The future of eating disorders
The Future of Everything
AI tools in adolescent mental health
Derenne weighs benefits and risks of chatbots, noting useful tools but missing guardrails for emergencies.
Psychiatrist Jennifer Derenne specializes in eating disorders. Most eating disorders begin in adolescence, but they can appear much earlier – or later – in life, too. To begin healing, Derenne works with an interdisciplinary team to first stabilize and renourish her patients and uses evidence-based psychotherapy that incorporates strong family involvement. Recent clinical studies are exploring the use of psychedelics to open new avenues for treating these notoriously hard-to-treat illnesses. Eating disorders are a life-threatening medical condition, Derenne asserts, telling host Russ Altman that “food is the best medicine” on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.
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Episode Reference Links:
- Stanford Profile: Jennifer L. Derenne, MD
Connect With Us:
- Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website
- Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon
- Connect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Russ Altman introduces guest Jennifer Derenne, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University.
(00:03:11) Studying Eating Disorders
Jennifer’s path from pediatrics to psychiatry and studying eating disorders.
(00:03:44) Types of Eating Disorders
A breakdown of the main diagnoses and what distinguishes them.
(00:04:59) Who Gets Eating Disorders?
The age ranges of those affected and when symptoms first appear.
(00:05:46) Disordered Vs. Normal Eating
Distinguishing common weight concerns from dangerous dysfunction.
(00:07:15) Treating Teen Eating Disorders
Why family involvement is crucial and treatment focuses on behaviors.
(00:08:56) Genetics & Social Media
The different risk factors that can contribute to disordered eating.
(00:10:08) Smartphones & Mental Health
The impact of smartphones on the development of coping mechanisms.
(00:12:32) Transitioning to College
Why mental health can destabilize during the move to independence.
(00:15:51) Treating Eating Disorders
The multidisciplinary approach to treating disordered eating.
(00:18:39) Supervision & Safety
The importance of supervision and medical follow-ups to help prevent relapse.
(00:21:03) AI in Adolescent Psychiatry
The pros and cons of AI tools in adolescent mental health support.
(00:25:21) The Limits of Medication
How medications often target comorbidities rather than the eating disorder itself.
(00:27:08) Psychedelics Research
Emerging studies on using psychedelics in the treatment of eating disorders.
(00:29:47) Future In a Minute
Rapid-fire Q&A: curiosity, treatment optimism, and becoming a book editor.
(00:31:48) Conclusion
Connect With Us:
Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website
Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon
Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook
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