritional needs and fits into your lifestyle. The initial appointment lasts approximately 1 hour.
Many students have found that meeting with a nutrition counselor on a regular basis has helped them cope with their eating problems. On-going nutrition counseling is arranged on an individual basis and appointments are approximately 1/2 hour in length.
HealthWorks Peer Education Program 201 Student Health Center- (814) 863-2500 |
Updated June 5, 2008