Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Eating disorder takes toll on family
MILLBANK — There’s Jolene. And then there’s Ed. Separating their daughter from her insidious eating disorder is the only way for John and Miriam Kuepfer to cope.
“We could be angry at Ed, but we still dearly love our daughter,” John said.
The Millbank family’s battle with the eating disorder has gone on for seven years since Jolene was 10, and still they’re trying to pull their lives back together.
...Continue reading here.
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If you are a parent of a child who has been struggling with an eating disorder, know that there is hope for their recovery and for a life of freedom from this struggle. What have you experienced through your journey that may be of encouragement to others who are going through something similar?
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Court Ruling Requires Insurer to Pay Cost of Residential Treatment for Eating Disorder
PRESS RELEASE
EDMONDS, Wash., Nov 29, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- In the wake of a federal court ruling this summer that a California woman's insurance company should pay for residential treatment that she received for anorexia nervosa, psychologist Dr. Gregory Jantz echoed the court's opinion that residential care can be medically necessary to treat severe eating disorders.
Dr. Jantz, a nationally renowned specialist in eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, said that round-the-clock care can be required for such disorders because treating them effectively involves constantly monitoring patients' food intake and retention.
"Even intensive outpatient programs for eating disorders don't allow the opportunities for observation and intervention that a residential setting affords to therapists, nutritionists and nurses," said Dr. Jantz, who founded and operates The Center for Counseling and Health Resources, a residential treatment center based in Edmonds, Wash. Dr. Jantz is also the author of many books, including the best-selling Hope, Help and Healing for Eating Disorders, and operates the eating disorders website Caring Online.
According to Jantz, the California case revolved around Jeanene Harlick, an anorexia sufferer who received lifesaving treatment several years ago at a residential facility in St. Louis. Harlick had battled anorexia for more than 20 years, and when her condition worsened in 2006 despite intensive outpatient therapy, she checked into the Castlewood Treatment Center. Staff at Castlewood had to use a feeding tube to sufficiently increase Harlick's caloric intake.
Jantz said that Harlick's insurance company, Blue Shield of California, refused to pay for her nine-month stay at Castlewood, likening it to assisted living care, which her policy did not cover. Harlick's lawyers argued that undergoing residential treatment for anorexia is more comparable to receiving care at a skilled nursing facility, something that was covered by her policy.
The case hinged on application of California's 1999 mental health parity law. Parity laws were passed by some states to require insurers to cover treatment of mental illnesses to the same extent that they cover medical care or surgical procedures for physical ailments and injuries. A federal mental health parity law was passed in 2008, and the Harlick ruling is expected to have repercussions throughout the health care and health insurance industries.
SOURCE: The Center for Counseling and Health Resources
The Center for Counseling and Health Resources
Ann McMurray, 888-771-5166
AnnM@aplaceofhope.com
Copyright Business Wire 2011 http://www.marketwatch.com/story/court-ruling-requires-insurer-to-pay-cost-of-residential-treatment-for-eating-disorder-2011-11-29
Monday, November 28, 2011
Many Anorexics Struggle with ‘Authentic’ Self
A new report concludes that people with anorexia nervosa struggle with questions about their real, or “authentic,” self.
Researchers believe an understanding of the conflict has implications for compulsory treatment.
Clinicians believe an approach that explores ideas of authenticity may represent a new therapeutic avenue and could provide insights into whether compulsory treatment can be justified.
Researchers in the UK interviewed 29 women who were being treated for anorexia nervosa at clinics throughout the south of England. In the interview, women were asked about how they viewed their condition, including their understanding of it, how they feel about compulsory treatment, and their thoughts about the impact of anorexia on decision-making.
Although the researchers did not ask about authenticity or identity, almost all of the participants spoke in terms of an “authentic self.” Moreover, researchers report that, “for almost all, the relationship between anorexia nervosa and this authentic self was a significant issue.”
Participants characterized this relationship in different ways. Many saw anorexia as separate from their real self. Some expressed the idea of a power struggle between their real and inauthentic self. Others said that other people could provide support to enable the authentic self to gain strength within the struggle.
The discovery that patients view their illness as separate from their authentic self is viewed by researchers as a sign of hope.
...Continue reading here
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If you are struggling with anorexia, what might be some of the difficulties you are experiencing in embracing your 'authentic self'?
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Exclusive Interview: Tracey Gold (Starving Secrets)
Source: http://www.popstar.com
Actress Tracey Gold has had her own share of growing pains, but now she's helping others cope with their own.
The actress, best known for her role as Carol Seaver on the 1980's sit-com Growing Pains, has created a new reality show for Lifetime called "Starving Secrets." The show addresses the issue of anorexia, a disease that she herself has publicly fought and won.
Through what she calls "an amazing support system," Tracy has risen above the disease that plagued her and has established herself as an actress, producer and advocate, while living happily with her husband and four sons in suburban L.A.
At the end of the day, it's the simple things in life that make her happy and keep her grounded. We recently had the chance to speak with Tracey about her new show, and what inspired her to create it. As she now enters the reality ring to do battle with anorexia - this time with others who are affected- her mission is clear.
Through her own experience with the disease, she intends to offer treatment, hope, and ultimately, healing to those affected by what she calls a "lonely, isolating" disease. With the premier date set for December 2nd, Tracey is hoping that "Starving Secrets" will get people thinking and talking.
