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Therapeutic Neuropsychological Feedback for Anorexia : Two Case Studies
May 31, 2008 in anorexia, Anorexia Nervosa, Anorexia Treatment, Behavioral Strategies and Eating Disorders, Binge Eating Disorder (BED), Blogs, Bulimia, Bulimia Nervosa, Carer Support, COE (Compulsive Over-Eating), cognitive processing and Eating Disorders, Cognitive Rigidity and Anorexia, Cognitive Training and Eating Disorders, Comorbidity and Anorexia, Early Identification of Eating Disorders, Eating Disorder Advocacy, Eating Disorder News, Eating Disorder Research, EDNOS, Empowered Families, Empowered Parents, European Eating Disorders Review, European Eating Disorders Review/Journal, Family History of AN, Improvement of Psychological and Behavioral Treatments, Neurobiology of Treating Eating Disorders, Neuropsychological Feedback Therapy, Neuropsychology, Neuroscience, Parent Advocates, Questionnaire Studies/Data, Self-Care, Set-Shifting and Anorexia | Tags: Anorexia Treatment, cognitive processing and Eating Disorders, Cognitive Rigidity and Anorexia, Cognitive Training and Eating Disorders, Comorbidity and Anorexia, Eating Disorder Case Studies for Improvement of Treatme, Eating Disorder Treatment Approaches, European Eating Disorders Review/Journal, Neuropsychological Assessment & Feedback Module, Neuropsychological Feedback Therapy, Neuropsychological Profile of Anorexia, Neuropsychology, Research and Eating Disorders, Set-Shifting and Anorexia | Leave a comment
The European Eating Disorder Review published two interesting case studies utilizing the NF therapuetic intervention which resulted in some differences (though it appeared both participants found the method beneficial from their personal feedback) which involve three distinct Sessions:
- Session 1 – Neuropsychological Assessment
- Session 2 – Feedback, Formulation & Target Setting
- Session 3 – Reflection
Researches Carolina Lopez, Marion Roberts, Kate Tchanturia and Janet Treasure make clear that these results are preliminary and indeed need further development and study, but that they show promise towards working individually with AN sufferers (I would also think this modality can be implemented and fine-tuned specifically within the other eating disorder spectrum/diagnosis’ as well) and their distinct cognitive processes that can be or become increasingly rigid, singly focused, and inflexible keeping one “stuck” (my words) in a repetitive cycle usually not helpful for an eating disorder sufferer. The “aim of the intervention is to help individuals transcend their information processing styles and develop a more balanced strategy in their relationship with food and shape/weight“.
What stood out positively within the study was pointing out that there is no “right or wrong” in terms of a sufferers cognitive style, and that the emphasis was not to constantly drill a negative personal message of something being “wrong” with an individual. But rather, using the modality to assist in being able to “step back” (where the reflection session comes in) and gain some personal perspective, more reflectively to “problem solve” and restrategize what may be perpetuating a cyclical unhealthy processing in terms of the eating disorder and cognitive-rigidity; and expand a broader scope to better assist and support the sufferer within continued recovery.
What also stood out to me personally in reviewing the case studies was a reflection upon how “acting quickly”, finding treatment, experienced and trained providers, and having a “plan of action” earlier vs later cannot be understated. And sometimes you have to really be a bug up someones arse to get things moving and changing, or finding better care if you’re not getting the services you or your loved one need– so don’t give up, keep plugging forward — everyday is a new beginning.
