12 Nov iaedp Voices | Episode 9: Eating Disorder Genetics and What the Research Means for Care
Hosted by Kyle Woodson, MA, LPC | Guest: Cynthia M. Bulik, PhD, FAED, Distinguished Professor of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, and Founding Director, University of North Carolina Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders
About This Episode
Patients and families often ask why an eating disorder developed, whether it runs in the family, and what the science can offer. In this episode of iaedp Voices, host Kyle Woodson, MA, LPC, talks with Dr. Cynthia Bulik, a globally respected leader in international research on the biology and genetics of eating disorders, about what the research shows and how to talk about it with the people clinicians serve.
Dr. Bulik begins with the basics: what it means to say genetics play a role in eating disorders, and how to explain that to someone who assumes genes decide who becomes ill. She shares what the large international genetics studies have taught the field so far, including the finding that changed how she thinks about these illnesses. She also separates what genetics can say about a group of people from what it can say about one person’s risk or course of illness.
The conversation then turns to the moments clinicians face in the room. Dr. Bulik discusses how to respond when a parent asks, “Did I cause this?” or worries that another child will develop an eating disorder. She also names what she wishes clinicians would say differently about genetics and the misunderstandings worth avoiding.
Looking ahead, she describes where this research may eventually inform prevention and treatment, what she is hopeful about, and what is still too early to promise. She also offers guidance for families and patients on telling real progress from hype.
Dr. Bulik closes with the one thing she most wants clinicians to remember when a patient or family asks about genetics. She also shares an invitation: anyone who has experienced anorexia nervosa, atypical anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, or ARFID at any point in their life can take part in the Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative 2 (EDGI2) at edgi2.org.
iaedp Voices is sponsored by Alsana, Equip, and the Laureate Eating Disorders Program.
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