Recovery Wishes For This New Year's Eve

A poem as the new year approaches.

"At the sound of the tolling midnight bell a brand new year will begin. Let's raise our hopes in a confident toast, to the promise it ushers in.
May your battles be few, your pleasures many, your wishes and dreams fulfilled. May your confidence stand in the face of loss and give you the strength to rebuild.
May peace of heart fill all your days, may serenity grace your soul. May tranquil moments bless your life and keep your spirits whole."
Unknown

Wishing you all a wonderful and safe New Year's Eve.


See sidebar for links to Recovery Quotes of The Week and Inspirational Recovery Quotes.

Poll: The New Year And Your Eating Disorder


How Does The Arrival Of A New Year Make You Feel About Recovery And Your Eating Disorder?

New Year's brings with it different emotions for different people. Some view it as new beginning and find strength and encouragement in the possibilities it holds. Others feel remorse for the year that has passed and the opportunities that slipped through their fingers. Some feel neither encouraged or remorseful. How do you feel about your recovery and/or eating disorder with the arrival of the new year? If you'd like to participate in the poll it is located in the sidebar.

If the poll is lacking words you find important to your Recovery and /or Eating Disorder please feel free to add them in the comment section of this post.

Completed Poll Results:

How does the Arrival of a New Year make you feel about recovery and/or your eating disorder? (choose all that apply):
votes:77

Hopeful 32 (41%)

Renewed 16 (20%)

Fearful 25 (32%)

Anxious 29 (37%)

Excited 11 (14%)

Angry 8 (10%)

Depressed 22 (28%)

Strengthened 12 (15%)

Ready to try again 22 (28%)

Stressed 21 (27%)

Encouraged 6 (7%)

Pressured 24 (31%)

Inspired 13 (16%)

Despondent 2 (2%)

Proud of my recovery 10 (12%)

Hopeless 14 (18%)

Thrilled 5 (6%)

Nervous 30 (38%)

It has no meaning to me 6 (7%)

I'm not in recovery 11 (14%)

I'm in recovery 17 (22%)

I want to recover 31 (40%)

I don't want to recover 21 (27%)



The results of additional completed polls can be seen here.

background picture: publicdomainpictures.net

Recovery Quote Of The Week: Dec 29


"For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice." T.S. Eliot


Please see sidebar for links to more Recovery Quotes of The Week and Inspirational Recovery Quotes.


picture source:publicdomainpictures.net

Eating Disorder Information: Links Worth Checking Out



NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association):

Eating Disorders Survival Guide
Document of Insurance Issues
Stories of Hope
Men and Boys
Family and Friends


AED (Academy For Eating Disorders):

Risk Factors
Diagnosis of Eating Disorders
Course and Outcomes of Eating Disorders
Consequences of Eating Disorders


F.E.A.S.T. (Families Empowered And Supporting Treatment Of Eating Disorders):

Warning Signs
My Loved One Has Just Been Diagnosed
Rights of Caregivers
Defining Recovery


Body Image Health


Some links from Weighing The Facts:
Eating Disorder Resources
When You Can't Afford Treatment
More Important Links


*See sidebar for additional links.




picture source: http://www.pdclipart.org/displayimage.php?album=147&pos=27

Recovery Quote Of The Week: Dec 22


"A snowflake is one of the most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick together." Unkown


Please see sidebar for links to more Recovery Quotes of The Week and Inspirational Recovery Quotes.

picture source: Publicdomainpictures.net

Sugar Addiction: Princeton Study


Sugar Can Be Addictive, Princeton Scientist Says
by Kitta MacPherson
Animal studies show sugar dependence

A Princeton University scientist will present new evidence today demonstrating that sugar can be an addictive substance, wielding its power over the brains of lab animals in a manner similar to many drugs of abuse.

Professor Bart Hoebel and his team in the Department of Psychology and the Princeton Neuroscience Institute have been studying signs of sugar addiction in rats for years. Until now, the rats under study have met two of the three elements of addiction. They have demonstrated a behavioral pattern of increased intake and then showed signs of withdrawal. His current experiments captured craving and relapse to complete the picture.

"If binging on sugar is really a form of addiction, there should be long-lasting effects in the brains of sugar addicts," Hoebel said. "Craving and relapse are critical components of addiction, and we have been able to demonstrate these behaviors in sugar-binging rats in a number of ways."