-shanti
“The Disorder Next Door”
April 23, 2008 in Access to ED Care/Treatment, Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa, Adolescent Eating Behaviors, anorexia, Anorexia Nervosa, Behavioral Health, Body Acceptance, Body Image & Writing, Bulimia, Bulimia Nervosa, Carer Support, Carer Support/Healing, COE (Compulsive Over-Eating), Community Health Education, Constructs of Pyschological Distress, Consumer Alert, Culture, Disordered Eating Behaviors, Dr Cynthia Bulik, Dr Margo Paine, Eating Disorder Advocacy, Eating Disorder News, Eating Disorder Research, Eating Disorder Treatment, Eating Disorders, Eating Disorders and Mental Health, Eating Patterns and Weight Related Issues, ED advocacy, ED Hope & Recovery, ED recovery, ED's and the Media, EDNOS, eliminating stigma, Empowered Families, Empowered Parents, Engaged Families, Environmental factores influencing ED's, family, Family & Culture, Family Education/Resources, Family supported ED treatment, Genetic and Environmental causes of ED's, Health, Health & Wellbeing, Imperfect Bodies, Improvement of Psychological and Behavioral Treatments, Mental Health, Parent Activism and Eating Disorders, Parent Support, Personal, Power of the Media & Perception, Public Health, Research and Recovery, Society and Weight Related Issues, Socio-Cultural Factors and Advertising to Promote ED's, Sociocultural Factors in Eating Disorders, thin idealization, women/psychology | Tags: American Consumerism and Dieting, anorexia, Anorexia Nervosa, Body Acceptance, Body Image and the Media, Bulimia, Bulimia Nervosa, Calorie Prisoners, Career Dieters, Carer Support, COE (Compulsive Over-Eating), Community Health Education and Eating Disorders, constructs of psychological distress, Culture/Society and Dieting, Disordered Eaters, Disordered Eating Behaviors, Dr Cynthia Bulik, Dr Diane Mickley, Dr Margo Paine, Eating Disorder News, Eating Disorders, ED News, ED-NOS, environmental factors influencing ED's, Food Addicts, Malnutrition in a Modern World, Media Overkill, Medical News Today, Mental Health, Parent Activism and Eating Disorders, Parent Adovcates and ED's, Parent Support and Eating Disorders, Personal Stories, Power of the Media & Perception, Psychological Harm of Dieting, Public Health and Nutrition, SELF Magazine, Sociocultural Factors in Eating Disorders, University of North Carolina Eating Disorders Program, Women's Health | 5 comments
Tula Karras
When your child is diagnosed with an eating disorder your life changes- permanently. There is no looking back (though you do, and weep and grieve for the child you once knew and still know lies underneath the ED just waiting to find his/her way back– and they do!) there is no denying the obvious even when this illness can completely blindside and throw you off your center until you fully understand and grapple with its complexity– and even then you can still be utterly perplexed.
But you take action, keep your son/daughter safe, provide nutritional sustenance, comfort and support. You find the appropriate medical care, treatment facilities and resources that will help him/her, as well as yourself, find their way back to health, well being and continuing to work towards their full recovery– however that needs to happen- you just do it. We’re parents, Moms&Dads, families, grandparents, cousins, all taking those measures and lending a hand because we love each other and want to see those suffering find their way back to their true selves, living their dreams, passions and finding happiness- not perfection- in what gift of our Lives we have been given. Life is certainly not an easy journey, and growing up, becoming an adult, raising a family, fumbling through difficulties– these are all illuminating lessons to help bring us back to grace and compassion, wisdom and understanding.
Something within my own inner perspective and thinking is having a bit of a snag though. Maybe because I know how damn hard it is to wrestle with an illness our daughter was diagnosed with over a year ago. Knowing how hard she has worked to get to where she is now, how much more persistence and vigilance she will continue to have, especially now that she is fully discharged from the eating disorder program she has been intensely involved with for several months, and facing a culture and society that seems to be ironically having increased insecurities, issues and numbers of individuals (especially within older adult populations) with “disordered eating” patterns and behaviors, which to me on the outside look and behave just like our daughter did prior to her being diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa.
There is this surreal sensation that comes over me when I briefly skim over an article in SELF Magazine that highlights a partnered survey studythat was done in collaboration with Dr Cynthia Bulik and the University of North Carolina that states that “3 out of 4 American Women have disordered eating” and the magazine survey whose participants numbered over 4000, and probably still counting on both the survey, forum and follow up, continue to show an increase in disordered eating patterns and ranges of destructive habits that clearly as Dr Margo Paine boldly states exemplifies, “Dieting is a national pastime for women” and “as a society, we don’t see the problem“.
The survey also goes further into describing additional categories that 6 out of 10 (1 out of 10 have eating disorders) women who are categorized as “disordered eaters” describe themselves into specific subsets:
* Calorie Prisoners
* Secret Eaters
* Career Dieters
* Purgers
* Food Addicts
* Extreme Exercisers
Of course, none of these descriptors are new. But while some studies and stats have been pointing towards an increase of younger individuals being diagnosed with eating disorders, which may indeed be on the rise, though it’s always difficult to know whether we are only getting better at earlier diagnosing and intervention; and if some of the outcry and attention to the issue is creating the continued awareness, discussion, research and treatment standards. But this survey, as some previous others, is showing the age range to be in the adult category of a 25-45 year old female base, and from what I’ve read in some previous studies, this seems to be more consistent and increasing if you are to follow the conclusions.
