Participants Needed for Obesity Group Treatment Study

Obesity is one of the nation’s fastest-growing and most troubling health problems.  Research shows that 24% of the Hanover area population is obese, and 61.2% is overweight.  

The situation for those who have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness is even more dire.  Medication-induced weight gain has been identified as a serious side effect of the neuroleptics and second-generation antipsychotics. 

Individuals who are overweight or obese are at increased risk of developing a multitude of serious health conditions.  The effects of obesity, in terms of disability and morbidity are devastating.  According to research done by Carol Vidal, M.D., of Hanover Hospital’s Wellness Connection and Holly Kricher, Psy.D., Adams-Hanover Counseling Services, Inc., being obese also has serious psychological and social repercussions.  Several studies have shown that obese and overweight persons are more likely to have poor body image, low self-esteem, and develop symptoms of depression.

In response to these findings, Hanover Hospital and Adams-Hanover Counseling Services, Inc. (AHCS) are collaborating in a new, year long, comprehensive weight management program aimed at treating obesity utilizing a cognitive-behavioral group therapy approach.  Individuals who have been diagnosed as having major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, or schizophrenia and are overweight are being sought to participate in this program, which will focus on learning new eating and activity behaviors while also understanding the attitude and emotional issues that contribute to obesity in the first place.

This new group treatment will focus entirely on the seriously mentally ill, a population that has been largely ignored by obesity intervention programming.  Modifications addressing the specific needs of this special population include: longer-term treatment, a therapeutic group component, incentives, and inclusion of a social support network.  Emphasis is placed on the importance of communication, education, and peer support in making healthy choices and choosing physical activity patterns.

Sessions will be held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  There is no cost for participation.

For more information, please contact Ling Wu, Psy.D., at 717-632-4900, ext. 1412.