Latest news with #NationalEatingDisordersAssociation
2 days ago
- Entertainment
Tallulah Willis reveals hair loss amid recovery from 'severe' anorexia
Tallulah Willis is shining a light on the physical impact of her battle with an eating disorder. In a candid Instagram post on Sunday, the actress, who is the youngest daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, shared a deeply personal reflection, detailing the hair loss she experienced during the most severe phase of her anorexia. The post included photos from her time at a recovery facility in 2022, showing her hair cropped close and visibly thinning. In the caption, Tallulah Willis opened up about how, at the time, she saw her hair loss as a twisted badge of honor, shaped by the unhealthy mindset her disorder created. "I wanna talk about when I was balding because of my severe anorexia," she wrote. "The first photos were taken in summer 2022 in Austin TX while I was at Driftwood recovery. I want to talk about how I for a long time in my life I would have seen those patches of bare skin blurring through sparse hairs as a badge of honor. 'I was sick enough to make you look' :( ." She continued, "While I was at driftwood I temporarily needed a wheelchair to walk because my leg muscles had atrophied so badly. I'm still working to build back the muscles decimated during those many many years. I had such breakable and fragile hair, so thinned I had to use thousand clippies to keep things in place. And usually they slipped off because they [had] nothing to grab into." "I chose to crop some of them because for me this truly isn't a stage to show off how I nearly starved to death (publicly!), but I think the photos serve as a teaching tool," she added. Tallulah Willis went on to detail her recovery journey with gratitude, sharing that looking through recent "after" photos brought her joy, and expressing how something as simple as feeling her hair bounce now feels empowering. "I didn't realize how comforting a big bun could feel like, how sexy it feels for your hair bounce a little when you walk," she wrote. "I didn't value myself or my health but I am of the lucky who have made it to the other side. I made my disorder public and now it only feels right to make my recovery as well." "I want to heal and hug and soothe every busy mind that's out there still hurting," she concluded her post. "Keep going I love u all 🫂." Eating disorders are serious and potentially "fatal illnesses associated with severe disturbances in eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions," according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) notes that low caloric and fat intake can lead to dry skin, brittle hair, and hair loss. In response to prolonged starvation, the body may also develop fine, downy hair called lanugo to conserve warmth. Additionally, severe and extended dehydration can result in kidney failure. In the U.S., NEDA estimates that 30 million Americans will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lives. In addition to Tallulah Willis, Bruce Willis, who was diagnosed with aphasia in 2022 and frontotemporal dementia in 2023, also shares Rumer Willis and Scout Willis with Moore. He is also father to daughters Mabel Ray and Evelyn Penn, whom he shares with his wife, Emma Heming Willis.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Opinion - Dangerous AI therapy-bots are running amok. Congress must act.
A national crisis is unfolding in plain sight. Earlier this month, the Federal Trade Commission received a formal complaint about artificial intelligence therapist bots posing as licensed professionals. Days later, New Jersey moved to fine developers for deploying such bots. But one state can't fix a federal failure. These AI systems are already endangering public health — offering false assurances, bad advice and fake credentials — while hiding behind regulatory loopholes. Unless Congress acts now to empower federal agencies and establish clear rules, we'll be left with a dangerous, fragmented patchwork of state responses and increasingly serious mental health consequences around the country. The threat is real and immediate. One Instagram bot assured a teenage user it held a therapy license, listing a fake number. According to the San Francisco Standard, a bot used a real Maryland counselor's license ID. Others reportedly invented credentials entirely. These bots sound like real therapists, and vulnerable users often believe them. It's not just about stolen credentials. These bots are giving dangerous advice. In 2023, NPR reported that the National Eating Disorders Association replaced its human hotline staff with an AI bot, only to take it offline after it encouraged anorexic users to reduce calories and measure their fat. This month, Time reported that psychiatrist Andrew Clark, posing as a troubled teen, interacted with the most popular AI therapist bots. Nearly a third gave responses encouraging self-harm or violence. A recently published Stanford study confirmed how bad it can get: Leading AI chatbots consistently reinforced delusional or conspiratorial thinking during simulated therapy sessions. Instead of challenging distorted beliefs — a cornerstone of clinical therapy — the bots often validated them. In crisis scenarios, they failed to recognize red flags or offer safe responses. This is not just a technical failure; it's a public health risk masquerading as mental health support. AI does have real potential to expand access to mental health resources, particularly in underserved communities. A recent NEJM-AI study found that a highly structured, human-supervised chatbot was associated with reduced depression and anxiety symptoms and triggered live crisis alerts when needed. But that success was built