I don't doubt that there is evidence that those suffering from an ED have some type of malfunctioning brain circuitry. But, the problem with attributing an eating disorder to a biologically based predisposition toward it is that testing is done AFTER the ED sufferer has developed the ED. I suspect that it is far more likely that the relentless environmental stress these women have been subjected to caused the brain to malfunction. I've read articles that demonstrate that, following successful therapy, brain scans of individuals who had recovered from a mental illness no longer suffered from any brain abnormality.
The "biologically based predisposition" argument can leave sufferers of any mental illness believing that they are genetically flawed and that full recovery is not possible. And, again, I don't buy that argument. It also possible that attributing an ED to genetics could discourage ED sufferers from confronting the emotionally based hostility/fear at that the root of the ED. Worse, parents that have failed their son or daughter, can cite the predisposition argument to absolve themselves of blame and, tragically, continue mistreating their child. I suspect that one reason that individuals find it so difficult to overcome an ED is that those who caused or contributed to the development of these EDs refuse to amend their behavior toward the ED sufferer. Indeed, the unfortunate behaviors that accompany an ED may very well cause bad parents to treat the ED sufferer worse. How difficult must it be for a person suffering from an emotional illness to recover, despite therapy, if those that made the individual sick fail or refuse to amend their ways? Now, the person suffering from a emotional illness is subjected to the same unhealthy environment while having to grapple with the "shame" of being labeled with a disorder.
While my friend who suffers from anorexia can be difficult to reach, it is not her fault. How could it be different? How difficult must it be for someone who has been so relentlessly emotionally abused to trust anyone? To not fear exposure of her most inner most pain and subsequent rejection and abandonment when the people who should have cared for her repeatedly let her down? And how much more difficult becomes the task of establishing a foundation of trust with her if well-meaning, but misguided, experts tell her that she's just a genetically flawed individual? My friend is not genetically flawed -- she's in pain, encased in a protective shell, and, I believe, hoping someone she can truly trust will come along to help extricate her from her pain.
Comment Reply
I don't doubt that there is evidence that those suffering from an ED have some type of malfunctioning brain circuitry. But, the problem with attributing an eating disorder to a biologically based predisposition toward it is that testing is done AFTER the ED sufferer has developed the ED. I suspect that it is far more likely that the relentless environmental stress these women have been subjected to caused the brain to malfunction. I've read articles that demonstrate that, following successful therapy, brain scans of individuals who had recovered from a mental illness no longer suffered from any brain abnormality.
The "biologically based predisposition" argument can leave sufferers of any mental illness believing that they are genetically flawed and that full recovery is not possible. And, again, I don't buy that argument. It also possible that attributing an ED to genetics could discourage ED sufferers from confronting the emotionally based hostility/fear at that the root of the ED. Worse, parents that have failed their son or daughter, can cite the predisposition argument to absolve themselves of blame and, tragically, continue mistreating their child. I suspect that one reason that individuals find it so difficult to overcome an ED is that those who caused or contributed to the development of these EDs refuse to amend their behavior toward the ED sufferer. Indeed, the unfortunate behaviors that accompany an ED may very well cause bad parents to treat the ED sufferer worse. How difficult must it be for a person suffering from an emotional illness to recover, despite therapy, if those that made the individual sick fail or refuse to amend their ways? Now, the person suffering from a emotional illness is subjected to the same unhealthy environment while having to grapple with the "shame" of being labeled with a disorder.
While my friend who suffers from anorexia can be difficult to reach, it is not her fault. How could it be different? How difficult must it be for someone who has been so relentlessly emotionally abused to trust anyone? To not fear exposure of her most inner most pain and subsequent rejection and abandonment when the people who should have cared for her repeatedly let her down? And how much more difficult becomes the task of establishing a foundation of trust with her if well-meaning, but misguided, experts tell her that she's just a genetically flawed individual? My friend is not genetically flawed -- she's in pain, encased in a protective shell, and, I believe, hoping someone she can truly trust will come along to help extricate her from her pain.
November 2, 2009 - 8:28amThis Comment
Reply