At the annual meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology in Scottsdale, Ariz., Hoebel will report on profound behavioral changes in rats that, through experimental conditions, have been trained to become dependent on high doses of sugar.

"We have the first set of comprehensive studies showing the strong suggestion of sugar addiction in rats and a mechanism that might underlie it," Hoebel said. The findings eventually could have implications for the treatment of humans with eating disorders, he said.

Lab animals, in Hoebel's experiments, that were denied sugar for a prolonged period after learning to binge worked harder to get it when it was reintroduced to them. They consumed more sugar than they ever had before, suggesting craving and relapse behavior. Their motivation for sugar had grown. "In this case, abstinence makes the heart grow fonder," Hoebel said.
Read in full.




sources: http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S22/88/56G31/index.xml?section=topstories
picture: pdphoto.org

Eating Disorders: Recent News


New Therapy Hope For Eating Disorders
A specially-created form of cognitive behavioural therapy could be the key to helping people with eating disorders, say UK researchers.

Experts believe four out of five of those who suffer from eating disorders could benefit from 'talking therapies' after a study by Oxford University discovered most sufferers achieved 'complete and lasting' improvement.

The treatment is currently only available for bulimia patients but with over a million Britons suffering with some kind of eating disorder, medical experts believe cognitive behavioural therapy should be available to all.
Read in full.



Sugar Addiction: Do you need a 12 step program?

Craving sweets on a regular basis? If so, you may just have an addiction. Whether your yen is for chocolate, cake, cookies, or even sweet tea you could be addicted to sugar. Some are comparing the tendencies of sugar addicts to those of a drug addict. Does it warrant a 12-step program? Probably not, but consumers should be aware of the issue, if for nothing else than the amount of calories consumed.

There are some people who crave sweets on a daily basis and get their fix with a cookie or a slice of cake, others only get a sweet craving a few times a month but aren’t satisfied until the entire box of Oreos are gone. It seems, based on recent research, no matter which group you fall into, if you frequently crave sweets you may have a sugar addiction and it could affect your brain. Sugar and sweeteners seems to start chemical changes in the brain, as seen in addicts who use drugs such as cocaine and heroin.
Read in full.



Eating Disorder Sites Can Have Negative Impact
You can find anything on the Internet these days, including Web sites devoted to eating disorders. Commonly known as pro-ana or pro-mia, short for pro anorexia and pro bulimia, since around the year 2000, hundreds of Web sites have cropped up spouting these eating disorders as a lifestyle choice, not a disease. Complete with tips on binging and purging, "thinspiration" photos of extremely thin celebrities and weight loss challenges, the pro-ana movement has gained many followers but just as many opponents. In recent years, there has been a backlash against pro-ana, with many Web providers shutting down these sites and many anti pro-ana protesters calling for all the Web sites to be shut down.

So the question remains, should pro-ana Web sites be banned from the Internet?

After developing an eating disorder at the age of 14, Angela Ross would spend two to three hours a day on pro-anorexia Web sites. Now the moderator of the Facebook group Stop Pro Ana, which currently has approximately 1,600 members, Ross, 18, is on a mission to spread awareness about the dangers of pro-ana.

"Getting on those Web sites definitely encouraged me to keep going with my eating disorder. And I don't want anyone else to fall into that trap like I did," Ross, of Roswell, NM, said. "I would personally love for all of these sites to be shut down."

According to research done at the University of Missouri, there is emerging evidence that Web sites promoting anorexia do have a negative impact. In a piece published in The International Journal of Eating Disorders, the research showed that young women who looked at anorexia sites later felt lower self esteem than the women in the study who were assigned to look at Web sites featuring conventional models.

Read in full.



Compulsion To Overeat Is Mainly In The Genes, Study Shows.

The genetic roots of obesity lie mainly in the brain, according to research that implicates inherited eating tendencies as one of the strongest influences over waistlines.

The discovery of seven genetic variants linked to obesity has suggested that DNA affects body shape mainly by changing eating behaviour, rather than by regulating fat storage.

Of the seven, five seem to be active in the brain, making it likely that work by fine-tuning appetite, the sense of fullness after eating, or even preferences for some foods over others.

The findings indicate that although genetic differences can help to explain why some people are overweight while others are slim, obesity cannot generally be blamed on genes that slow metabolism and allow fat to be laid down more easily.

