Eating Disorders
The main goal of this class is to gain an academic introductory exposure to the class of mental disorders known as eating disorders, based on “big ideas” that have propelled the field forward and the latest scientific information. Eating disorders affect people from all walks of life and across the developmental lifespan. Although they are serious conditions with adverse impacts on the afflicted person’s health and wellbeing, many myths abound that impede understanding, treating, and preventing these disorders. The course will describe what constitutes an eating disorder; how eating disorders are diagnosed and treated; the barriers to seeking or receiving proper care and how to overcome them; and what approaches show greatest promise to reduce risk for developing an eating disorder.
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The main goal of this class is to gain an academic introductory exposure to the class of mental disorders known as eating disorders, based on “big ideas” that have propelled the field forward and the latest scientific information. Eating disorders affect people from all walks of life and across the developmental lifespan. Although they are serious conditions with adverse impacts on the afflicted person’s health and wellbeing, many myths abound that impede understanding, treating, and preventing these disorders. The course will describe what constitutes an eating disorder; how eating disorders are diagnosed and treated; the barriers to seeking or receiving proper care and how to overcome them; and what approaches show greatest promise to reduce risk for developing an eating disorder.
The main goal of this class is to gain an academic introductory exposure to the class of mental disorders known as eating disorders, based on “big ideas” that have propelled the field forward and the latest scientific information. Eating disorders affect people from all walks of life and across the developmental lifespan. Although they are serious conditions with adverse impacts on the afflicted person’s health and wellbeing, many myths abound that impede understanding, treating, and preventing these disorders. The course will describe what constitutes an eating disorder; how eating disorders are diagnosed and treated; the barriers to seeking or receiving proper care and how to overcome them; and what approaches show greatest promise to reduce risk for developing an eating disorder.
This course is designed for everyone interested in learning more about eating disorders – professionally and personally. Education about eating disorders is one of several recommended elements for anyone who is interested in helping others who are experiencing an eating disorder and for those pursuing recovery from an eating disorder. However, please note, this course is designed neither as a self-help program nor should it be used to replace treatment. If you are experiencing an eating disorder or wish to help others with an eating disorder, please access the course resources.
Professor Weissman gratefully acknowledges the valuable course design input provided by course consultants Kathleen Pike, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry at Columbia University and Caitlin Martin-Wagar, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology at University of Montana. She is also thankful to Isabella Pruscino for her contributions as course assistant.
Professor Weissman gives most of the lecture presentations. Additionally, featured experts representing researchers, clinicians, and individuals from around the world with lived experience present additional content on topics related to their expertise.
What you'll learn
In this course, you will learn the latest scientific knowledge about five areas of inquiry:
1) We will examine how eating disorders are defined and what characterizes each of the various eating disorders that are recognized in mental health classification systems. (“Classification”)
2) We will discover how eating disorders are identified and how common eating disorders are in the population and in demographic subgroups such as youth, girls versus boys, underrepresented population groups, etc. (“Epidemiology”)
3) We will explore theories and findings about the causes of eating disorders and why the question of why is at risk has no simple answer. (“Etiology”)
4) We will describe the most extensively studied treatments for eating disorders, including family-based therapy, cognitive behavioral treatment, and we will consider the role of medications to achieve recovery. (“Treatment”)
5) We will discover strategies for reducing the burden of suffering from eating disorders including how to overcome barriers to seeking or receiving proper care, how to prevent relapse, and what approaches show greatest promise to reduce risk for developing an eating disorder. (“Prevention”)
What's inside
Syllabus
Week 1 - Classification
Week 2 - Epidemiology
Week 3 - Etiology
Week 4 - Treatment
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Syllabus
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