COVID19, the pandemic which may exemplify a need for harm-reduction approaches to eating disorders: a reflection from a person living with an eating disorder

doi:10.1186/s40337-020-00306-3

. 2020 May 31:8:26.

doi: 10.1186/s40337-020-00306-3. eCollection 2020.

COVID19, the pandemic which may exemplify a need for harm-reduction approaches to eating disorders: a reflection from a person living with an eating disorder

Margaret Janse van Rensburg¹

Affiliations

PMID: 32509307
PMCID: PMC7261258
DOI: 10.1186/s40337-020-00306-3

Free PMC article

COVID19, the pandemic which may exemplify a need for harm-reduction approaches to eating disorders: a reflection from a person living with an eating disorder

Margaret Janse van Rensburg. J Eat Disord. 2020.

Free PMC article

. 2020 May 31:8:26.

doi: 10.1186/s40337-020-00306-3. eCollection 2020.

Author

Margaret Janse van Rensburg¹

Affiliation

¹ Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada.

PMID: 32509307
PMCID: PMC7261258
DOI: 10.1186/s40337-020-00306-3

Abstract

This reflective piece, written by a woman with an eating disorder aims to identify the impact of COVID-19 on persons living with eating disorders and provide a social justice approach as a resolution. The author identifies that eating disorder behaviors may be the only coping tool available for many persons with eating disorders during this time of uncertainty. While she acknowledges the risks associated with eating disorder behaviors, she identifies that this time of uncertainty may be a time to embrace harm-reduction in approaching the health and wellness of persons with eating disorders.

Keywords: Harm reduction; Reflection; Strengths-based approach.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interestsN/A

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References

1. Arcelus J, Mitchell AJ, Wales J, Nielsen S. Mortality rates in patients with anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders: a meta-analysis of 36 studies. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2011;68(7):724–731. doi: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2011.74. - DOI - PubMed
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1. Easter MM. “Not all my fault”: genetics, stigma, and personal responsibility for women with eating disorders. Soc Sci Med. 2012;75(8):1408–1416. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.05.042. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
1. Logan DE, Marlatt AG. Harm reduction therapy: a practice-friendly review of research. J Clin Psychol. 2010;66(2):201–214. doi: 10.1002/jclp.20669. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
1. Morgan JF. Eating disorders and gynecology: knowledge and attitudes among clinicians. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 1999;78(3):233–239. doi: 10.1080/j.1600-0412.1999.780311.x. - DOI - PubMed

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[1] Arcelus J, Mitchell AJ, Wales J, Nielsen S. Mortality rates in patients with anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders: a meta-analysis of 36 studies. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2011;68(7):724–731. doi: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2011.74. - DOI - PubMed

[2] Arcelus J, Mitchell AJ, Wales J, Nielsen S. Mortality rates in patients with anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders: a meta-analysis of 36 studies. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2011;68(7):724–731. doi: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2011.74. - DOI - PubMed

[3] Crow SJ. Eating disorders and risk of death. Am J Psychiatry. 2013;170(8):824–825. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.13050654. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[4] Crow SJ. Eating disorders and risk of death. Am J Psychiatry. 2013;170(8):824–825. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.13050654. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[5] Easter MM. “Not all my fault”: genetics, stigma, and personal responsibility for women with eating disorders. Soc Sci Med. 2012;75(8):1408–1416. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.05.042. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[6] Easter MM. “Not all my fault”: genetics, stigma, and personal responsibility for women with eating disorders. Soc Sci Med. 2012;75(8):1408–1416. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.05.042. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[7] Logan DE, Marlatt AG. Harm reduction therapy: a practice-friendly review of research. J Clin Psychol. 2010;66(2):201–214. doi: 10.1002/jclp.20669. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[8] Logan DE, Marlatt AG. Harm reduction therapy: a practice-friendly review of research. J Clin Psychol. 2010;66(2):201–214. doi: 10.1002/jclp.20669. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[9] Morgan JF. Eating disorders and gynecology: knowledge and attitudes among clinicians. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 1999;78(3):233–239. doi: 10.1080/j.1600-0412.1999.780311.x. - DOI - PubMed

[10] Morgan JF. Eating disorders and gynecology: knowledge and attitudes among clinicians. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 1999;78(3):233–239. doi: 10.1080/j.1600-0412.1999.780311.x. - DOI - PubMed

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COVID19, the pandemic which may exemplify a need for harm-reduction approaches to eating disorders: a reflection from a person living with an eating disorder

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COVID19, the pandemic which may exemplify a need for harm-reduction approaches to eating disorders: a reflection from a person living with an eating disorder

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