Melinda Karth Ph.D.

About

Melinda Karth is a Ph.D. candidate in neuroscience at Purdue where she researches eating disorders. She also holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in both media and psychology.

Recent Posts

How Children with Eating Disorders Are Groomed Online

Within the past decade, pro-eating disorder communities have moved to more discrete online locations, making them hotbeds for the sexual exploitation and grooming of children.

Eating Disorders, Chatbot Therapy, and the Uncanny Valley

While chatbots offer potential benefits like affordability and increased access to therapy, there are significant challenges.

How Anorexia Nervosa Affects the Eyes

Malnutrition in anorexia nervosa can change the structure and aesthetics of the eyes and might interfere with visual processing.

Anorexia Nervosa and Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome

Severe weight loss in anorexia nervosa can cause superior mesenteric artery syndrome, a gastrointestinal condition that prevents weight gain and recovery from anorexia.

How Bulimia Nervosa Impacts the Heart

Purging behavior, a characteristic of bulimia nervosa, can substantially impair how the heart functions.

Brain Tumors Masquerading as Eating Disorders

Binge eating, restrictive eating, and weight loss don't always indicate an eating disorder. In rare cases, these signs could indicate a brain tumor.

Rumination Syndrome: A Lesser-Known Eating Disorder

Rumination syndrome is an eating disorder of unconscious food regurgitation with an unknown cause.

"Healthy" Orthorexia vs Orthorexia Nervosa?

We need to rethink the term "healthy" orthorexia.

Treating Binge Eating With Drugs Like Ozempic?

Studies show that Ozempic reduces binge eating in people with a high BMI. The safety/efficacy of Ozempic to treat binge eating in people of diverse weights, however, is unclear.

Relationships Between Schizophrenia and Eating Disorders

There are several theories for why schizophrenia and eating disorders can co-occur, but no definitive explanations.