on clear limits, human oversight and clinical responsibility. Today's popular AI 'therapists' offer none of that. The regulatory questions are clear. Food and Drug Administration 'software as a medical device' rules don't apply if bots don't claim to 'treat disease'. So they label themselves as 'wellness' tools and avoid any scrutiny. The FTC can intervene only after harm has occurred. And no existing frameworks meaningfully address the platforms hosting the bots or the fact that anyone can launch one overnight with no oversight. We cannot leave this to the states. While New Jersey's bill is a step in the right direction, relying on individual states to police AI therapist bots invites inconsistency, confusion, and exploitation. A user harmed in New Jersey could be exposed to identical risks coming from Texas or Florida without any recourse. A fragmented legal landscape won't stop a digital tool that crosses state lines instantly. We need federal action now. Congress must direct the FDA to require pre-market clearance for all AI mental health tools that perform diagnosis, therapy or crisis intervention, regardless of how they are labeled. Second, the FTC must be given clear authority to act proactively against deceptive AI-based health tools, including holding platforms accountable for negligently hosting such unsafe bots. Third, Congress must pass national legislation to criminalize impersonation of licensed health professionals by AI systems, with penalties for their developers and disseminators, and require AI therapy products to display disclaimers and crisis warnings, as well as implement meaningful human oversight. Finally, we need a public education campaign to help users — especially teens — understand the limits of AI and to recognize when they're being misled. This isn't just about regulation. Ensuring safety means equipping people to make informed choices in a rapidly changing digital landscape. The promise of AI for mental health care is real, but so is the danger. Without federal action, the market will continue to be flooded by unlicensed, unregulated bots that impersonate clinicians and cause real harm. Congress, regulators and public health leaders: Act now. Don't wait for more teenagers in crisis to be harmed by AI. Don't leave our safety to the states. And don't assume the tech industry will save us. Without leadership from Washington, a national tragedy may only be a few keystrokes away. Shlomo Engelson Argamon is the associate provost for Artificial Intelligence at Touro University. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
"Why Can't I Look Like That Again?": Tom Daley Opens Up About His Struggle With Body Image
Warning: Discussion about body image and eating disorders. Tom Daley is opening up about his struggle with body image now that he's retired from diving. In a profile with The Times, the five-time Olympic medalist opened up about his concerns over his body image and how it affected him throughout his career, before and after retirement. Tom had been a diver since he was seven years old, and he had dived in his first Olympics at 14 in 2008 as Britain's youngest competitor. In his career, he's won five Olympic medals, including gold, in Tokyo in 2021. Related: 24 Strange, Gross, And Totally Surprising Facts About Red Carpet Outfits In 2024, he announced his retirement after winning the silver at the Paris Olympics in the 10m men's synchronized dive with Noah Williams. After his photo shoot with The Times for the profile, Tom admitted, "I struggled over there." @tomdaley / Related: Sophie Turner Opened Up About Her "Incredibly Sad" Split From Joe Jonas "I've always had such horrible body issues going through my diving career. Now I'm not an athlete that trains six hours a day, I especially hate it." Despite the public's perception, Tom was honest about how watching old videos made him feel about his body. "I know if I'm rational about it, I should be completely happy, but seeing videos of what I looked like in the Olympics, I'm, like, why can't I look like that again?" Since retirement, Tom has lived in West Hollywood with his partner, Dustin Lance Black, and their two children. "It feels as though that part of me that was a diver is dead," Tom continued. View this photo on Instagram "When I watch competitions [on TV] it's as if I'm a spirit looking in from above, thinking, 'If I was in that, I would have done this.' It's really hard. You've got to be in it to win it. But when you're sitting on the sidelines it's like you've been benched for eternity." Being a champion Olympic athlete, especially after coming out in 2013, put him in the spotlight. "Growing up in the initial ages of social media and gay culture, being held to such a high standard, it's really difficult," Tom said. "Now I need to just have a healthy relationship with my body." You can read the entire interview here. The National Eating Disorders Association helpline is 1-800-931-2237; for 24/7 crisis support, text 'NEDA' to 741741. Also in Celebrity: "I Can't Emphasize Enough How Filthy Some Of These People Are": 39 Hollywood Secrets People Have Learned From Working With Celebs Also in Celebrity: If You Think You're Smarter Than The Average Celebrity, Prove It By Correctly Answering These Questions They Got Wrong On "Jeopardy" Also in Celebrity: 12 Celebs Who Came Out At A Young Age, And 13 Who Came Out Way Later In Life
Buzz Feed
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Tom Daley Struggles With Body Image
