Author: frivvy89
Believe it or not, the holidays don’t have to revolve around sweet treats and savory plates. Creating new traditions while in eating disorder recovery is a wonderful way to celebrate. Whether you’re getting active outdoors or decorating inside, there are many ways to enjoy the holiday season without experiencing the pressure of food-related triggers. Practice gratitude. If you’re surrounded by friends and/or family who love you, soak it in! Consider setting a place card at each seat with one positive word that describes each person you hold dear. If you liked your treatment center, you might want to send a…
Caring for an adult child with an eating disorder from the perspective of a parent by Monte Nido Watching your adult child struggle with an eating disorder can be difficult, especially if their diagnosis comes when they are an adult. Parents often feel a deep sense of love and responsibility, and this journey can bring up feelings of helplessness and uncertainty. Here are a few thoughts on navigating this process. The importance of getting help One of the first steps in supporting your adult child is encouraging them to seek professional treatment for their eating disorder. Eating disorders are complex mental…
With the New Year comes pressures to start new and create goals that spur change. The New Year is often a time of reflection, and with that often comes a desire to either change current patterns or start something new entirely. Often, in the form of resolutions, we fall into the habit of committing to something new at the beginning of the year, only finding it difficult to sustain in the months to come. Why is that, and is this something that is beneficial for those in eating disorder recovery? Going Beyond a Resolution Resolutions seem effective, in theory, and…
Evie Gardiner tries hard to avoid advertisements for weight-loss injections, but they seem to crop up everywhere. The 28-year-old Sydney PhD student says treatments that include the drugs are “marketed quite aggressively”, even if the ads seem “kind of vague”.“There should be stricter guidelines and restrictions on that sort of advertising,” Gardiner says. “I’m definitely lucky to be in a place now, personally, where I have a much better relationship with food and my body and health.”The ads are for digital healthcare companies – not drug manufacturers – which typically offer “treatment plans” for weight loss that include the GLP1…
Why do rates of eating disorders tend to be higher among military dependents compared to the civilian population?According to the study “Parental Deployment and Distress, and Adolescent Disordered Eating in Prevention-Seeking Military Dependents,” compared to their civilian peers, military dependents face additional stressors that may contribute to the development of an eating disorder.Stressors include deployments, their parents’ long work hours, and frequent moving. They see their parents maintaining their appearance in uniform standards, which is crucial for career advancement. Military personnel may engage in disordered eating behaviors to meet the Physical Readiness Test (PRT) standards, conducted once or twice a…
November is Diabetes Awareness month, and with the holidays around the corner, we want to shed light on the 38.4 million Americans living with diabetes. During the holidays, sugary treats are all around. These festive sweets may be delicious, but they pose a threat to those living with diabetes whose blood sugar is already too high. People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are prescribed insulin to regulate their blood glucose levels because their bodies do not naturally make enough. Some individuals have such an intense fear of gaining weight that they strictly limit, skip or avoid taking their insulin dosage…
“I got a text from Sophie’s best friend telling me that Sophie is throwing away her lunch at school. Should I confront her?” “The toilet smelled like vomit after Andy took his shower last night. He ate so much food at dinnertime. I think he might be purging. Should I confront him?” “I thought I saw some cuts on Bianca’s wrist this morning, but she pulled her sleeves down before I could get a better look. Should I confront her?” Parents of my adolescent patients frequently ask me if they should confront their child when they receive concerning information about…
The holidays can be a difficult time to navigate eating disorder recovery. Let’s explore some tips on how to get ready for the season. Throughout the year, eating disorder recovery has its ups and downs, but one of the most challenging seasons can be the holidays. No matter your religion or traditions, the holidays often center around food. With added attention on food recovery can feel difficult. Add the stress of seeing family and friends and trying to make time for all the events, and you can see why this season requires additional support and preparations. It is essential to…
Recognizing Autism Symptoms in Adults4 minutes What is autism? The term “autism” was first introduced in 1943 by the psychiatrist Leo Kanner who was studying the behavior of children. Today, autism is known to be a lifelong developmental disability affecting how people communicate and interact with the world. Current estimates range between 1-in-44 to 1-in-100 people who are on the autism spectrum. That’s at least five million people in the US, or 1.5% of the population. Many believe the prevalence of autism may be much higher. Autism is also referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or Autism Spectrum Condition…
You may feel confused, scared, frustrated, and maybe even hopeless if your teen has an eating disorder like anorexia nervosa. You have seen your fun-loving and bright teen change drastically, becoming a shell of their usual self. There are many types of treatments for eating disorders that work for teens and their families. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), Family-Based Treatment (FBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) are a few of the common treatment modalities that are used in eating disorder recovery. Additionally, there are different levels of care available for those with eating disorders, such as…