Press Releases
2/7/2008 – Timberline Knolls Praises Miss America's Efforts to Raise Awareness of Eating Disorders
From Kim Dennis, M.D., Timberline Knolls
CHICAGO (February 7, 2008) - Timberline Knolls, and the mental health community as a whole, laud recently crowned Miss America Kirsten Haglund for disclosing her history of anorexia. Haglund, a Michigan native who was crowned two weeks ago, was diagnosed with anorexia at the age of 16. Now 19, Haglund is in recovery and will spend her year as Miss America actively raising awareness on the dangers and prevalence of eating disorders.
Haglund has shared her story at the risk of facing the stigma too often associated with eating disorders and other emotional disorders. Through her example and efforts, she will help many Americans suffering from eating disorders feel less alone and more willing to seek treatment.
It is estimated that nearly 11 million Americans have an eating disorder - mostly adolescent and young adult women. And because of the secretiveness and shame associated with eating disorders, this number is likely much larger. The issues that surround eating disorders are complex, and so are the solutions. It is critical that parents, family, friends, and educators recognize the signs of eating disorders and understand that they are real and treatable illnesses.
Some characteristics or family traits associated with eating disorders, specifically anorexia include:
- excessive concern within the family with outward appearances, including body shape and weight
- parental focus on perfection and performance, such as harsh criticism for mistakes and inappropriate ways of dealing with conflict
- family history of sexual abuse
- strained relationship between husband and wife
- arbitrary role boundaries where children are encouraged to act more responsible than their age should permit and to take on roles or responsibilities for which they are psychologically ill-prepared
ABOUT TIMBERLINE KNOLLS
Timberline Knolls specializes in helping women and adolescent girls 12 and older, offering treatment for complex co-occurring disorders that can include self-injury behavior (SIB), substance abuse, eating and other affective disorders. For more information on Timberline Knolls and the services offered visit www.timberlineknolls.com.
Kimberly Dennis, M.D. is the Associate Medical Director at Timberline Knolls. She is a member of the American Medical Association, Academy for Eating Disorders, the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry and the American Society for Addiction Medicine. She is published in the area of gender differences in the development of psychopathology, and has done research on the use of medication with family-based therapy for adolescents with anorexia nervosa.
ABOUT MISS AMERICA
According to missamerica.org, the Miss America Organization is one of the nation's leading achievement programs and the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance. This assistance is not just for the handful of young women who become Miss America, but is available to the over 12,000 young women who compete in the state and local competitions as well.
More information including a full media kit and photographs can be found at www.missamericapressroom.com
Media Contacts:
Courtney Smith
Ariel Herr
Michael Burns & Associates
214-521-8596
csmith@mbapr.com
acherr@mbapr.com