Warning: Discussion about body image and eating disorders. Tom Daley is opening up about his struggle with body image now that he's retired from diving. In a profile with The Times, the five-time Olympic medalist opened up about his concerns over his body image and how it affected him throughout his career, before and after retirement. Tom had been a diver since he was seven years old, and he had dived in his first Olympics at 14 in 2008 as Britain's youngest competitor. In his career, he's won five Olympic medals, including gold, in Tokyo in 2021. In 2024, he announced his retirement after winning the silver at the Paris Olympics in the 10m men's synchronized dive with Noah Williams. After his photo shoot with The Times for the profile, Tom admitted, "I struggled over there." "I've always had such horrible body issues going through my diving career. Now I'm not an athlete that trains six hours a day, I especially hate it." Despite the public's perception, Tom was honest about how watching old videos made him feel about his body. "I know if I'm rational about it, I should be completely happy, but seeing videos of what I looked like in the Olympics, I'm, like, why can't I look like that again?" Since retirement, Tom has lived in West Hollywood with his partner, Dustin Lance Black, and their two children. "It feels as though that part of me that was a diver is dead," Tom continued. "When I watch competitions [on TV] it's as if I'm a spirit looking in from above, thinking, 'If I was in that, I would have done this.' It's really hard. You've got to be in it to win it. But when you're sitting on the sidelines it's like you've been benched for eternity." Being a champion Olympic athlete, especially after coming out in 2013, put him in the spotlight. "Growing up in the initial ages of social media and gay culture, being held to such a high standard, it's really difficult," Tom said. "Now I need to just have a healthy relationship with my body." You can read the entire interview here. The National Eating Disorders Association helpline is 1-800-931-2237; for 24/7 crisis support, text 'NEDA' to 741741.
NDTV
05-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Are You A Healthy Eater Or Is It Orthorexia?
Choosing healthy food is often considered a sign of discipline and self-care. But when this desire turns into an obsession, it might be something more serious, orthorexia nervosa. Unlike other eating disorders that focus on the quantity of food, orthorexia is an unhealthy fixation on the quality and purity of food. While not officially recognised by the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), growing awareness among psychologists and nutritionists worldwide suggests that orthorexia is a rising concern, especially in health-conscious societies. So how do you know if you're eating healthy, or crossing the line? Understanding orthorexia and how it differs from clean eating Orthorexia starts with good intentions, avoiding processed foods, sugar, or additives, but escalates into an unhealthy obsession. According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), orthorexia often involves rigid rules, food-related anxiety, and social isolation. While clean eating promotes balance, orthorexia lacks flexibility, causing stress, malnutrition, and emotional distress despite appearing 'healthy' on the surface. 1. You obsessively read nutrition labels While it's wise to understand what goes into your food, orthorexic individuals may spend hours scrutinising every label, ingredient, and sourcing detail, often rejecting food not meeting self-imposed purity standards. 2. You avoid entire food groups without medical reasons Cutting out gluten, dairy, or carbs without allergies or intolerances may be a red flag. Orthorexia can lead people to eliminate foods not because of symptoms but based on misinformation or fear. 3. Eating 'clean' gives you a sense of superiority Feeling morally 'better' than others for your food choices is another sign. Orthorexia can create a divide between 'good' and 'bad' eaters, increasing social judgment and personal guilt around food. 4. You feel anxious when 'healthy' food is unavailable People with orthorexia often experience anxiety, guilt, or distress if they have to eat outside their dietary rules, such as at social events, family meals, or restaurants. 5. Your food rules affect your relationships Skipping gatherings or being overly rigid about where and what you eat may indicate that orthorexia is impacting your quality of life and isolating you socially. 6. You spend excessive time planning meals If a significant part of your day revolves around planning, sourcing, or preparing food with perfect standards, it may be more than just a healthy habit. 7. You ignore hunger cues to stick to food purity Listening to your body is essential for well-being. People with orthorexia often ignore hunger or fatigue if they can't find food that meets their standards, prioritising purity over nourishment. 8. You're underweight or facing nutrient deficiencies Ironically, orthorexia can result in undernourishment. Eliminating too many foods might lead to deficiencies in protein, iron, B12, and healthy fats, impacting your overall health despite 'eating clean.' What to do if you think you have orthorexia If your eating habits are driven more by fear than by nourishment, it's time to pause. Seek help from a psychologist, dietitian, or a specialist in eating disorders. According to NEDA, early intervention improves recovery outcomes. Mindful eating, therapy, and balanced nutrition can help you reclaim a healthy relationship with food, body, and life. Orthorexia blurs the line between wellness and obsession. While being mindful of food is admirable, it should not control your happiness or isolate you. A truly healthy eater embraces flexibility, balance, and emotional well-being. If your eating habits are starting to limit your joy, reach out, because health is not just what you eat, but how you live. Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