Most of the genetic factors linked to obesity, which were found by two independent research teams, seem rather to work by altering the amount people eat. Some DNA profiles may simply make it easier or harder to control food consumption.

This insight demonstrates how nature and nurture are intertwined in the origins of common biological effects such as obesity. It is also encouraging for therapy, as it means that something people can control – their food intake — is ultimately responsible for weight gain even when genetic predisposition is also involved.

Read in full





sources:http://www.healthnews.com/nutrition-diet/sugar-addiction-do-you-need-a-12-step-program-2275.html
http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/news/health/294805/new-therapy-hope-for-eating-disorder-patients.html

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article5342552.ece
http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/local/story/375729.html

Eating Disorders: Inspirational Recovery Quotes #6


How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone.
-Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel-

Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul.
-Emily Dickenson-

A gentle breeze blowing in the right direction is better than a pair of strong oars.
- Canary Island Proverb-

People often say that 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder,' and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that you are the beholder. This empowers us to find beauty in places where others have not dared to look, including inside ourselves.
- Salma Hayek-

Happiness rarely keeps company with an empty stomach.
- Japanese Proverb-

Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor.
- Anne Lamott-

The journey is the reward.
-Chinese Proverb-

Remember that fear always lurks behind perfectionism. Confronting your fears and allowing yourself the right to be human can, paradoxically, make you a far happier and more productive person.
- David M. Burns-

You haven't failed until you quit trying.
- Anonymous-

You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however.
- Richard Bach-

How long should you try? Until.
-Jim Rohn-

A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner.
- Anonymous-

There are costs and risks to a program of action, but they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction.
-John F. Kennedy-

Success is the proper utilization of failure.
- Anonymous-

Your life will be no better than the plans you make and the action you take. You are the architect and builder of your own life, fortune, destiny.
-Alfred A. Montapert-

They are able because they think they are able.
-Virgil-

I have learned that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.
-Henry David Thoreau-

Great ability develops and reveals itself increasingly with every new assignment.
-Baltasar Gracian-

Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely.
-Auguste Rodin-

One cannot think crooked and walk straight.
- Anonymous-

Use what talent you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best.
- Henry Van Dyke-

Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr-

Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it.
- Ella Williams-

Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.
-John Wooden-

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.
-Epictetus-

We are betrayed by what is false within.
-George Meredith-

When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It's to enjoy each step along the way.
-Wayne Dyer-


See also Using Affirmations

See sidebar for more inspirational quotes and quotes of the week.

Recovery Quote Of The Week: December 12th


"Good timber does not grow with ease; the stronger the wind, the stronger the trees."
J. Willard Marriot


Please see:
*sidebar "Inspirational Quotes" and "Recovery Quotes of the Week" for links to more recovery quotes.

picture source:public domain pictures.net

When You Can't Afford Treatment For Your Eating Disorder



The current condition of the economy is causing a strain on most everyone's finances. Finding the needed funds for treatment, medication, and therapy has become an increasing problem. Many are finding themselves unemployed with the additional burden of having also lost their health insurance. In increasing numbers, people are now faced with having to choose between purchasing medication, food, or other necessities. A very dangerous position to be in.

If you find yourself in this situation here are some suggestions that may help you.


Affording Doctor /Therapy Visits: (Renegotiate Fees/Sliding Scale) Many Providers are willing to base their fee on your ability to pay. Do not be afraid to explain your situation and ask to renegotiate the current fee. If they are unable or unwilling to do so ask them for a referral. You can also search online for services in your area.


Affording Medication: Medication co pays can be expensive. Without insurance, some medications are just too costly for some to continue to afford.
  • Most drug companies offer Indigent Programs or Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) that provide medication for free to those that cannot afford to pay for them. Ask your doctor about these programs. They can help process the paperwork.
  • Check out the website of the pharmaceutical company for each of your medications. See what programs they may have listed to aid those in need.
  • Call the pharmaceutical company that makes your medication and speak to them directly about what programs they offer.
  • Some companies like Walmart and Costco offer 30 days worth of medication for $4 / $9 for a 90 day supply. See if your medications are on the list of prescriptions they offer at these prices. Print these lists and show them to your doctor. Ask if your current medication could be safely replaced by one that is listed.
  • Request Generic. If your doctor okays it, consider switching to generics. Generics give a substantial savings in cost while still providing the same active ingredients.

