While women of all ages are exposed to unrealistic standards regarding weight and appearance, midlife women (aged 40+) are especially vulnerable to these ideas. At a time at which many women begin to notice universal body changes, they are exposed to messages that fat of any kind is unacceptable. Often, these messages globalize into the sense that the woman is unacceptable if she no longer

retains a perfect, youthful body. Most advertisements lack images of people who are older, further reinforcing a woman’s sense of invisibility. When adult women are pictured in advertisements, they rarely resemble “real” women, and are often depicted wearing shorts with a tennis racket or yoga mat in hand.

What causes or helps to maintain eating disorders?

Some themes include:

1. •Sociocultural and internal stresses to look or appear a certain way
   

2. •Feelings of not meeting these beauty standards
   

3. •Relational disconnections, such as marital concerns, not fitting in, or relocations
   

4. •Empty-nest syndrome
   

5. •Past or current traumas
   

6. •Eating disorder symptoms, resulting in even more isolation and disconnection
   

7. •The presence of dual addictions or a recent recovery from another substance, such as alcohol
   

8. •Confusion about treatment and where to get help
   

Women with midlife eating disorders may fit a number of categories. They may be experiencing an eating disorder for the first time, this may be a reoccurrence of a previous eating disorder, or they have struggled with eating disorders for many years. It is often difficult to find professionals who truly understand their needs.

Treatment generally involves assessing the function that the eating disorder serves, reconnecting women to positive role models and supports, learning healthy self-soothing skills, and changing thoughts and symptoms patterns.

Dr. Dalzell will:

1. •Meet you where you are in your eating disorder, which means collaborating on treatment goals
   

2. •Allow for self-growth that does not rely on body size or appearance
   

3. •Create an environment that honors all body sizes
   

4. •Enable people to resolve past and present issues connected to body image
   

If you are struggling with a midlife eating disorder, please contact Dr. Dalzell to schedule a confidential assessment.