In the meantime, here's what she said to us.
...Continue reading interview here.
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If you have been in recovery from anorexia, what might you be willing to share from your journey that may be an encouragement to others who are struggling?
Actress Tracey Gold has had her own share of growing pains, but now she's helping others cope with their own.
The actress, best known for her role as Carol Seaver on the 1980's sit-com Growing Pains, has created a new reality show for Lifetime called "Starving Secrets." The show addresses the issue of anorexia, a disease that she herself has publicly fought and won.
Through what she calls "an amazing support system," Tracy has risen above the disease that plagued her and has established herself as an actress, producer and advocate, while living happily with her husband and four sons in suburban L.A.
At the end of the day, it's the simple things in life that make her happy and keep her grounded. We recently had the chance to speak with Tracey about her new show, and what inspired her to create it. As she now enters the reality ring to do battle with anorexia - this time with others who are affected- her mission is clear.
Through her own experience with the disease, she intends to offer treatment, hope, and ultimately, healing to those affected by what she calls a "lonely, isolating" disease. With the premier date set for December 2nd, Tracey is hoping that "Starving Secrets" will get people thinking and talking.
In the meantime, here's what she said to us.
...Continue reading interview here.
****************************************************
If you have been in recovery from anorexia, what might you be willing to share from your journey that may be an encouragement to others who are struggling?
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Top 10 Tips for Eating Disorder Recovery
Top 10 Tips for Eating Disorder Recovery
@ Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC
Updated October 17, 2011
Updated October 17, 2011
Self Acceptance ~ Health ~ Well-being
- Work with an eating disorder specialist treatment team if at all possible, if not, seek out some of the many wonderful self help programs available to assist you in recovery.
- Develop self acceptance through practicing compassion toward self.
- Develop a positive and self nurturing internal dialogue.
- Get treatment for co-occurring disorders such as anxiety and depression.
- Practice mindfulness and living in the moment.
- Listen to and honor your feelings.
- Eat well and listen to your body's hunger and fullness signs.
- Accept your genetic makeup and appreciate your body.
- Have a relapse prevention or correction plan.
- Develop faith and trust in God and let go of what you cannot control.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Skills to Empower You for the Challenge of Going Home for the Holidays
...reprinted from the article Ozzie & Harriet's' House it isn't: The Holiday Family Meal and other topics to Binge on... by: Dr. Deborah Russo, Clinical Psychologist @ Remuda Ranch
As the holidays approach, here are a set of skills to empower you for the challenge of going home for the holidays:
- Use limit setting- take my own car and leave if conversations begin going south, hot and heated and negative.
- Take along a supportive friend with me; I don't have to go it alone.
- Practice using rational thoughts and mindful eating.
- Set some reasonable goals for myself that include realistic expectations.
- Pay attention to my feelings and remember to get up from the table and distract myself from desire to binge.
- Use boundaries and stay connected to myself
- Eat in balance, moderation and avoid skipping meals so I am not already in deprivation mode before I get there...finish reading article
Compulsive Over Exercising Among Female Athletes
By Samantha Van Vleet
Source: http://sports.yahoo.com
Very few will argue with the fact that physical activity, such as that involved in participation in sports, has numerous health benefits. However, many female athletes who suffer from eating disorders participate in what is known as compulsive over exercising.
Compulsive exercise among female athletes may be related to other eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia, but in many cases, compulsive over exercising may be a disorder by itself.
What is compulsive over exercising?
Who is at risk for compulsive over exercising?
Women and girls who participate in aesthetic sports, such as cheerleading, gymnastics and figure skating, are at greater risk for developing eating disorders. Women and girls who suffer from other eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia and eating disorder not otherwise specified (ED-NOS), are more likely to experience compulsive over exercising.
...Continue reading here.
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What are the risks associated with compulsive over exercising? What are ways to become involved in balanced physical activity?
Source: http://sports.yahoo.com
Very few will argue with the fact that physical activity, such as that involved in participation in sports, has numerous health benefits. However, many female athletes who suffer from eating disorders participate in what is known as compulsive over exercising.
Compulsive exercise among female athletes may be related to other eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia, but in many cases, compulsive over exercising may be a disorder by itself.
What is compulsive over exercising?
Individuals who suffer from compulsive over exercising engage in physical activity and exercise beyond the recommendations of safe levels of physical activity. Women suffering from compulsive over exercising find themselves constantly trying to work out and do whatever they find necessary to make the time to exercise, including skipping school and work, or hiding from others to exercise. Those who participate in compulsive over exercising are often have the goal of burning large amounts of calories to relieve the guilt of having eaten. Many think compulsive over exercising as a way for an eating-disordered individual to purge without inducing vomiting or bowel movements.
Who is at risk for compulsive over exercising?
Women and girls who participate in aesthetic sports, such as cheerleading, gymnastics and figure skating, are at greater risk for developing eating disorders. Women and girls who suffer from other eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia and eating disorder not otherwise specified (ED-NOS), are more likely to experience compulsive over exercising.
...Continue reading here.
******************************************************
What are the risks associated with compulsive over exercising? What are ways to become involved in balanced physical activity?
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