Affording Hospital Care: Emergencies can result hefty bills when you're lacking health insurance or are struggling financially. If you find yourself in this situation contact the hospital's financial department and inquire about charity care. Your bill can be significantly reduced to an affordable amount and may even result in you owing nothing, depending on your financial situation. If you do not qualify for the programs they offer, ask them to suggest other options. They will be aware of many programs, charities, and organizations that may be able to assist you. Note* You cannot be denied necessary hospital care based on your ability to pay. It is against the law.


Affording Eating Disorder Treatment: There are alternatives available to help see you through when funds are low.
  • If you need treatment for your ED and cannot afford it there are scholarships/grants offered by several treatment facilities and organizations. Contact them and explain your situation. If they cannot help you, ask them for suggestions of others that you can contact.
  • Search the Yellow Pages for Support Groups in your area. Most have a minimal or optional dues/donation fee.
  • Contact a Teaching Hospital or Mental Health Facility. Some offer free services as part of their training program.
  • Online Support is offered on many ED websites and it's free. Those there will also be able to help guide you in your search for assistance.

*
Be sure to contact your local Department of Social Services. You may qualify for financial aid, free or reduced medical coverage, and other programs designed to help in times of need.



picture source: publicdomainpictures.net

Recovery Quote Of The Week: December 4th


"Flowers grow out of darker moments." Corita Kent

Please see:
*sidebar "Inspirational Quotes" and "Recovery Quotes of the Week" for links to more recovery quotes.


picture source:pdphoto.org

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES: Hotlines, Websites, and Organizations



*Suicide Prevention: Hotlines, Websites, Organizations


HOTLINES:
click through to website where available.

Children In Immediate Risk Or Danger:
1-800-THE-LOST


Covenant House Org (youth):
1-800-999-9999



Girls and Boys Town National Hotline: 800-448-3001

Kids Peace: 1800-334-4KID (4543)

Kid Save: 1-800-543-7283

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI): 1-800-950-NAMI

National Clearinghouse on Family Support and Children's Mental Health: 800-628-1696

National Institute Of Mental Health (NIMH): 1-800-647-2642

National Mental Health AMerica: (MHA)
800-969-NMHA (6642)

National Resource Center on Homelessness and Mental Illness:
800-444-7415

Safeline: 800-522-7233

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: (SAMHSA)
24-Hour Toll-Free Referral Helpline
1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357)

Teenline: 800-522-TEEN (8336)

The Help Line USA: 1-866-334-4357

The Nationwide Crisis Hotline: 1-800-333-4444

Threshold Women's Mental Health: 0808 808 6000

Young Minds: 0800 018 2138

Youth Helpline: 0845 6347650

Schizophrenia Society of Ontario 1-800-449-6367


WEBSITES:
(see also above linked titles)

Family Aware Org

US Department of Veteran Affairs Mental Health Home

CDC: Mental Health Organizations by State

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)

Depression Alliance Org

MentalHelpnet

Canadian Mental Health Association

World Federation For Mental Health (WFMH)

European Federation of Associations of Families of People With Mental Illness



see also:

Self-Harm: Hotlines, Websites, Organizations

Sexual Abuse: Hotlines, Websites, Organizations

More Mental Health info and links

Mental Health Statistics and Resources




pic source:photobucket.com

Healthcare Reform: Help Keep It A Priority


"As he prepares to take office, President-elect Barack Obama faces many pressing issues. And some will urge him to defer efforts to achieve healthcare reform, suggesting that it will be too costly, too difficult, or not a sufficiently high priority."

The above postcard can be found at Mental Health America. Please fill one out and send it to help keep Healthcare Reform a priority.

sources:http://mentalhealthamerica.net/

Recovery Quote Of The Week: November 27


"Thanksgiving ... universal to all ages and all faiths. At whatever straws we must grasp, there is always time for gratitude and new beginnings."
J. Robert Moskin

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

*Please see sidebar for more recovery quotes and quotes of the week.

Recovery From An Eating Disorder Is Possible



A recovery video by elbie1230

See also:

Eating Disorder Recovery: Relapse Prevention

Eating Disorder Help: Hotlines, Organizations, and Websites

*UPDATED* Eating Disorder Help: Hotlines, Organizations, and Websites


*If you know of a hotline, website, and/or organization not listed here please leave me the information in the comment section and I'll be glad to add them.
Thank You.


