With the confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the rise all across the United States, health officials continue to encourage people young and old to practice social distancing, limit unnecessary social interactions and wash their hands. As of this writing, 17 states have implemented stay-at-home orders, which means that more than 50% of the U.S. population will be officially urged to stay home.
According to experts, people with a history of eating disorders or patterns of disordered eating may be uniquely vulnerable right now.
Here are some possible symptoms of disordered eating related to the Coronavirus pandemic:
- Rationing food could be a trigger for calorie restriction
- Stockpiling or hoarding food could lead to binge eating behaviors
- Eating to ‘boost your immune system’ could fuel orthorexia, or an obsession with ‘clean’ eating
- Being unable to go to the gym could prompt panic around exercise, body image, and weight gain
- Symptoms of disordered eating also include obsessive thoughts about food, weight, or exercise
If you notice warning signs in yourself or a loved one, reach out for help. Many treatment facilities are now offering telemedicine to help patients maintain routines and continuity of treatment. The National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) offers many resources for people to connect with virtual support, as well as a map of treatment centers across the U.S.
If you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder and you are being denied benefits by your insurance, please call Kantor & Kantor for a free consultation or use our online contact form. We understand, and we can help.
