Eating Disorders in Chronic Illness with Krista Day-Gloe

In this episode, Krista Day-Gloe, a licensed clinical social worker, discusses the intersection of chronic illnesses like POTS, MCAS, and EDS, and eating disorders. She notes that symptoms from conditions such as gastroparesis and MCAS are sometimes misdiagnosed as eating disorders, while some patients may develop eating disorders due to dietary restrictions aimed at symptom management. Krista explores the concept of the mind-body connection, emphasizing that fear of food-induced symptoms can both contribute to and exacerbate these conditions. She also highlights a relatively new eating disorder called ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), which may begin with legitimate medical issues that lead to overly restrictive diets. Krista stresses the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, including therapy, nutrition, and medical care, and underscores the need for greater awareness and understanding among healthcare providers about the link between eating disorders and chronic illness. The episode provides hope for recovery through comprehensive care and collaboration among healthcare providers.