“Eating Disorders and Gastrointestinal Symptoms – Overview of Symptoms, Complications, and Management”

Presented by Holly Peek MD, MPH

Patients with eating disorders often present with several gastrointestinal symptoms and complications. Significant GI symptoms can contribute to increased morbidity, increased risk of relapse, and complicate the recovery process. Additionally, it may be difficult for clinicians to distinguish between organic GI pathology, GI complications secondary to eating disorder behaviors, or a functional GI disorder. In many cases, there is a bidirectional relationship among all three of these factors. This presentation will review GI manifestations of eating disorders, including organic changes and diseases of gut-brain interaction. Management and treatment will also be reviewed.

Dr. Peek is a Harvard trained psychiatrist and currently works as an Instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.  She is board certified in both adult and child and adolescent psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Dr. Peek received her medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine in 2012. She also received a dual Master of Public Health degree at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, with a concentration in global community health and behavioral sciences. Her adult psychiatry training was completed at Tulane University School of Medicine, followed by a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, with training at both Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital.

She currently serves as the assistant medical director for the Klarman Eating Disorders Center at McLean Hospital. She also has a private practice where she treats children, adolescents, and young adults, located in Hamilton, MA.