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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
Sometimes we need to talk about the tough stuff. And eating disorders are one of those things. I didn't realize that 10 million women and 1 million men in the U.S. have some form of eating disorder? It's on the rise across all sectors of society, where it used to be a disease of the affluent. When you stop and think about it, in the last 20 years there's been a cultural shift toward over valuation of appearance and admiring famous people who project perfect images.
This is the seriousness these types of conditions present. They affect all systems of the body and are the most deadly of any mental disorder. They recently treated a young teen at Avalon Hills who had bones similar to an 80-year-old because of how advanced her anorexia was. She is recovering but will sustain permanent bone damage.
Dr. Tera Lensgrav (lens-grave)-Benson, director of patient services, says Avalon Hills Residential Eating Disorder Program in Cache Valley is designed to help women, both teenagers and adults, address issues related to eating disorders. Residential means these women have treatment and support around the clock.
One of the difficult things about treating eating disorders is they're ego syntonic, meaning the people who have them don't necessarily want to get rid of them, so that makes the stakes even higher for the Avalon Hills team. But, Dr. Lensgrav-Benson says they're up for it.
Most patients come to Avalon Hills Residential Eating Disorder Program for a period of five to six months. They work with the team to get to the root of why they developed the disorder and take steps to reach the road to recovery. Avalon Hills treats to outcome, which relates to the patient's ability to sustain wellness at the level of care available to them in their home community. The team at Avalon Hills works to develop long-term relationships with the patient and their family. Despite the seriousness of these conditions, Dr. Lensgrav-Benson says it's invigorating to watch patients have success.
For more information, visit avalonhills.org.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
Avalon Hills Residential Eating Disorder Program With centers in Petersboro and Paradise, Utah 1-800-330-0490 www.avalonhills.org
