Thank you Richelle! Very, very well said, especially "different approaches work for different people."
There are many different strong and emotional opinions when it comes to eating disorders (treatments, causes, etc.), especially when it involves a young person who is still dependent on their parents. Understandably, people are very passionate about this topic, especially the parents who are so desperate to help their sick child, who can die from their illness!
I completely understand that parents who have used a specific treatment that "worked" for their child would initially tend to feel that "their way" is "the only right way." It's what has saved their child's life, to this point! I'm sure I would feel exactly the same way if I'd encountered what these parents have been through!!! These parents have been through hell (a hell I cannot imagine!), and they most definitely mean well in stating their thoughts and opinions. They are only trying to help others, by sharing their stories of what worked for them.
I do, however, think it's so important to always keep an open mind. Not everyone of us are the same. Some of us have used different approaches that have worked for us. It does not mean "our way" is superior to what worked for these parents; it's only what worked for us and may also work for someone else (just like "their way" worked for them).
Personally, I believe that eating disorders are a "reaction" to certain stresses in life (no matter what age - everyone has stresses in their lives, even young people!). As a woman who has suffered from eating disorders for decades, I know what has worked for me. And I believe that I've had eating disorders for so many, many years that I need to be prepared for it to rear it's ugly head at any time. I must be prepared for this, so that if/when it happens, I'll recognize it for what it is, and not allow it to get out of control again.
Unfortunately, my own eating disorders began at age 12 and my parents did not recognize it for what it was (in the mid-70's). Now, as a grown woman and a parent myself, I've lived independently on my own since I was 18, I am fully responsible for myself and my own emotional/physical health and well-being.
What works for me? I've been seeing the same counselor/therapist every week for the past 4 years. She is herself a recovering anorexic (she's 54 now, but was hospitalized at age 13 in a communist country). She understands exactly what I go through in my life (I've been a single parent for 15 years, she was a single parent for 14 years). Sometimes, it's as if we've lived the same life! She's not only my counselor, she is my friend, my advocate, my no. 1 cheerleader!
Along with my wonderful, special counselor, I have an awesome family doctor (same dr. for over 14 years - who is not only open minded, but always well read and up to date on current treatment options, for everything), a great nutritionist who specifically treats eating disorders (also a recovering anorexic herself), and a psychiatrist who treats eating disorders and addictions (she used to teach at two well known medical schools).
Still, even with all the wonderful support I've managed to round up, I must always be aware of who I am, and that I could "react" to life's stresses by acting out in my eating disorders at any time. It's the way my brain was programmed for over 30 years. Through lots of hard work over the years, I know exactly who I am today.
I believe in not only being open-minded about eating disorder treatment options, but also researching and learning about it in every way I possibly can. Knowledge is power!
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Thank you Richelle! Very, very well said, especially "different approaches work for different people."
There are many different strong and emotional opinions when it comes to eating disorders (treatments, causes, etc.), especially when it involves a young person who is still dependent on their parents. Understandably, people are very passionate about this topic, especially the parents who are so desperate to help their sick child, who can die from their illness!
I completely understand that parents who have used a specific treatment that "worked" for their child would initially tend to feel that "their way" is "the only right way." It's what has saved their child's life, to this point! I'm sure I would feel exactly the same way if I'd encountered what these parents have been through!!! These parents have been through hell (a hell I cannot imagine!), and they most definitely mean well in stating their thoughts and opinions. They are only trying to help others, by sharing their stories of what worked for them.
I do, however, think it's so important to always keep an open mind. Not everyone of us are the same. Some of us have used different approaches that have worked for us. It does not mean "our way" is superior to what worked for these parents; it's only what worked for us and may also work for someone else (just like "their way" worked for them).
Personally, I believe that eating disorders are a "reaction" to certain stresses in life (no matter what age - everyone has stresses in their lives, even young people!). As a woman who has suffered from eating disorders for decades, I know what has worked for me. And I believe that I've had eating disorders for so many, many years that I need to be prepared for it to rear it's ugly head at any time. I must be prepared for this, so that if/when it happens, I'll recognize it for what it is, and not allow it to get out of control again.
Unfortunately, my own eating disorders began at age 12 and my parents did not recognize it for what it was (in the mid-70's). Now, as a grown woman and a parent myself, I've lived independently on my own since I was 18, I am fully responsible for myself and my own emotional/physical health and well-being.
What works for me? I've been seeing the same counselor/therapist every week for the past 4 years. She is herself a recovering anorexic (she's 54 now, but was hospitalized at age 13 in a communist country). She understands exactly what I go through in my life (I've been a single parent for 15 years, she was a single parent for 14 years). Sometimes, it's as if we've lived the same life! She's not only my counselor, she is my friend, my advocate, my no. 1 cheerleader!
Along with my wonderful, special counselor, I have an awesome family doctor (same dr. for over 14 years - who is not only open minded, but always well read and up to date on current treatment options, for everything), a great nutritionist who specifically treats eating disorders (also a recovering anorexic herself), and a psychiatrist who treats eating disorders and addictions (she used to teach at two well known medical schools).
Still, even with all the wonderful support I've managed to round up, I must always be aware of who I am, and that I could "react" to life's stresses by acting out in my eating disorders at any time. It's the way my brain was programmed for over 30 years. Through lots of hard work over the years, I know exactly who I am today.
I believe in not only being open-minded about eating disorder treatment options, but also researching and learning about it in every way I possibly can. Knowledge is power!
Peace to You All!!!
June 9, 2009 - 5:13pmShelley
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