Charis Center

Dr. Laura Boggs from the Charis Center told us about eating disorders and treatment for those working through these issues. The Charis Center is located on the northwest side of Indy, but is a part of the larger Riley Hospital. There are several disorders that the Charis Center treats including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating. Although genetics and societal views can be factors, many of the patients the Charis Center helps have emotions that they don’t know how to deal with. People with eating disorders use food as way to have some control (controlling how much or how little they eat, etc.). Treatment of course varies from patient to patient but can include in-patient, out-patient, having a parent or guardian control all of the food (the patient can’t go into the kitchen), and ensuring the family has a kitchen table and eats meals together among others. The Charis Center has a friends and family support group. Since the 1930s, the number of people affected by eating disorders has been growing, but this may be partially because it is becoming more known so more people are being diagnosed. However, the funding and research dollars are much less for eating disorders than other diseases receive considering the number of people affected. About 30% of those who receive treatment, will be in recovery for the rest of their lives while about 10% will lose their life to these diseases. Females are more likely to have eating disorders, and adolescents and young adults are more likely to have eating disorders compared to other age groups.