Hotlines:

  • Anorexia Nervosa and Associate Disorders (ANAD) 1-630- 577-1330
  • Boys and girls Town National Hotline: 1-800- 448-3000
  • National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) 1-800-931-2237
  • Mental Health America: 1-800-969-NMHA
  • National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
  • Referrals to Eating Disorder specialists (US and Canada) 1-800-736-3739
  • The Eating Distress Helpline (Ireland):011-44-2600366
  • Thursday's Child National Call Center for at Risk Youth: 1-800-USA-KIDS
  • Youth Crisis Line: 1- 800-HIT-HOME

Resources: (links)


UK/Ireland: (some headings are links)



Recovery Quote Of The Week: November 19th



"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning but, anyone can start today and make a new ending." Maria Robinson.


Please see:
*sidebar "Inspirational Quotes" and "Recovery Quotes of the Week" for links to more recovery quotes.




picture source:publicdomainpicutes.net

Eating Disorders: A Look At What Others Are Talking About



Check out what others are talking about in these recent posts on the subject of EDs.

Medusa: THE SECRET OBSESSION: CHEWING AND SPITTING...THE "CHEW-AND-SPIT DIET”

ED Bites: Gathering on the internet, around their disorder

Actively Arielle: Your Life Raft in the Waters of Criticism

The F-Word: Dangerous experimental diet drugs get the boot

Are You Eating With Your Anorexic?: If it is changing your bones, imagine what it is doing to your frontal lobe...

Avidalegria: Subjectivity and science

Mental Health Update: Olanzapine for anorexia

Stop Eating Disorders: Eating Disorder Binge Response to Crisis: Part IV of VI



picture source:publicdomainpictures.net

Eating Disorders and Pregnancy: TV Documentary Is Looking For Your Experience


PREGNANT OR RECENTLY GIVEN BIRTH?


A LEADING TV COMPANY IN THE UK IS LOOKING FOR WOMEN TO TAKE PART IN A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT PREGNANCY AND BODY IMAGE FOR ITV1.


Are you/ or have you been pregnant whilst having an eating disorder?

We’d like to get a better understanding of what pregnant women with EDs are going through to try and spread awareness of this issue. The film will be a thoughtful and insightful look into this extremely sensitive subject.

We’re in the research stages of our production and are very keen to chat to women with no commitment to taking part in the documentary.


If you’re interested in having a chat or finding out more call Paula on
020 7013 4389 or e-mail:
paula.wittig@rdftelevision.com



All contact will be strictly confidential and does not commit you to the programme in any way.

picture source: geekphilosopher com

Recovery Quote Of The Week: November 10th


"You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf." John Kabot Zinn

Please see:
*sidebar "Inspirational Quotes" and "Recovery Quotes of the Week" for links to more recovery quotes.


picture source: Public-domain-photos.com

Relapse Prevention: Eating Disorder Recovery



Recovery is attainable and sustainable but remember, your eating disorder didn’t develop overnight and so it is to be expected that your recovery will likely be the same. Ups and downs, and slips and falls are to be expected. The recovery process is difficult but is worth every effort you put into it. Do not be discouraged if your first attempts do not bring the results you hoped for. Each step forward leads you closer to recovery. Each attempt strengthens the next.

Relapse Prevention

What are some common things you may experience that could have an affect on your recovery?
  • Stress
  • Death of a loved one
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Emotions: Feelings of guilt, shame, anger, abandonment, rejection
  • Fear of change, fear of recovery
  • Feeling powerless
  • Midterms, finals
  • Recent release from inpatient treatment
  • Emotional trauma
  • Discovery of issues in therapy

What can you do to prepare and better arm yourself? Several things.


