By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Molly Greendeer
Naval Station Norfolk Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. - Naval Station Norfolk (NSN) hosted an eating disorder awareness seminar Feb. 7 at the base auditorium.

February is National Eating Disorder Awareness Month, and Naval Station leaders took the opportunity to focus on the subject, bring awareness to sailors and discuss resources for treatment.With the growing concern, Command Master Chief David Carter, command master chief of NSN, said there is no better time to train our Sailors and leadership on the dangers of eating disorders.

“It is important for all levels of leadership to know about eating disorders and be able to recognize some of the symptoms,” said Carter. “Only through proper training can we get our shipmates the help they need to deal with the disorder and get them on track to a healthy life and Navy career.”

There are many factors that play a role in the development of an eating disorder, but according guest speaker Dr. Kim Dennis, a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in eating disorder treatment at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center in Lamont, Ill., genetic disposition, early life events and a family history of eating disorders, increase the overall risk of developing one.

Dennis said that many of the same personality traits such as perfectionism and rigid thinking that many patients with disorders possess are also often found in people serving in the military.

“Those traits are what make you good at your job,” said Dennis.

Dennis said that joining the military does not necessarily mean someone will develop an eating disorder, but it is a life-altering event. Meaning, for those who already pose a risk of developing an eating disorder, partaking in the intense physically and mentally demanding profession can act as the trigger for the onset of an eating disorder.

Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class David Pendly, who attended the seminar, said he is all too aware of the pressure of meeting the physical fitness standards that is put on his Sailors and himself.

“The pressure is on for those of us who have struggled with weight problems our whole lives,” said Pendly. “We have to do what we have to do to meet the Navy’s standards or we’re out (of the Navy).”

Guest speaker Dr. Theresa Hornick, a doctor of physical therapy and a former Marine Corps Engineering Officer, shared her own story about her struggle with an eating disorder and her recovery path. .

Hornick said that even at an early age she placed a tremendous amount of stress on herself to be the best at whatever task was at hand. Whether it was softball, fitness or scholastics, being second to anyone was not an option for her. She said that her struggle to balance all aspects of her life along with the intense self-induced pressure led to the development of an eating disorder.

“My self-worth was defined by my body image and performance,” she said. “On paper I was perfect.”

Hornick said her eating disorder reached it peek while serving as a platoon commander in Iraq. Fearing not only for her safety, but for the safety of the team of Marines working under her, Hornick decided to reach out for help.

“It was time to finally take care of myself,” said Hornick.

Hornick explained that she did not initially get the helped she sought. She said she was advised to keep her disorder to herself. She said she was told she would get kicked out of the Marine Corps and was accused of trying to skip out on her deployment.

“The Marine Corps was everything to me,” said Hornick. “I did not want the stigma associated with working a desk job, but I had to do what I had to do.”

Her command ultimately facilitated help for Hornick, and she was medically evacuated from Iraq to get that help back in the states. She participated in an outpatient program here she learned about her disorder and how to treat it.

“I finally realized this could happen to anyone,” said Hornick.

Hornick received an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps and currently works as a physical therapist focusing on sports performance.

“Although I miss the Marine Corps, I know I made the right decision to seek treatment and take care of myself,” she said.

Unfortunately, not all people with eating disorders seek help. Dennis said there is a big discrepancy in the number of service members who possess eating disorder symptoms and the number of those treated. She said the stigma associated with all mental disorders, not just eating disorders, along with fear of medical boards and separation from the military are deterring factors for members to come forward for help with what could be a life-threatening situation.

“This is not an end all,” said Dennis. “Those diagnosed and treated go back to living full productive lives.”

U.S. Navy Lt. Pamela Gregory, a guest speaker and dietician with Navy Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP), said that prevention may reduce or eliminate the problem. She said to start with simple education and to support, encourage, and promote healthy physical activity in moderation.

“It is up to the leadership to educate themselves on signs and symptoms,” said Gregory. “Knowing what to look for may save someone’s life.”

Gregory said that if the command becomes concerned with a sailor’s behavior, they can do a command referral to NMCP as a precaution.

“Use intrusive leadership,” she said. “If you really care about your sailors, you want to get them the help them need.”

Gregory said that even though NMCP does not have eating disorder specialists, a team comprised of a dietician, a psychologist/psychiatrist and other medical professionals will get the patients off to the right start.

Maggie Neville, a guest speaker and a licensed clinical social worker currently working with the NMCP outpatient psychiatry department out of Boone Clinic on Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, said that her own struggle with bulimia led her to start a bulimia recovery group at the Boone clinic.

“Although this is the only group of its’ kind in the area, there are other groups and resources available to those struggling with eating disorders,” she said.

Neville said there are 12-step programs that incorporate cognitive behavioral therapy into a group therapy setting.

“Most with eating disorders are too embarrassed or afraid of stigma to come out about their eating disorders,” said Neville. “Groups like overeaters anonymous allow people to get the benefits of group therapy in a more private setting.”

Neville said that any treatment is better than no treatment.

“The more educated you are about your disorder and the more resources you use, the more likely you are to overcome,” said Neville.

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