Yes, I’m perplexed and even angry. I don’t want to see anyone needlessly suffering with any disordered eating behavior(s) that can have even the subtlest of impact upon ones’ health- period. But I also have another irritating irk in thinking about the continued impact these findings, if they are showing continued rises in eating-disordered behavior have upon our youth and young adults who are watching, reading, and taking in this information too. What, if anything does this ultimately translate to and what can be done to counteract this deranged preoccupation with dieting, body-dissatisfaction, and just overkill of the human body? When will the craziness stop just long enough to take a step back, breathe, and find acceptance and compassion for who you are as you are being enough, being worthy– because we all are.
And our kids need us to model and reinforce these strong capabilities and common-sense practicalities. When I see a book titled: My Beautiful Mommy I think this is a joke, right? But I find that it’s written by a plastic surgeon, and really set on promoting this “upkeep” ideal while cunningly proclaiming under a guise of “help”. Are we so far gone into our self-absorbed psyches that we are so easily swayed and coerced into finding this worthy of publication to begin with? Apparently so, as the book is being sold and bought, joke or not– some are taking the bait and seem to be biting hard, though not into much that will keep one nutritionally and mentally stable.
Our daughter has to not only find safety, stability and assurance within her home environment, but the world outside as well. And this rant of a thread I’ve lowered myself to in this post just proves what an apparently obnoxious mother on a mission I am (imperfections and all- silicon free and able to eat minus fear thankfully) to keep my daughter moving towards a healthy, happy and internally sustained recovery and passionately what that means to me.
Ladies and Gentlemen, can this insanity please begin to find it’s way back in the hole from where it came? Like a fire out of control, can we begin to find some means of putting this insatiable flame to some simmering rational end? Will these studies and polls just continue to bloom, boggle and frustrate so many of us, while invoking the opposite within others to think less of themselves, and to possibly court a potential ED, especially for those who are either biologically, physiologically and/or genetically predisposed and vulnerable?
To continued Health, Strength & Insight for us all.
EDC Lobby Day 2008
April 11, 2008 in Access to ED Care/Treatment, Accurate Information Campaigns in ED's, anorexia, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, Bulimia Nervosa, Carer Support, COE (Compulsive Over-Eating), Community Health Education, Consumer Alert, Culture, Eating Disorder Advocacy, Eating Disorder Coalition, Eating Disorder News, Eating Disorder Research, Eating Disorder Treatment, Eating Disorders, Eating Disorders and Mental Health, ED advocacy, ED Coalition, ED Hope & Recovery, ED recovery, EDC Lobby Day 2008, EDNOS, eliminating stigma, Empowered Families, Empowered Parents, Engaged Families, Evidence Based Treatment for Eating Disorders, Evidence-Based Medicine, F.R.E.E.D. Foundation, family, Family & Culture, Family & Friends Network (PFN), Family Education/Resources, Family supported ED treatment, Family-Based Therapy and Eating Disorders, Government, Health, Health & Wellbeing, Health Care, Hope & Recovery for ED's, Human Rights, Improvement of Psychological and Behavioral Treatments, Insurance Disparity, Mental Health, Mental Health Discrimination, Mental Health Parity, Neurobiology of Treating Eating Disorders, news, Parent Activism and Eating Disorders, Parent Advocates, Parent Support, Parent/Family Support and Eating Disorders, Paul Wellstone Mental Health & Addict Equity Act, Personal, Personal Empowerment, Personal Stories, Policy & Action, Policy Analysis, PSA's, Public Education of ED's, Public Health, Public Policy, Public Support for Parity, Research and Recovery | Tags: Access to ED Treatment, Access to Mental Health Care/Eating Disorders, anorexia, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, Bulimia Nervosa, Carer Support and Eating Disorders, COE (Compulsive Over-Eating), Eating Disorded, Eating Disorder News, Eating Disorders and Mental Health, Eating Disorders Coaltion, ED Hope & Recovery, ED Treatment, EDC Lobby Day 2008, EDNOS, Eliminating Stigma with Eating Disorders, Empowered Families/Parents and Eating Disorders, Evidence Based Treatment for Eating Disorders, F.R.E.E.D. Foundation, Government, Health Care, Health Insurance Discrimination, Health Insurance Reimbursement for ED's, Insurance Disparity and Eating Disorders, Legislation for ED Advocacy and Education, Parents with Eating Disordered Children, Policy & Action, PSA's, Public Health, Public Support for Parity, Support to further ED Research | 1 comment
Some incredible individuals and parent advocates have been hard at work the past two days in Washington working with legislators on Capital Hill for the annual Eating Disorders Coalition Lobby Day to push forth further measures and legislation in the continuation to further progress within treatment, research, prevention and education of eating disorders.
