There are all kinds of families in the world. No one deserves to live in a domineering, hurtful or hostile environment. However, not everyone that lives in this kind of environment develops an eating disorder. A very small percentage of the entire population, for instance, develops anorexia. If simply living in a difficult environment caused an eating disorder, then the numbers would be greater than they are.
Likewise, there are many out there that come from perfectly fine families with life stressors that are not outside the normal range. Yet they go on to develop an eating problem.
Unless you have the genetics for it in the first place, an eating disorder is highly unlikely to develop. Research has shown that, for anorexics, they are very unlikely to come from homes that are abusive. They come from all kinds of home and all kinds of backgrounds.
The most common trigger for entrance into an eating disorder in the genetically susceptible?
Going on a diet. Losing weight is often initially met with positive comments from others. For the predisposed, it can have a calming effect and set into motion a cascade of biochemically based brain changes.
In my opinion, blaming and searching for causes is destructive. It does not allow the family to focus together in an attempt to fight the illness. It delves into possible causes that can distract from the real and urgent need for complete, full nutrition. It can potentially legitimize distorted thinking on the part of ill loved ones if the therapist talks only with the person suffering an ED and does not hear the family's perspective. Once a person is refed, then is the time to address anxieties, developmental issues, etc. if needed.
Family-Based therapy (aka the Maudsley Method) is research based and has the highest evidence for effectiveness in adolescents. It puts parents in charge. It does not counsel young sufferers until their brain is rehealed enough to make use of it. It does not blame families. It sees families as the best resource.
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There are all kinds of families in the world. No one deserves to live in a domineering, hurtful or hostile environment. However, not everyone that lives in this kind of environment develops an eating disorder. A very small percentage of the entire population, for instance, develops anorexia. If simply living in a difficult environment caused an eating disorder, then the numbers would be greater than they are.
Likewise, there are many out there that come from perfectly fine families with life stressors that are not outside the normal range. Yet they go on to develop an eating problem.
Unless you have the genetics for it in the first place, an eating disorder is highly unlikely to develop. Research has shown that, for anorexics, they are very unlikely to come from homes that are abusive. They come from all kinds of home and all kinds of backgrounds.
The most common trigger for entrance into an eating disorder in the genetically susceptible?
Going on a diet. Losing weight is often initially met with positive comments from others. For the predisposed, it can have a calming effect and set into motion a cascade of biochemically based brain changes.
In my opinion, blaming and searching for causes is destructive. It does not allow the family to focus together in an attempt to fight the illness. It delves into possible causes that can distract from the real and urgent need for complete, full nutrition. It can potentially legitimize distorted thinking on the part of ill loved ones if the therapist talks only with the person suffering an ED and does not hear the family's perspective. Once a person is refed, then is the time to address anxieties, developmental issues, etc. if needed.
Family-Based therapy (aka the Maudsley Method) is research based and has the highest evidence for effectiveness in adolescents. It puts parents in charge. It does not counsel young sufferers until their brain is rehealed enough to make use of it. It does not blame families. It sees families as the best resource.
Who would you go to if your child was ill?
anne
June 4, 2009 - 10:27amThis Comment
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