Eating Disorder Hope Blog Update

To our dear Visitors and Friends:

We wish to thank you for your continued support and loyalty to Eating Disorder Hope.  Recently, we have made several changes to our websites and blogs, and as a result, we will no longer be posting to this particular blog.  We would like to re-direct you to our new blog, found here.  You can also follow Eating Disorder Hope on Facebook for up-to-date articles, resources, and support for eating disorders and access our website at www.eatingdisorderhope.com.  We thank you for your patience during this time and hope you will continue to choose Eating Disorder Hope for your one stop resource for eating disorder treatment information and recovery tools.  We look forward to continually serving you!  Thank you for being a friend of Eating Disorder Hope.

Blessings,

Eating Disorder Hope

Overcoming and healing from Trauma

If you or someone you love has experienced trauma, it may seem difficult to imagine a life with joy and peace after suffering something so painful. It is likely that you may feel disconnected or unable to reclaim your life. How do you put all the pieces back together after a trauma experience? Eating disorders, though self-destructive, delusively create a sense of safety and relief from pain, which is a way that many individuals seek alleviation from the anguish associated with their trauma experience. Dr. Kim Dennis, medical director for Timberline Knolls, shares invaluable advice from her personal experience and knowledge of the recovery journey from trauma. She explains how taking action and learning how to engage mind and body helps break the disassociation that often results from a traumatic experience, which is commonly the root of eating disorders and addictions. She also disuccses how healing does not occur in isolation but rather, in a community connecting with others who are able to guide, encourage, and support. To learn more about the healing journey from trauma and the connection with eating disorders, please listen to this podcast with Dr. Kim Dennis on Your Life After Trauma with Michele Rosenthal.

Hunger for Hope: Sex and Skinny Conference

Women today are facing various obstacles that can challenge their ability to thrive and flourish.  Some of these struggles include eating disorders, trauma, and body image issues.  With the startling statistics that reveal how three out of four women have eating issues, and one out of four women has experienced sexual abuse, that chances that you or someone you love has been affected in this way are likely.  The good news is that there is hope for healing and recovery, and the prospect of achieving wholeness and wellness again is possible-no matter the circumstance.  Thankfully, there are several helpful resources available that promote recovery for those affected by these disorders. 

FINDINGbalance, a leading Christian resource for eating and body image issues, in conjunction with its sponsors, including Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, are holding a special conference that address these specific types of issues.  Hungry for Hope: Sex and Skinny, will be held June 21-24, 2012 at Gen Eyrie in Colorado Springs.  This important conference will address spiritual teachings that promote a healing path for recovery from the common issues that women today might struggle with, including anorexia, bulimia, exercise addiction, and trauma.  Designed as a retreat to inspire, encourage, and equip sufferers, professionals, and community members alike, this special event is not one to be missed! To learn more about the Hungry for Hope Event or to register for this conference, please continue reading here.

Eating Disorders in Adulthood

Because of the many stereotypes that are created about eating disorders, often through the distorted perception of the media, it can be generalized that eating disorders only affect young adolescent females.  However, this couldn’t be farther from the truth.  Eating Disorders can develop during times of transition or significant life changes, which can instigate feelings of vulnerability or emotional stress.  Adulthood often entails considerable transitional time periods, such as the birth of a child, children leaving the home, martial problems or the death of family members or friends, to name a few examples.  If a woman or a man is unable to cope with the emotions that may arise during these difficult life events, they may become susceptible to developing an eating disorder.

If you or someone you love is concerned about eating disorder habits, please read this article to learn more about adult eating disorders.  If an eating disorder is developing or progressing, it is important to be aware of the signs for early detection and treatment, such as increased amount of time spent exercising or engaging in extreme dieting, changes in social functioning, or drastic weight changes.  The keys for establishing freedom from an eating disorder are recognition, acceptance and reaching out for help. There is always hope for recovery from an eating disorder, no matter what your age or period of life you may be in. 