This is vital and necessary work. I for one am so very grateful, since I was not able to attend, for all of these individuals who have committed themselves towards improving the lives of those affected by this devastating illness and the families that are doing so much of this work solo, without much support, treatment resources, and clinicians adequately trained to best help their loves ones.
Thank you EDC and its sponsors, Ms Laura Collins— you are the best!
: America The Beautiful :
April 9, 2008 in America The Beautiful, anorexia, Anorexia Nervosa, Behavioral Health, Bodies and Film, Body Acceptance, Body Image & Film, Chicago Film Makers, Chicago Films, COE (Compulsive Over-Eating), Community Health Education, Constructs of Pyschological Distress, Culture, Darryl Roberts, Disordered Eating Behaviors, Eating Disorder Advocacy, Eating Disorder News, Eating Disorders, Eating Disorders and Mental Health, Eating Patterns and Weight Related Issues, ED Hope & Recovery, ED recovery, EDNOS, eliminating stigma, Empowered Families, Empowered Parents, Environmental factores influencing ED's, Family & Culture, Family Education/Resources, Film & Society, Film and Critique/Review, Film Documentary, Film Genres, Health & Wellbeing, Improvement of Psychological and Behavioral Treatments, Mental Health, news, Parent Activism and Eating Disorders, Parent Support, Parent/Family Support and Eating Disorders, Personal, Personal Empowerment, Personal Stories, Public Health, Self-Help Narratives, Society and Weight Related Issues, Sociocultural Factors in Eating Disorders, Symbolic Imagery, Thoughts | Tags: America The Beautiful, anorexia, Anorexia Nervosa, Behavioral Health, Bodies & Film, Body Acceptance, body image, Body Image & Film, Bulimia, Bulimia Nervosa, Chicago Film Makers, Chicago Films, COE (Compulsive Over-Eating), Collective Discussion of Film and Weight Related Issues, Community Events, Community Health Education, Constructs of Pychological Stress, Darryl Roberts, Eating Disorder Advocacy, Eating Disorder Recovery, Eating Disorders, EDNOS, Film and Critique/Review, Film Documentary, Film Genres, Health Issues, IAEDP, Mental Health, news, Obsessive Preoccupation with Weight, Parent Advocates, Parent Support/Education and ED's, Personal, Personal Empowerment, Sociocultural Factors in Eating Disorders, Thoughts, Weight & Stereotypes, Weight Issues and Film Documentaries | Leave a comment
Oh yeah! May 9th (or from what others have been stating but I haven’t found listed: April 25th) heading to the ‘Windy City’- Chicago to check out this city’s native film-maker, Darryl Roberts documentary that has gotten plenty of accolades; and additional kudos from those who attended last week’s IAEDP conference.
It’s interesting that within the past year two male film-makers (perhaps more– feel free to share if you know) the other is Glenn Gers and his film: Disfigured (which a Cali friend of mine got to see during the film festival and loved) have dared to dig deeper into our culture’s preoccupations within this topic– I say it’s bloody fantastic and about time!
Join the caravan if you are able.
ciao-
Heavens… Spring IS in the Air!
March 25, 2008 in Access to ED Care/Treatment, Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa, Adolescent Eating Behaviors, anorexia, Anorexia Nervosa, anthologies, Behavioral Health, Body Acceptance, Body Image & Writing, Bulimia, Bulimia Nervosa, Carer Support, COE (Compulsive Over-Eating), Constructs of Pyschological Distress, Culture, Disordered Eating Behaviors, Eating Disorder Advocacy, Eating Disorder Treatment, Eating Disorders, Eating Disorders and Mental Health, Eating Patterns and Weight Related Issues, ED advocacy, ED Hope & Recovery, ED recovery, EDNOS, eliminating stigma, Emotional Healing, Emotional Journeys, Empowered Families, Empowered Parents, Engaged Families, Environmental factores influencing ED's, Erase Stigma of Anorexia, Evidence Based Treatment for Eating Disorders, family, Family & Culture, Family Based Therapy, Family supported ED treatment, Family-Based Therapy and Eating Disorders, Health, Health & Wellbeing, Hope & Recovery for ED's, Improvement of Psychological and Behavioral Treatments, Journal writing and ED, Mental Health, Mythology and Healing, Parent Advocates, Parent Support, Residential ED Treatment Centers, Seasonal Festivals, Self-Care, Symbolic Imagery, Thoughts, Writing & Healing | Tags: Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa, Adolescent Eating Disorders, anorexia, Anorexia Nervosa, Behavioral Health, Body Acceptance, body image, Body Image & Writing, Bulimia, Bulimia Nerovsa, Carer Support and Eating Disorders, Constructs of Pyschological Distress and Anorexia, Disordered Eating Behaviors, Eating Disorder Activism, Eating Disorder Advocacy, Eating Disorder Hope&Recovery, Eating Disorder Treatment, eating disordered, Eating Disorders, Eating Patterns and Weight Related Issues, ED advocacy, ED Hope & Recovery, ED recovery, Emotional Healing and ED's, Emotional Journeys, Empowered Families and Eating Disorders, Empowered Parents and ED's, family, Family Support and Eating Disorders, Family supported ED treatment, Family-Based Therapy and Eating Disorders, Fesitvals and Ritual/Culture, Health, Health & Wellbeing, Life, Mental Health, Personal Empowerment and ED Recovery, Personal Stories, Recovery, Sacred festivals | 7 comments
This month is such a busy month… I’m very blessed and so very happy that I’ve sold two paintings (not current work, but nonetheless- yeah!) and it was a carefree act on my end, thinking nothing would move someone to be so compelled for work that honestly doesn’t resonate for me personally right now– but all good!
