Untreated anxiety and depression can enhance the progression of heart disease. See Heart and Mind Articles.
95% of the brain is developed by age 5, but the most advanced parts of the brain aren’t completely developed until the early 20s or later.
50-80% of why eating disorders develop can be traced to genetic factors.
Eating disorders appear to be about food and weight but are much more about fear – of almost everything.
Children who experience anxiety disorders are more susceptible to developing an eating disorder as an adolescent.
In a healthy low-fat diet, women need 60 grams and men need 75 grams of fat per day. See “The F Word” under Eating Disorder Articles.
Eating disorders are biologically-based illnesses just like depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Negative emotions affect blood pressure, heart rate and cardiac output. Developing healthy coping improves these important markers of heart health. See Heart and Mind Articles.
Psychological intervention with cardiac patients reduces stress, hostility, anxiety and depression. This decreases the risk of additional cardiac events. See Heart and Mind Articles.
Psychological factors have been linked to heart disease since the 1930s.
9 of the 12 risk factors for heart disease can be changed – all risks other than age, gender and family history can be improved with psychotherapy.
Ever wonder if you or a loved one has depression or anxiety? To take a confidential quiz, go to Assessments.
Many therapists who treat eating disorders have no training. To make sure a therapist is qualified, see “Finding an Eating Disorder Specialist” under Eating Disorder Articles.
An estimated 33% of overweight or obese people in diet programs have Binge Eating Disorder. Dieting often makes compulsive overeating worse, leading to more weight gain.
Laura A. Lees, Psy.D., CEDS
| Specialty: Clinical Psychologist, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Background Dr. Lees received her Doctor of Psychology degree with honors from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 1990. The combination of having been a competitive gymnast, completing her bachelor's degree in psychology and an interest in medicine led to her professional focus in behavioral medicine and, particularly, eating and weight disorders. After completing her predoctoral internship in Utah treating inpatients and outpatients with eating disorders, she returned to Milwaukee and eventually developed and directed several hospital-based as well as independent clinic-based eating disorder programs. Dr. Lees is one of the only Certified Eating Disorders Specialists (CEDS) in the area. In 2001, she was recognized by her peers as a leading expert in eating disorders in Milwaukee Magazine's cover story A Guide to Top Psychotherapists. In addition to treating anorexia and bulimia, Dr. Lees has expertise treating binge eating disorder (compulsive overeating) and weight-related medical problems including heart disease, high cholesterol and diabetes. Because any kind of eating or weight problem usually results from underlying emotional stressors, Dr. Lees has over 14 years of experience treating all forms of anxiety, depression, trauma and self-injury. Along with clinic staff, Dr. Lees was integral in the development of The Heart & Mind Program. The strong research evidence showing the significant connection between thoughts, feelings, coping styles and cardiac health was a motivating factor in developing this innovative program -- the only one of its kind in Southeastern Wisconsin. Dr. Lees is frequently interviewed by local and national media and is a regular presenter at the Wisconsin Psychological Association's annual convention. She is a member of numerous professional organizations and was appointed to the Panel of Experts for the Wisconsin Women's Health Foundation established by former first lady, Sue Ann Thompson. "I love the challenge of a complicated case and that's probably what attracts me so strongly to eating disorders and cardiac care. There are usually multiple levels of issues that require change -- from improving nutrition, to dealing with mood, to building healthy coping skills, to making lifestyle changes, to addressing medical problems, etc. I consider myself extremely honored that patients trust me to facilitate these changes through the treatment process. There's nothing more rewarding than seeing a person reach the point of recovery after witnessing the incredible efforts it took to get there." |