Know the WARNING SIGNS OF RELAPSE:

  • Daily weighing
  • Letting your weight determine how your day will be
  • Skipping meals or purging
  • Over exercising/feeling a need to exercise more
  • Feeling out of control if not dieting
  • Feeling the need to escape from stress, family, therapy issues, etc
  • Feelings of hopelessness or sadness
  • Perfectionistic thinking returns and/or increases
  • Increasing need to be in control
  • Wearing only loose fitting clothes
  • Obsessive thoughts about food and/or weight
  • Increasing belief you can only be happy if you’re thin
  • Obsessing over your reflection
  • Dishonesty with therapist, friends, family, health care provider, etc
  • Avoiding situations that involve food
  • Feel fat though others assure you that you’re not
  • Feeling guilt after eating
  • Isolating yourself
  • Feeling anxious, worried, tense, and/or restlessness
  • Dwelling on past events
  • Inability to use your support systems
  • Avoiding certain foods because of calorie content
  • Suicidal thoughts

Prepare in Advance. Have a Game Plan in Place.


Make two sided lists:

  • Make a Coping Plan: On the left list the things that you feel may cause you to relapse. On the right list healthier, positive ways of dealing with each situation to help you to keep from resorting to old disordered behaviors in times of crisis. Keep this with you or in an easily accessed location.
  • Change your self-talk: On the left side list the negative names and derogatory statements you make about yourself. On the right list positive alternatives/affirmations. Carry this with you and pull it out when you find yourself being self negative.

Shift Your Focus

  • Be involved. Keep busy. Get involved in hobbies, crafts, and any positive activity that helps keep you busy and focused on things other than just your eating disorder and your recovery.
  • Take time out for yourself each day. Remember that you are important and deserve to take care of yourself.
  • Consider; Journaling. Meditation. Yoga. Art.
  • Do things you; are good at. take pride in. find enjoyable and fun.
  • Take a walk and enjoy the birds, nature, fresh air, and the world around you.
  • Increase your feelings of dignity, value and ability by doing something meaningful each day. Something that is a positive for the world or another human being, even if it’s only in a small way. The smallest of things can have a huge impact.

Reach Out!

Make a list of names and numbers of those you can contact for help when you find yourself facing a difficult experience or disordered thoughts/behaviors (including your therapist/ ED coordinator). Reaching out can be a difficult thing for some to do but do it. Each time you do, the next time will be easier.

Be Kind to Yourself

It’s not always possible to avoid slips or relapse. Do not let this be a reason to stop trying. There is no shame in slipping or relapsing. There is no shame in having an eating disorder. Give yourself credit for each step you take, each change you make, no matter how small for each brings you closer to recovery. Extend to yourself the same kindness, understanding, support, and patience that you would to another going through what you are.


Plan each day around your recovery

Let it be that important. Recovery is a process and a learning experience. Keep your focus on what is important. Keep your self-talk positive. Believe in yourself. Believe in your recovery. It takes a lot of hard work but Recovery is attainable and sustainable.


See Also: Using Affirmations: Eating Disorder Recovery
sidebar: for Resources, Tools, Inspirational Recovery Quotes and Quotes Of The Week


Sources: http://www.healthyplace.com http://www.mental-health-matters.com http://www.mirror-mirror.org http://www.anorexiabulimiahelp.com/ http://edsupport.podbean.com picture source: freephotos.se

Recent News: Eating Disorders


Anorexia and the High-Achievers

by Lorna Marsh

Mary George, spokeswoman for Norwich-based Beat, the leading UK charity for people with eating disorders and their families, said it was often high achievers like Charlotte Robinson who succumbed to anorexia.

And, commenting on the teenager's tragic death, Ms George said that early intervention for sufferers was “imperative”.

She said that anorexia makes up just 10pc of eating disorders but has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, killing a fifth of those diagnosed with the condition.

Ms George said high achievers are often the most vulnerable because of a striving for perfection that, compounded by a projected 'ideal' skinny model figure, becomes warped and deadly.

“Sadly it is all too common that anorexia occurs alongside being a high achiever who want to control their bodies and strive for misguided perfection.”

It is unlikely that an eating disorder will result from a single cause but more a combination of events and pressures.

Many people with an eating disorder talk about feeling 'not good enough' and say it is the only way they feel they can stay in control of their life although ultimately it is the condition which is in control.

Anorexia mostly affects the 12 to 20 age group with bulimia striking slightly later, on average between the ages of 18 and 25.

Ms George said that it is also sometimes a girl's mental rejection of oncoming puberty that can trigger the disease.

“It is that age when girls are becoming aware of their body image and maybe the individual does not want to that that step forward into womanhood.”

Read in full here.