Easter was nice, we are a culturally diverse family (hubby from India) so we partake in other various festivals and events, Holi (see above) being one this month too– my birthday is coming up (not telling how many candles- tsk!) and having our daughter home from residential after nearly three months of treatment is no light lot.
I love spring! New green shoots pushing forth from the ground– and the snow is finally melting here- yippee! New life, new beginnings… change.
And while our daughter is definitely on her road to recovery, this is not a easy road for her to travel– she still needs lots of love, encouragement and support. She is also quite young, so the decision to “just do it” and fully connect both physically and intellectually to what has taken place over the past year is not all there for her to wade through and have immediate light-bulb moments and decide that today is the day she knows ED is behind her- for good. She herself has openly admitted she “is not ready” to say ado to her tango with ED– not yet.
She has however been slowly “emptying” and “letting go” of ED– one day at a time. A deep breath in and a very long exhale out…
“What will become of me if I let go of my eating disorder?”
“How many times have you tried to let go by hanging on?”
It doesn’t work… and it doesn’t happen all at once. One day, one step, one mouthful at a time.
Our daughter did something incredibly powerful a few weeks back. She wrote a “good-bye” letter to ED and she opened herself up to share this moving note:
ED,
I need to leave you. You have made me do some relapses and only made me think about shapes, sizes or weights. I feel really bad for leaving you but it’s the only way I can stay on the path of recovery and be able to achieve my goals in life. I will miss you a lot.
You have helped clear my feeling of stress out and do something that makes me feel comfortable (restrict). You have really hurt me. My friends and family have been here supporting me, and it seems that you want to shove my parents away. You also have not made me be able to hang out with my friends and then just isolate.
ED, I plan to take care of myself and to listen to myself more than YOU. I plan to become a ballet dancer and veterinarian, and enjoy my life and live my dreams. You may come back to me when I look into the mirror but I won’t let you take my passions away.
Good-bye ED-
Indeed. With the snow continuing to melt, the extended light of the days and the darkness of winter slowly turning more and more towards spring, I feel a renewed sense of Hope and Strength for our daughter’s continued striving forward towards full health, full Life. There will be days, as there already are, that will challenge and the proverbial two steps forward, three-five steps back… but she’ll get there and we’re all right there behind her cheering her on!
Happy Spring- Happy Holi-Hai!
:Prayer to the Bodhisattva:
March 19, 2008 in Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa, Adolescent Eating Behaviors, anorexia, Anorexia Nervosa, Artistic Therapy and Healing, Behaviora Strategies, Behavioral Health, Books, Carer Support, Disordered Eating Behaviors, Eating Disorder Advocacy, Eating Disorders, Eating Disorders and Mental Health, ED advocacy, ED Hope & Recovery, ED recovery, Emotional Healing, Emotional Journeys, Empowered Families, Empowered Parents, Engaged Families, Erase Stigma of Anorexia, family, Family Education/Resources, Family supported ED treatment, Healing Through Meditation, Health, Health & Wellbeing, Hope & Recovery for ED's, Improvement of Psychological and Behavioral Treatments, Life, Literary Genres, Parent Activism and Eating Disorders, Parent Advocates, Parent Support, Parent/Family Support and Eating Disorders, Personal, Personal Narratives, Personal Stories, Poetry, Poetry/Literature, Rabindranath Tagore, Self-Care, Spirituality, Sutras, Symbolic Imagery, Thoughts, visual Koans, Writing & Healing, Zen calligraphy, Zen Koans | Tags: Adolescent Eating Disorders, anorexia, Anorexia Nervosa, Behavioral Health, Bengali Poets, Buddhism, Carer Support and Eating Disorders, Eating Disorder Hope & Recovery, Eating Disorders and Recovery, Emotional Healing, Emotional Journey, Empowered Parents and Eating Disorder Recovery, Engaged Families and Eating Disorder Treatment/Recovery, family, Family Empowerment and ED, Family Resources for ED Treatment, Healing and Eating Disorders, Healing Through Meditation, Heath and Recovery, Life, Literary Genres, Literature, Parent Activism and Eating Disorders, Parent Advocates, Parent Support, Personal, Personal Narratives, Poetry & Healing, Rabindranath Tagore, Self-Care, Sutras, Thoughts, Upanishads, visual Koans, Zen calligraphy | Leave a comment
Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers
but to be fearless in facing them.
Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain
but for the heart to conquer it.
Let me not look for allies in life’s battlefield
but to be my own strength.
Let me not crave in anxious fear to be saved
but hope for patience to own my freedom.
-Rabindranath Tagore
-Sarvamangalam!
Three Cheers- A Seven Year Slump is Slowly Moving Forward
March 6, 2008 in Access to ED Care/Treatment, Accurate Information Campaigns in ED's, anorexia, Anorexia and Depression, Anorexia Nervosa, Behavioral Health, Big Pharma, Bulimia, Bulimia Nervosa, Consumer Alert, DSM-IV Criteria for ED's, DSM-V and Expanded ED Criteria, Eating Disorder Advocacy, Eating Disorders, Eating Disorders and Mental Health, ED advocacy, ED Coalition, ED Hope & Recovery, Eli Lilly, eliminating stigma, Empowered Families, Empowered Parents, family, Family & Friends Network (PFN), Family Education/Resources, Government, Health, Health & Wellbeing, Health Care, Health Care For All, Health Insurance Discrimination, Human Rights, Improvement of Psychological and Behavioral Treatments, Insurance Coverage and ED's, Insurance Disparity, La Follette School of Public Affairs, Mental Health, Mental Health Advocacy for Equality in Insurance Covera, Mental Health America, Mental Health Discrimination, Mental Health Parity, news, NYSE LLY, Parent Activism and Eating Disorders, Parent Advocates, Paul Wellstone Mental Health & Addict Equity Act, Personal, Personal Empowerment, Personal Stories, Policy & Action, Policy Analysis, Public Education of ED's, Public Policy, Society, Thoughts | Tags: Anorexia Nervosa, Anorexia Nervosa and Mental Health, Behavioral Health, Bulimia Nervosa, Business and Corruption, Corporate Greed and Mental Health Parity, Eating Disorder Coalition, Eating Disorders, Eating Disorders and Insurance Coverage, EDC Lobby Day, Eli Lilly and Bias, Empowered Families, Empowered Parents, Empowered Patients, Erasing Mental Health Stigma, Families Against Mental Health Discrimination, family, Government, Health, Health and Family Services, Health Care Advocacy, Health Care For All, Health Law Advocates, Human Rights, Insurance, Insurance Coverage and Eating Disorders, Insurance Disparity, La Follette School of Public Affairs, media, Mental Health Parity Bill Hr 1424, NAMI, news, Parent Activism and Eating Disorders, Parent Advocates to End Insurance Discrimination for Ea, Parents against Eating Disorder Discrimination/Stigma, Paul Wellstone, Personal, Policy & Action, Policy Analysis, Public Policy and Mental Health, Recovery, Social Policies, Society, writing | 2 comments
“It’s about opening up the doors and ending the shadow of discrimination against the mentally ill.”
-Patrick Kennedy
Today’s news is quite uplifting. And the 268-148 vote does speak to the dire need to continue towards enacting mental-health parity and mandating health insurance coverage equal to that of physical illness for mental health and addiction. I think Paul Wellstone would be encouraged to see some progress being made after nearly a decade of back and forth bi-partisan bickering and huge corporate influence , (and currently, to no one’s surprise, big-ph-arm Eli Lilly is really throwing a tantrum!), to strangle this vital legislation.
And there are plenty of critics who are rallying this victory as “mental-health insanity” and clearly looking only at their own financial dunk, but it’s truly time to stop stigmatizing those with mental illness who clearly need the same standard of quality care and treatment that any sane society would not withhold or financially ruin one with personally while working towards full health, healing and recovery.
