Coronavirus Pandemic Prompts Increases in Eating Disorders Among Adults, Teenagers

Eating disorders affect about 9% of individuals across the globe. Data from the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders shows that eating disorders cause nearly 10,000 deaths in the United States annually and impact roughly 30 million individuals.

Physicians and other specialists have observed an increase in the numbers of patients seeking help for eating disorders, noting that the pandemic has prompted an increase in the number of eating disorders as well as relapses.

Jennifer Wildes, the director of the University of Chicago’s outpatient eating disorders program, stated that the program had recorded significant increases. Wildes, who is also an associate psychiatry professor at the institution, explained that some patients had to wait a few months to get treatment or medication, adding that the program was now offering treatment to about 100 individuals, which is almost double the amount it handled prior to the pandemic.

The Emily Program, another treatment program focused on eating disorders and offered through the University of Minnesota, is also experiencing a similar situation. Jillian Lampert, chief strategy officer for the program, is also a dietitian, and she stated that the number of calls made from individuals seeking treatments had increased to about 130 since the coronavirus pandemic started — more than double the amount of calls it received prior to the pandemic.

Lampert noted that isolation and anxiety were significant features of eating disorders, explaining that some patients resorted to binge eating as a pandemic coping mechanism. She added that other patients had restricted what they ate in a bid to not gain weight during the pandemic, which had resulted in anorexia.

The Emily Program provides outpatient and inpatient treatment programs in different states. Some treatments are again being offered inperson, after most sessions were switched to tele-therapy when the pandemic started. Lampert also noted that this increase was observed across the board — in young kids, teens, and adults of all races.

The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness has also observed an increase, with its CEO stating that since the start of this year, more than 7,000 individuals from different states and 32 nations had attended its support groups. The group has provided therapist-led virtual support groups during the pandemic.

Hospitalizations of patients suffering from complications caused by eating disorders have also increased, especially among teenage girls who suffer from anorexia. Anorexia is a common eating disorder that usually involves extreme thinness and restrictive eating habits. The disorder can cause organ damage and abnormally low blood pressure.

Health practitioners and parents are advised to talk to their patients and kids and ensure that eating behaviors remain healthy while monitoring any changes, as this will allow the affected individuals to seek treatment sooner.

Efforts are also underway by companies such as Tryp Therapeutics Inc. (CSE: TRYP) (OTCQB: TRYPF) to develop better formulations to address eating disorders and the neuropsychiatric issues underlying them.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Tryp Therapeutics Inc. (CSE: TRYP) (OTCQB: TRYPF) available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/TRYPF

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