Recent studies published in the Archives of General Psychiatry show that eating disorders in teens are strongly connected to suicide. These eating disorders can be fatal, usually beginning during the ages of 12- 17, and are associated with numerous other psychiatric disorders.

The research was based on a survey of more than 10,000 teenagers between the ages of thirteen and eighteen. The study revealed that more than fifty percent of American adolescents have suffered an eating disorder. Most do not seek treatments for their issues; in fact, less than a quarter of all teens seek help for eating or weight problems. Psychiatric disorders are addressed more often.

Of those who participated in the survey, nearly 86% had suffered from at least one other psychiatric disorder, such as depression, anxiety disorder or social phobia. All eating disorders were associated with a certain level of suicidal risk, bulimia nervosa was the one found to be the most strongly tied to suicide. A third of the respondents who experienced bulimia admitted to attempting suicide at least once.

Health care professionals strongly encourage parents and youth organizations to pay careful attention to their children’s eating habits, as well as to their emotional and psychological health. Programs like Teen Screen offer easy, non-invasive methods of recognizing psychological and psychiatric problems in adolescents during the years when they are most prone to disorders. Proper awareness, prevention and treatment can effectively reduce the risk of suicide in American teens today.

The rigorous routine of life is often hard to escape, and, if you do find the time to relax you realize you’ve forgotten how. Well, why not do it the old fashioned way? Leave the computer, television, and telephone aside, and sit down with a good book and a steaming mug of coffee.

Here are a few great books that will be easy to find at any library:

The Time Traveler’s Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger- This is a love story that explores the human soul at depth. Clare Abshire is an artist who struggles with the frequent but inevitable disappearances of her husband Henry DeTamble. Henry is a librarian born with a genetic disorder that causes unpredictable time travel. The story is told from the perspectives of both characters.

Publishers Weekly said: “This clever and inventive tale works on three levels; as an intriguing science fiction concept, a realistic character study and a touching love story.”

When Crickets Cry, by Charles Martin- The story of a seven-year-old girl with a serious heart problem, and how she changes the life of a man who thought he had left his painful past behind him.

Southern Living said: “When Crickets Cry manages to deliver a poetic love story, a heart-pounding medical thriller, and a spiritual epiphany, all while smoothly introducing charming characters and twists that keep the pages turning.”

Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen- This historical fiction tells the story of a man who leaves veterinary school and joins a circus following the death of his parents. What he discovers there is a completely unfamiliar, and he quickly learns the rules of survival in a world not his own.

The book has been described as “An atmospheric, gritty and compelling novel of star-crossed lovers, set in the circus world circa 1932… Beautifully written, Water for Elephants is illuminated by a wonderful sense of time and place.”

The first woman to ever be on a presidential ticket has passed away. Geraldine Ferraro died yesterday at 75 in Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, after struggling with a blood cancer for 12 years. Clearly she will be missed. Even President Barack Obama was heard praising the lady for her service, saying that her impact will be felt on the lives of his daughters.

In an election concession speech, Ferraro said: “for two centuries, candidates have run for president. Not one from a major party ever asked a woman to be his running mate — until Walter Mondale…Campaigns, even if you lose them, do serve a purpose. My candidacy has said the days of discrimination are numbered.”

She was a strong, courageous lady who will be sorely missed. Her legacy is bound to live on.

Witherspoon Weds Toth Amid Family and Friends

35-year old actress Reese Witherspoon – famous for her leading roles in Legally Blonde and Sweet Home Alabama – married Jim Toth in her stunning Californian estate. The ceremony was attended by others in the entertainment business including Tobey Maguire, Robert Downey, Jr., and newly-single Renee Zellweger. It was a small intimate affair, with only 120 guests with Witherspoon’s nieces as flower girls and her best friend Heather Fosenfield as matron of honor. Much of the couple’s family were there for the wedding, including the bride’s children (Ava, 11 and Deacon, 7) as well as her parents John and Betty. As well, Nanci Ryder was in attendance, who accompanied Renee Zellweger and happens to be one of Witherspoon’s best friends.

But it wasn’t just the new Mrs. Toth who was getting a dose of romanticism. Witherspoon’s ex-husband Ryan Phillippe spontaneously took Amanda Seyfriend – his girlfriend less than 10 years his junior – away for a weekend. They ended up at the exquisite San Ysidro Ranch situated just outside Santa Barbara, California. While his ex was getting wed, Philippe and Seyfriend were out running with their dogs.

Sir Elton John Pays Tribute To Friend

It’s all the great performers banding together. At a Pittsburgh concert last night, Sir. Elton John paid tribute to the death of his good friend and super entertainer Elizabeth Taylor. He told the crowd, “today I lost a friend and you lost a hero named Elizabeth Taylor…. She was without a doubt one of the greatest people I’ve ever met in my life.”

So Much More Than an Entertainer

Apart from being such a fabulous entertainer and a true friend to John, it could not be forgotten how much Elizabeth Taylor cared for people who were suffering. As John commented, “she stood up when no one was prepared to stand up and be counted against AIDS.” She truly loved people. He feels she is irreplaceable. During his rendition of ‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,’ Sir. Elton said, “This is for you and your beautiful memory and for all the people you helped and saved.”

Elizabeth Taylor died at 79 years old; may she be remembered for all the good she did.