I, unfortunately live in a state that does not currently have mental-health parity- yet. But I was impressed to read an in depth study done last spring by the La Follette School of Public Affairs in our state, that despite not having all the conclusive data to make absolute recommendations regarding mental-health parity, has incredibly convincing and thought-provoking details putting to bunk some of the primary reasoning against implementing mental-health parity that I would encourage anyone interested in advocating for mental health disparity to read. These studies really can be applied and adapted for further critique and implemented across all states, so that we will eventually see more than thirteen states that have adopted mental-health parity law.
-shanti
: NEDAW 2008 :
February 28, 2008 in Access to ED Care/Treatment, Accurate Information Campaigns in ED's, anorexia, Anorexia Nervosa, Behavioral Health, Body Acceptance, Bulimia, Bulimia Nervosa, Carer Support, COE (Compulsive Over-Eating), Community Health Education, Eating Disorder Advocacy, Eating Disorder News, Eating Disorder Treatment, Eating Disorders, ED advocacy, ED Hope & Recovery, ED recovery, EDNOS, eliminating stigma, Empowered Families, Empowered Parents, Engaged Families, Erase Stigma of Anorexia, Family Education/Resources, Health, Health Care, Hope & Recovery for ED's, Improvement of Psychological and Behavioral Treatments, Insurance Coverage and ED's, Mental Health, Mental Health Parity, National Eating Disorders Association, NEDAW 2008, Parent Activism and Eating Disorders, Parent Advocates, Personal Empowerment, Public Education of ED's, Residential ED Treatment Centers | Tags: anorexia, Anorexia Nervosa, Body Acceptance, body image, Body Image and NEDAW, Bulimia, Bulimia Nervosa, COE, Community Events, Community Health Education, Eating Disorder Advocacy, eating disorder myths and misconceptions, Eating Disorders, EDNOS, Embrace Your Genes, Empowered Families/Parents and Eating Disorders, Health, Health&Wellbeing, National Eating Disorders Association, NEDAW, news, Parent Activism and Eating Disorders, Parent Advocates for Education on Eating Disorders and, Personal Empowerment and Eating Disorder Recovery, Recovery and Hope for Eating Disorders, Support&Recovery | 2 comments
So many great happenings during National Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2008 – hope everyone is able to partake in some NEDAW events in your corresponding local areas. This year’s theme, much like last year’s, is still quite pivotal and we can all do our share to spread awareness, gently and compassionately encourage those who need support and treatment to take those vital initial steps with our love and backing.
Reach out, celebrate all our diverse shapes and sizes, EMBRACE each other, and share our stories- spread the word, be heard, dispel misconceptions and myths that still surround eating disorders and those that suffer- change can happen even with the simplest and smallest of steps!
Laura Collins, as always, an incredible inspiration, advocate, and Mom has posted some great commentary on the Congressional Briefing for the Eating Disorders Coalition with Dr Cynthia Bulik’s wisdom- Power to the People!
XO
: Eclipse Solaire :
February 21, 2008 in anorexia, Anorexia Nervosa, anthologies, Behavioral Health, Body Acceptance, Body Image & Writing, Books, Bulimia, Bulimia Nervosa, Carer Support, COE (Compulsive Over-Eating), Community Health Education, Disordered Eating Behaviors, Dr Anita Johnston, Eating by the Light of the Moon, Eating Disorder Advocacy, Eating Disorder Treatment, Eating Disorders, Eating Patterns and Weight Related Issues, ED advocacy, ED Hope & Recovery, Empowered Families, Empowered Parents, family, Family Education/Resources, Health, Health Care, Improvement of Psychological and Behavioral Treatments, Lunar Eclipse, Mental Health, Mythology and Healing, Parent Advocates, Personal Empowerment, Personal Narratives, Phases of the Moon, Psychology & Counseling, Psychology and Myth, Public Health and Nutrition, Relationships, Self-Care, Self-Help Narratives, Stories that Heal, Women & Writing, Women and ED, women/psychology, Writing & Healing | Tags: anorexia, Anorexia Nervosa, Behavioral Health, Body Acceptance, Books, Bulimia, Bulimia Nerovsa, Carer Support, Dr Anita Johnston, Earth Cycles, Eating by the Light of the Moon, Eating Disorders, Eating Patterns and Weight Related Issues, ED advocacy, ED Awareness, Empowered Parents, family, Family Support for Eating Disorders, Food, Health & Wellbeing, Life, Lunar Eclipse, Mental Health, Mindful Eating, Mythology for Healing, Nutrition, Phases of the Moon, Psychology & Counseling, Psychology and Myth, Recovery, Self-Acceptance, self-awareness, Self-Care, Self-Healing, self-help, Stories that Heal, Support for Eating Disorders, Writing&Healing | 2 comments
I find Eating By The Light Of The Moon to be a fitting thought for the day…
Your body is precious.
