Eating disorders are common, serious mental illnesses, but less than 20% of individuals with these problems ever receive treatment. In this talk, Dr. Ellen Fitzsimmons-Craft will review diagnoses and risk factors for eating disorders, signs and symptoms, the importance of screening and prevention, how to talk to loved ones who may be struggling, and options for treatment. Finally, Dr. Fitzsimmons-Craft will talk about her work harnessing technology to expand access to screening and care for eating disorders. The presentation will be followed by 15 minutes of Q&A.

 

Ellen Fitzsimmons-Craft, Ph.D., licensed psychologist, is an Associate Professor of Psychological & Brain Sciences and Psychiatry at Washington University in St. Louis. Her research centers on the use of technology for eating disorder prevention and treatment, screening, sociocultural, etiological, and maintenance factors for eating disorders, recovery, and college mental health. Ultimately her work aims to disseminate evidence-based interventions from research to practice, as well as extend treatments and access to reach the many people in need of care for mental health problems who aren’t receiving services. Her work has been funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Eating Disorders Association, the Klingenstein Third Generation, and the Office on Women’s Health in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, amongst others. She has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed publications, and her work has been featured in the New York Times, 60 Minutes, NPR, Wired, Forbes, and Scientific American.