Understanding Co-Occurring Disorders

Dual-diagnoses are common in individuals struggling with addictive type illness, such as an eating disorder or substance abuse.  This means that if you or a loved one is recovering from an addictive disorder, you may also be at risk for developing a co-occurring issue, such as drug abuse, self-harm, or sexual addiction, that needs to be addressed to get to the root of the problem.  Research has shown that eating disorders, in specific, have the potential to create alterations in the brain’s reward system, which can increase the risk of other addictive illnesses developing, such as substance abuse. Commonalities to both substance abuse and eating disorders include compulsivity around addictive behaviors, feelings of powerlessness and unmanageability.  Also, having a family history of addictive disorders or history of trauma are overlapping factors that can also contribute to an increased risk.

Treatment options for co-occurring disorders include various forms of psychotherapy, music therapy, movement therapy, medication management, and individual/family therapy.  Other helpful models for recovery from co-occurring disorders include the 12 Step Program, which reinforces the necessary steps to take to overcome addiction and encourage overall wholesomeness.  Comprehensive treatment will ensure that any co-occurring issues that may be unresolved or hidden behind an eating disorder will be properly addressed to promote healing and recovery.  Learn more insight about this topic by listening to this blog talk radio post.

Imagine Me Beyond What You See

Creativity: a beautiful way to promote and foster positive body image and recovery from eating disorders. Simple, but profound. Through art and expression, individuals can explore and externalize their hopes, fears, goals, and ideas. The International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (iaedp) recently hosted the 2nd annual International Body Image Art Contest for professionals and individuals. To see the winner “She is a Tree of Life” (as well as honorable mentions) you can follow the press release—Imagine Me Beyond What You See.

Written by Rachel Bailey

Identifying a Loved One May Be Struggling with Bulimia

It is difficult to come to terms with any kind of health concern that a friend or family member suffers.  This difficulty is doubled when the suffering individual may not have acknowledged their own condition yet.  When that health condition may be an eating disorder, it can be a delicate subject to bring up, that requires respectful and caring discussion with the individual. The article Identifying a Loved One May Be Struggling with Bulimia is a great resource to consider if you are looking for some direction on how to handle your concerns about someone who may have bulimia.

Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center Names Hariclia Hristea, MD as Staff Psychiatrist

 
A treatment center is valued for the quality of its staff and treatment.  Get to know the leaders of an eating disorder treatment center and you will see the trickle down effect of their character, professionalism and devotion to the field in the doctors, nurses, therapists and support staff of the treatment center.  Many treatment centers offer a wide array of useful treatments for eating disorders, such as cognitive behavior therapy, dialectic behavior therapy, equine therapy, etc. but only a few treatment centers offer the commitment to excellence in their staff that Timberline Knolls does.  Please join us in warmly welcoming Dr. Hariclia Hristea to the staff of Timberline Knolls Resident Treatment Center.

Read the press release at:  http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/timberline-knolls-residential-treatment-center-names-hariclia-hristea-md-as-staff-psychiatrist-146813835.html

Eating Disorder Hope is honored to announce that Ranch 2300 is now listed in our exclusive National Eating Disorder Specialist Library

Residential treatment for eating disorders and related conditions (addiction, depression, anxiety, etc) is scarce in Texas.  Yet the need is great.  That is why we are particularly excited to announce that Ranch 2300 has opened, just outside of Lubbock, and is offering premiere treatment for anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and co-occurring disorders.  We hope you will check out Ranch 2300 and help us welcome their needed services to Texas!

Vogue Mom Encourages Daughter to Lose Weight: Helpful or Harmful Approach?

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We are constantly bombarded with messages from the media that we should be thin and lean, and preferably, look like one of the models in magazines, on TV, on billboards, etc.  Sadly, many kids face this pressure at home, too.  Well meaning parents, alarmed by concern about their child's weight and health, often resort to imposed food restriction and diets to help their child "be healthy", "fit in", etc.

This can be problematic because once dieting and food restriction are enforced, it is not uncommon for the child to then develop a tormented relationship with food that can lead to eating disorders, body image disturbances and depression.

On that note, please read Dr. Kimberly Dennis' thoughts about the recent controversy over the Vogue mother's efforts to help her daughter lose weight

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