It is your vehicle for awakening,
treat it with care.
-BUDDHA
ADHD, AN, ED : Stigma can Sting-but Memoirs Heal
February 20, 2008 in ADHD & Me, anorexia, Anorexia Nervosa, Autobiography, Behavioral Health, Blake Taylor, Books, Bulimia, Bulimia Nervosa, Community Health Education, Constructs of Pyschological Distress, contemporary non-fiction, Culture, DSM Definitions, Eating Disorders, ED Hope & Recovery, ED recovery, eliminating stigma, Empowered Families, Empowered Parents, Engaged Families, Environmental factores influencing ED's, Essays, family, Family Education/Resources, Health & Wellbeing, Health Care, Improvement of Psychological and Behavioral Treatments, Life, Life with ADHD, Medical Terminology, Memoirs, Mental Health, Parent Advocates, Parent Support, Personal Empowerment, Personal Narratives, Personal Stories, Self-Help Narratives, Society | Tags: ADHD, ADHD & Me: What I Learned from Lighting Fires at th, anorexia, Attention Deficit Disorder Awareness, Blake Taylor, Books, Bulimia, constructs of psychological distress, counter-narratives, Culture, Diagnostic Language, Eating Disorders, ED Recovery Memoirs, ED Reocery/Support, eliminmating stigma, Empowered Writing/Self Help, Engaged Families, environmental factors influencing ED's, family, Family Education/Resources and Eating Disorders, Health, Healthcare, Life, Life with ADHD, Medical Terminology, Memoirs, Neurobehavioral Disorder, Personal Autobiographical, Personal Empowerment, Personal Stories, Recovery Support, Society, writing | Leave a comment
Does this sound familiar?
“It’s nearly always easier to relate to someone who’s been through it than a so-called expert who may have clinical or scientific knowledge but not real experience.”
“ADHD – _____ (substitute any subcategory of an eating disorder in here) is a real condition… It’s not laziness or bad parenting… When it’s carefully diagnosed the problems are quite serious, and the effects on ones life can be devastating.”
“There are so many qualities that come along with ADHD: intelligence, high energy, the ability to accomplish a lot, creativity, passion for cause, innovativeness, trustworthiness, etc. But the trick is you have to learn how to live with it and harness it. It is a difference. Realize you have lots of company.”
College freshman, BlakeTaylor has written an earnest and significant memoir: ADHD & Me: What I Learned from Lighting Fires at the Dinner Table (Laura, how about some gold forks and fire at the Dinner Table?) and his story is testament to living a life to its fullest despite some definite challenges and changes along the way.
There’s a poignant evolution in language, terminology- 1902- “Morbid Defect of Moral Control”* 1968- “Hyper-kinetic Reaction of Childhood”* 1980- Attention Deficit Disorder* 1990- ADD- and awareness that has taken place over the past hundred-plus years which, similar to Eating Disorders, has also expanded studies and research broadening the level of understanding Attention Deficit Disorder has arrived at today. But as within eating disorders, the labeling and categorizing hasn’t critically changed perceptions and stereotypes that still pervade within society, or within extensivley improving treatment strategies for these disorders which have profound impact upon an individuals development, quality of life, and effects within the entire family.
Mr Taylor states that he didn’t set out to write a book, and from accounts, it appears his story is a first within an autobiographical narrative living with ADHD. On that end, eating disorders has a bit of an edge with various self-help books, and courageous personal stories of recovery: Carrie Arnold’s Next To Nothing, Nadia Shivali’s Inside Out among many others; although the male voice is not equally as strong or heard on this end currently.
I think what’s incredibly powerful and uniting is the message of “encouraging people to get the support and help they need” that Mr Taylor emphasizes, as too the many who have recovered from an eating disorder state over and over again- you don’t have to do this alone, and YOU CAN DO IT! Blake’s mother, Nadine, shares another message many parents who help their children battle an eating disorder know all to well also: advocating for your loved one.
Congratulations Blake Taylor for your courage, honest words, and changing minds regarding living a kick-ass life with ADHD- I wish you the best towards your degree in molecular/cell biology, and I’m looking forward to reading more of your future writings on various genres soon. I also extend kudos to all the brave and resilient voices who have written about their journey through recovery from an eating disorder, and hope those who might feel isolated or uncertain where to turn for support, find strength and encouragement through amazing individuals such as these.
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