Film tells the story of a young woman who lost her life to an eating disorder.
When many people think of eating disorders, they often think only of anorexia nervosa, because the most common characteristic of the disease – immoderate food consumption, is obvious to detect.
But eating disorders like bulimia, which is characterized by binging and purging, are also common, and can be just as dangerous to one’s health.
To call attention to the consequences of eating disorders, the documentary film, “Someday Melissa, the Story of an Eating Disorder, Loss and Hope,” will be shown at Holyoke Community College on March 6 at 11 a.m.
The film, in recognition of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week Feb. 24 through March 2, is about Melissa Avrin, who died in 2009 after battling bulimia for five years.
After Avrin’s death, her mother, Judy Avrin, became determined to do all she could to raise awareness about this life-threatening disease, offer hope and provide support and resources for information, so early treatment can be found.
Jennifer Smith, a licensed clinical social worker and director of the Walden Behavioral Health Clinics in Northampton and South Windsor, Conn., will speak and answer questions following the film.
Information about eating disorders will also be available.
Smith, who is the director of outpatient treatment at Walden, which treats eating disorders exclusively, said the documentary is effective.
“I (think it is) a very good depiction of someone struggling with an eating disorder, and how acute they can become in a short period of time,” Smith said.
“People with eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, and also the highest suicide rate. It is 50 times higher than in the general population.”
The film chronicles Avrin’s journey, through her diagnosis, treatment, and untimely death at age 19.
Her family, friends and health care providers are featured in the film, offering their own personal experiences with bulimia and providing insight to those who are battling an eating disorder who have a loved one who is living with such a disorder.
Smith said while the visual signs are often noticeable for those who suffer from anorexia and experience significant weight loss, the signs of bulimia are less noticeable.
“There are various ways to purge,” she said. “There is vomiting, laxatives, and excessive exercise. All of those purging behaviors put an enormous stress on your heart.”
High school and college students are especially susceptible to developing eating disorders.
“Eating disorders often develop in times of transition, (especially) the transition into adolescence and certainly high school into college,” Smith said.
Smith said it is surprising to her, given the work that she does, that people in general need to be more aware of the seriousness of bulimia.
“I speak at colleges where purging is accepted as part of the culture,” she said.
“It’s what young people do, without understanding how incredibly serious this can be. There are people who start those behaviors and it will develop into a full blown eating disorder and life-threatening illnesses.”
Smith said young people should not consider eating disorders simply a trend or a choice one makes.
The warning signs that someone may be suffering from an eating disorder are dramatic changes in weight, withdrawal from a social network or from family, and changes in mental status, such as depression or anxiety. They may also experience changes in academic or job performance.
Smith said the best thing someone can do if they suspect a friend or loved one has an eating disorder is to say something.
“Get them to qualified professionals, including a primary care doctor,” she said. “Eating disorders require a team – a therapist, a nutritionist and a primary care doctor at a minimum.”
Since eating disorders occur often amongst college students, Smith said she can’t emphasize enough that waiting to treat the disorder is simply not an option.
“Some might say, ‘I have three months left of school (I’ll treat it later),’” she said. “That’s a very bad idea. There is nothing more important than getting it treated.”
Smith said the longer an eating disorder goes on, the more it becomes ingrained and entrenched in someone’s life.
“There’s nothing more important – not school, not a job,” she said. “I would say to parents, I would treat this as if my child had cancer.”
Mary Jane O’Connor, licensed mental health counselor, of Holyoke Community College Counseling Services, said she was prompted to bring this film to students after she learned how serious eating disorders are.
“I was struck when I saw the statistic that the mortality rate for 15to 24 year old females who suffer from anorexia nervosa is 12 times the rate of all other causes of death for that age group,” O’Connor said.
“I was floored! This is a significant issue for students and the community, and yet we don’t often hear much about it.”
O’Connor said one of the roles of counseling services is to educate students about mental health issues that affect them, and to reduce the stigma around seeking treatment.
“Our hope is that in showing the film and getting people to talk about eating disorders, we will increase awareness about this tragic disorder and encourage early intervention,” she said.
“Someday Melissa, the Story of an Eating Disorder, Loss and Hope” will be screened March 6 at 11 a.m. in the Leslie Phillips Theater at Holyoke Community College, 303 Homestead Avenue, Holyoke. It is free and open to the public.