Student Died Of Anorexia

A talented student died from anorexia due to "inappropriate delays" in her care, a coroner has ruled.

Charlotte Robinson, 18, who achieved four As at A Level, plummeted in weight from 9st 1lb to just 6st 2lb after living off as little as two sips of soup a day.

Read in full here.


Kids' Eating Disorders Underfunded

Girls as young as six are developing eating disorders because of teasing about their weight, a representative of the Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Associaton said Wednesday.

"Research shows that when girls are teased about their size and their shape, they stop eating," said Mary Kay Lucier.

The association offers school programs to teach about teasing and self-image for young children who might develop an eating disorder.

"We had a girl today who was six, and she sure did understand that she wasn't eating because she didn't want to get teased.

"We've had 25 seven-year-olds in the past year come in in a state of acute starvation," Lucier said.

"It really is harmful to children to tease about their size."

But now there's a developing problem: The education programs are not government funded - although clinical programs are - and BANA must raise $281,000 a year on its own.

It and other agencies which help children are feeling the effects of the economy, which is increasing demand but reducing availability of money.

Read in full here.

Martha's House has saved me from my Eating Disorder Demons...

Eating disorders can destory lives but there is a Calderdale charity that can help beat the disease. Sarah Kelly meets a woman who says it turned her life around.

Read in full here.

CNS Response Provides Poster Review Of rEEG Guided Pharmacotherapy...
...results of a study presented at the U.S. Psychiatric and Mental Health Congress by Mark J. Schiller, M.D., Director of Medical Affairs for CNS Response and Assistant Clinical Professor in Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco. The poster presentation, titled "Referenced-EEG-Guided Pharmacotherapy of Dual-Diagnosis Patients," provided an analysis of a patient-controlled case series conducted to examine the use of CNS Response rEEG(R) in dual-diagnosis addiction patients.

Read in full here.

sources: check article links.

Recovery Quote Of The Week: November 1st


"Every step you take is a step away from where you used to be."
Brian Chargualaf


Please see:
*sidebar "Inspirational Quotes" and "Recovery Quotes of the Week" for links to more recovery quotes.

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Articles On Eating Disorders


The Mind/ Body Dialogues Teach UNH Students TO Love The Genes They Were Born With

Alexis Macarchuk

Student volunteers took to the stage Monday night in the University of New Hampshire's second production of the Mind/Body Dialogues, which celebrated Love Everybody Day.
The cast of 11 assembled to perform the scripted dialogue, which tackles a number of body image issues ranging from anorexia, bulimia and obesity to drug addiction.

Kathleen Grace Bishop, the director of Education Promotion, said, "This dialogue is important because everyone could use some help related to their body image. This is a lifelong struggle for people."

Hosted by the Office of Health Education and Promotion, the play was intended to spark discussion on campus about how people view themselves and treat their bodies.

The event illuminated some startling statistics while sharing a number of poignant experiences related to body issues.
In a survey conducted at UNH in 2001 aimed at finding where UNH stands on body issues, 25 percent of students had symptoms of eating disorders and over half the people surveyed said they knew people with eating disorders.
Linda Hayden, who oversees the fitness and wellness program at UNH, believes this unhealthy behavior related to diet and exercise on college campus happens for a number of reasons.
Hayden believes the media, advertising, and peer pressure influences students. These sources try to tell students how they should look and what their bodies should look like.

The Mind/Body Dialogues try to dispel the myth that there is only one set image of beauty and health.

"A healthy body image is when you appreciate your body for what it is, when you realize that you don't have to change it," Bishop explained. "Love the genes that you were born with. Try to remember that everyone is beautiful in their own way."
Kayleigh, a sophomore who attended the play and requested anonymity, said she liked the story about a mother of four who likes her body most when she's in the grocery store.

Read in full here.


Judge Approves Settlement Of Suit Against Aetna Over Coverage For Eating Disorders.


Healthy Habits: Eating Disorder Warning Signs

By NANCY HUFFMAN

Eating disorders are serious conditions that cause physical and emotional damage. I know you can't force a person with an eating disorder to change their behaviors or beliefs, but you can make a difference by showing that you care, offering your support and encouraging the person to seek professional help. While people with eating disorders usually try to hide the problem, there are warning signs you can watch for. My heart goes out to the families of those with this disorder. If you're looking for a good reference site, check out Anglefire.com. It's a great site that deals with eating disorder issues and offers some of the signs that might be present.

