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Dr. Julia E. Potter, MD is an adolescent medicine doctor in Boston, MA specializing in adolescent medicine and pediatrics (child & adolescent medicine). She graduated from University of Massachusetts Medical School. Dr. Julia E. Potter, MD is affiliated with Newton-Wellesley Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital.
Massachusetts General Hospital
Bulimia
Bulimia nervosa, typically called bulimia, is a disorder where people binge (eat large quantities of food) and purge the food that they just consumed by vomiting, laxative abuse, fasting, or excessive exercise. This behavior is usually motivated by a feeling of powerlessness over eating and a fear of weight gain or desire for weight loss. Bulimia can occur in underweight, normal weight, and overweight people. Common symptoms of bulimia include:
Some people with bulimia may have swollen parotid glands (salivary glands near the cheeks) that give their face a puffy "chipmunk" appearance. Their skin may look dehydrated and dull from repeated purging. Red scars and marks on the backs of the knuckles are prevalent in those with bulimia. Eating disorder experts may refer to these as "Russel's sign," named after a well-known psychologist.
However, others with bulimia may not show any outward signs of having an eating disorder. They may deliberately hide their eating habits or conceal their purging after a meal. It is important that family members and friends help loved ones with bulimia seek treatment. While many people with bulimia are still able to lead outwardly successful and active lifestyles, bulimia may have lasting and severe consequences to one's health. Electrolyte imbalance from bulimia is particularly dangerous and may lead to heart attack or stroke. Similarly, continued dehydration and disturbances in electrolyte levels can cause kidney damage and reduced kidney function.
Treatment for bulimia typically includes therapy and nutrition counseling. Eating disorder support groups, both online and in person, are often beneficial to recovery. Medical professionals may also look to treat the mental health problems that frequently accompany bulimia, which are body dysmorphia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression. Dietary specialists can assist patients with reintegrating foods into their diet and increasing consumed calories. Some patients may attend inpatient rehabilitation or eating disorder clinics, which provide all of the above treatments in a residential facility.
Fortunately, many people recover from bulimia and are able to fully restore their health.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are mental and physical illnesses that impact behavior, emotions, and thoughts about eating, food, body appearance, and weight. These disorders are characterized by preoccupations with food and physical size, resulting in dramatic lifestyle changes and adverse health effects. In the past, eating disorders were often diagnosed using BMI (body mass index), or by assessing someone's weight. Eating disorders specialists now recognize that eating disorders may occur in people of all sizes. The most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder (BED).
Anorexia nervosa, frequently referred to as anorexia, is a disorder where people severely restrict the types and quantity of food they eat. Those with anorexia have an extreme fear of eating and gaining weight and may repeatedly weigh themselves or engage in harmful behaviors such as excessive exercise or starvation. Those with anorexia often find themselves preoccupied with food, but unable to consume a healthy amount of it. This results in symptoms such as abnormally low BMI, vitamin deficiency, fatigue, fainting, and amenorrhea (lack of menstruation in women). Anorexia may cause bluish discoloration of the hands, brittle and falling out hair, yellowish skin, and lanugo (fine, downy hair). Left untreated, anorexia can lead to organ failure, brain damage, and even death.
Bulimia nervosa, typically called bulimia, is a disorder where people binge (eat large quantities of food) and purge the food that they just consumed by vomiting, laxative abuse, fasting, or excessive exercise. This behavior is usually motivated by a feeling of powerlessness over eating and a fear of weight gain or desire for weight loss. Bulimia can occur in underweight, normal weight, and overweight people. Symptoms of bulimia include acid reflux, intestinal distress, dehydration from purging, amenorrhea, and dental erosion from vomiting. Some people with bulimia have swollen parotid glands (salivary glands near the cheeks) and red scars and marks on the backs of their knuckles. Electrolyte imbalance from bulimia can be particularly severe and may lead to heart attack or stroke.
Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder. People with BED feel that they are unable to control the amount of food they eat and may continue to binge after reaching a point of fullness. BED binges (consuming large amounts of food) are often accompanied by feelings of sadness, guilt, and shame. Symptoms of BED include obesity, acid reflux, weight gain, and dissatisfaction with one's body. People with BED tend to experience cycles of negative emotions and binges. Binges or BED episodes can be provoked by stress, boredom, restrictive dieting, depression, and other triggers.
Other common eating disorders include:
Many people with eating disorders do not consciously develop them, and have difficulty seeking treatment. For this reason, it's important to detect and treat eating disorders as early as possible. Treatment for eating disorders can vary from therapy visits to inpatient treatment, depending on the disorder and its severity. Treatment aims to not only restore physical health and correct negative behaviors, but to also promote psychological well-being and self-confidence.
Mental Health Issues
Mental health issues, also referred to as mental health disorders or mental health illnesses, are a wide variety of conditions that impact behavior, emotion, and cognition. There are many different forms of mental health issues, some of which are acute (short-term), while others are chronic. Common mental health issues include:
No single cause of mental health issues exists. Multiple factors may increase one's risk for developing mental health issues, including but not limited to:
Mental health issues are typically diagnosed by a provider like a psychiatrist or a psychologist. These issues are diagnosed through psychological evaluation and talk therapy.
Mental health therapy can be an effective tool in supporting people who are struggling with unwanted feelings, behaviors, or difficult circumstances in their lives. Many forms of therapy are available, including specialized therapies tailored to particular disorders. For many issues, therapists help patients manage their conditions through talk therapy. Other treatments can include medication or stays at a psychiatric facility. Mental health therapy can help people with mental health issues improve their mental and emotional wellbeing.
Dr. Julia E. Potter, MD graduated from University of Massachusetts Medical School. She completed residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine Affiliated Hospitals. She is certified by the Adolescent Medicine, American Board of Pediatrics and has a state license in Massachusetts.
Medical School: University of Massachusetts Medical School
Residency: Albert Einstein College of Medicine Affiliated Hospitals
Board Certification: Adolescent Medicine, American Board of Pediatrics
Licensed In: Massachusetts
Dr. Julia E. Potter, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Julia E. Potter, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, MultiPlan, Tufts Health Plan, United Healthcare, Aetna, TRICARE, Medicare, Medicaid, Humana, Railroad Medicare, Coventry, Cigna, Blue California, Beech Street, WellPoint, Medicare ACO, WellSense, Senior Whole Health, Fallon Health, Commonwealth Care Alliance, Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare, Maine Community Health Options, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, MassHealth, WellSense NH and MassHealth ACO.
According to our sources, Dr. Julia E. Potter, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
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Dr. Julia Potter is a physician who specializes in adolescent medicine. Dr. Potter's clinical interests include bulimia, primary care, and sexually transmitted diseases (STds). She appears to be in-network for Blue California, Coventry, and Viant, in addition to other insurance carriers. After attending the University of Massachusetts Medical School, she completed her residency training at a hospital affiliated with Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She is affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital and Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Her practice in Boston, MA is open to new patients as reported by Newton-Wellesley Hospital.
