The Associated Press is running a great piece on the increasing amount of older women (30+) seeking treatment for anorexia. Experts believe that it is likely due to increasing pressure on women as well as greater awareness. Furthermore, women in this age group seem to fall into three categories:

Some have had an eating disorder for years. Others had a disorder in remission that resurfaced because of new stress in life, such as a divorce or loss of a parent. A third group, the smallest of the three, includes women who develop an eating disorder late in life.

All of this is very logical since disordered eating is often in response to significant stress, and middle-aged women may experience new levels of stress that either bring symptoms back and/or other coping strategies break down. Hopefully articles like this continue to encourage people to find help.

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 23 Jul 2007
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.