Note: Any combination of these symptoms can be present in any eating disorder, and not all signs are always present in every person who engages in these behaviors.

Signs of food restriction:

  • Wearing baggy clothing (to hide weight loss)
  • Making excuses for not eating
  • Obsessively measuring/weighing food
  • Looks pale
  • Constantly feeling cold at normal room temperatures

  • Read in full here.

    Eating Right for Bone Health

    By Jovanda Biston

    Osteoporosis is normally associated with older women. That is because this disease of the skeleton, in which bones become brittle and are prone to fracture, usually occurs in women over 55 years of age.

    But it can also affect men and younger women.

    What may be even less well-known is that steps to prevent primary osteoporosis, which commonly occurs after menopause or develops due to age-related bone loss, should ideally be taken from as early as childhood.

    The World Health Organisation said bone formation is most active during childhood and adolescence and that bone length and girth increase as the teenager grows, ending at early adulthood when peak bone mass is attained.

    Dr Manju Chandran, a consultant endocrinologist at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), said: "It has often been said that osteoporosis is a paediatric disease that manifests in geriatric times."

    Dr Chandran is director of SGH's osteoporosis and bone metabolism unit, the country's first and only unit that caters specifically to the management of patients with osteoporosis and other bone disorders. He explained that getting your bones in peak shape during the growth period from puberty to the early 20s is extremely important. It will pay off in your later years.

    The attainment of peak bone density or mass is heavily influenced by nutrition, hereditary factors, hormonal effects and the environment. The growth years are thus crucial to averting the risk of osteoporosis in later life.

    Dr Chandran said that people who have a history of an eating disorder in their growing years can develop secondary osteoporosis. This type of osteoporosis occurs as a result of the treatment of another disease or condition, or as a result of the condition itself.


    Read in full here.

    sources:http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202425462558&pos=ataglancehttp://media.www.tnhonline.com/media/storage/paper674/news/2008/10/24/News/The-Mindbody.Dialogues.Teach.Unh.Students.To.Love.The.Genes.They.Were.Born.With-3504155.shtml http://health.asiaone.com/Health/Wellness%2B%2540%2BWork/Story/A1Story20081025-96299.html http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20081027/LIFESTYLE/810270319 picture source:bigfoto.com

    Recovery Quote Of The Week: October 25th


    "Beauty is being in harmony with what you are."
    Peter Nivio Zarlenga



    Please see:
    *sidebar "Inspirational Quotes" and "Recovery Quotes of the Week" for links to more recovery quotes.


    picture source: Publicdomainpictures.com

    Poll: What Was The Inspiration That Caused You To Seek Recovery From Your Eating Disorder?


    Please see sidebar for the poll, "What Was The Inspiration That Caused You To Seek Recovery From Your ED?"

    The poll options are limited so if you have chosen "other," would like to add answers, elaborate on your answers, and/or discuss what led you to seek recovery please feel free to do so in the comment section of this post.

    Thank you.

    Completed Poll Results:

    What Was The Inspiration That Caused You To Seek Recovery From Your ED? (choose all that apply)

    ED treatment center
    4 (11%)
    Therapy
    7 (19%)
    Support of family
    8 (22%)
    Support of friend(s)
    9 (25%)
    Loss of friend(s) to ED
    2 (5%)
    Loss of family member to ED
    1 (2%)
    Fear of consequences
    10 (27%)
    Health issues
    12 (33%)
    Health concerns
    13 (36%)
    Severe illness
    4 (11%)
    Helping another with recovery
    3 (8%)
    Following the recovery of another
    2 (5%)
    Alternative medicine/methods
    2 (5%)
    Medication
    3 (8%)
    Art Therapy
    1 (2%)
    Meditation
    2 (5%)
    Hair loss
    5 (13%)
    Fear of dying
    6 (16%)
    Self-discovery
    10 (27%)
    ED awareness
    8 (22%)
    Support group
    2 (5%)
    Intervention
    5 (13%)
    I cant remember
    0 (0%)
    I'm trying but not inspired
    4 (11%)
    Other (please see below poll)
    2 (5%)
    I'm not in recovery
    5 (13%)
    I don't want recovery
    4 (11%)

    Votes: 36

    More Poll Results

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