Media Archive
Facing Confidence
Posted Mar 3, 2009
Facing Confidence Week was a new time on the Lubbock Christian University campus, joining the ranks of well-known weeks such as TWIRP Week and Spiritual Renewal Week. Even though the idea for Facing Confidence was new, it was just as profound and important as any other time here on campus.
Amid the many engaging activities, such as an art exhibit and yoga classes, the I Chose to Live program by guest speaker Patrick Bergstrom was especially important. He spoke at chapel last Wednesday morning and later at the AX Devo. In both, Bergstrom spoke about his struggles with anorexia and how
‘I Chose To Live’
Posted Mar 1, 2009
by Patrick Bergstrom + photos by Seth Freeman
We live in a country that spends billions of dollars on beauty products and fad diets. Everywhere you look there is another ad expressing another way to be thin and look attractive. Yet more than 10 million Americans — nine million women and one million men — suffer from eating disorders, an alarming fact considering that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses and are increasing in incidence.
Contrary to popular perception, eating disorders are not really about food and “dieting.” They tend to originate from a complex combination of
‘Eating disorders don’t discriminate’
Posted Feb 17, 2009
By Anna Kowalczyk
Almost a year ago, Patrick Bergstrom was told he only had twelve months to live - unless he swallowed his pride and sought help.
"In March, it'll have been one year," Bergstrom said. "And I am not dead."
Bergstrom, a 25-year-old Maryland native and former Division III lacrosse player at Wesley College, was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa in 2007.
Last night, Bergstrom talked about his fight to survive to an intimate group of about 10 students and faculty members at the Center for Health and Wellbeing's "I Choose to Live" presentation.
After 30 days of in-patient treatment and months of therapy, Bergstrom
Male Anorexia
Posted Nov 24, 2008
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (WUSA)--While women are usually affected by eating disorders, it's estimated one million men and boys battle the illness every day. But the stigma for men is tremendous--mainly because eating disorders are thought of as a "girl's disease." So many males do not seek treatment. Patrick Bergstrom, of Hagerstown, Maryland, is determined to break the silence.
"The thing I can say about the mirror is when I looked in it, I didn't see what everyone else saw," says Patrick, who is 25-years-old.
Patrick is a recovering anorexic.
"I didn't see how thin I was. How pale I was," he says sitting in
Patient Voices: Eating Disorders
Posted Oct 14, 2008
How does an eating disorder take over someone’s life? Is it a matter of losing control or trying to seize it? Eight men, women and children tell of their struggles with anorexia, bulimia and other forms of eating disorders. (Join the discussion here.)
See the full story