ERC & Pathlight In the News

During the summer months, there's often an added pressure from social media and the news to be "beach body ready." In this Denver 9News segment, Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar shares tips for navigating negative body image when you're continually surrounded by diet culture messaging and stressed how important it is to "live your life" despite how you might feel about your body.

Despite the stereotype that eating disorders only occur in women, about one in three people struggling with an eating disorder are male. In this WUSA 9 segment, ERC Bethesda Clinical Director Rachel Engelhart discusses "bigorexia" -- what it is; how to spot it; and how to get help.

Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar is featured in this Psychiatric Times article examining the comorbidity of eating disorders and addiction and the potential impact and complexity of using GLP-1 agonist medications in treatment. In the article, Dr. Wassenaar shares concerns about using GLP-1As and their impact on the eating disorder community: "GLP-1 receptor agonists work in the brain to suppress appetite and increase feelings of fullness, which is how they act for individuals who take them to manage their type 2 diabetes. We are beginning to notice patients who are vulnerable to disordered eating and/or relapse of their eating disorder following the initiation of GLP-1 receptor agonist medications."

In this CW39 Houston segment, Dr. Deborah Michel discusses eating disorders in men -- knowing the signs when you might be struggling and how to access help. The segment also discusses the rise in eating disorders among men and the stigma surrounding men and eating disorders.

Popsugar writer Emilia Benton discusses the problematic practice of some physicians prescribing GLP-1 agonist medications, like Ozempic, to treat eating disorders. In this article, Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar shares her concerns and the impact of GLP-1 agonist medications on the eating disorder community. "Eating disorders are one of the most fatal mental illnesses; anorexia specifically has the hightest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. This makes prescribing a medication that can potentially trigger disordered eating behavior all the more concerning," said Dr. Wassenaar.

Kris Ramos is a featured guest in this Authority Magazine / Medium piece about supporting a loved one with an eating disorder. Ramos not only shares important tips, but also offers words of hope for those reading who might be struggling; strategies for building resilience; and ideas for individuals, corporations, communities, and leaders to help address issues around eating disorders.

Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar is featured in this informative Denver 9News segment which raises awareness about Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). Here, Dr. Wassenaar shares when "picky eating" in children is more than "just a phase" and could signal they have an eating disorder and outlines signs/symptoms of ARFID; how caregivers can support their children; and where to get help.

Leah Young recently shared her perspective on "euphoric recall" -- when someone recounts a negative experience in a positive light -- with HuffPost writer Ashley Broadwater. The article examines what euphoric recall is and how it happens. Young notes, “the same part of the brain that is stimulated during a pleasant experience is also activated when we’re remembering it. We can then minimize experienced consequences, exaggerate the positives and justify any associated costs." The article also provides helpful information about responding to and addressing euphoric recall.

A little stress can be good for us, but too much stress, or chronic stress, can lead to health issues like anxiety, high blood pressure and even a weakened immune system, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.