The symptoms take priority over the cause … initially. In Eating Disorder (ED) recovery, symptoms of the eating disorder are treated as first priority. 99.9% of the time, this is achieved through intensive administration of improved nutrition. Getting the dose correct is key, think of food as the medicine. Not enough wont have the desired…
Have you thought about calling us, but are finding it hard to pick up the phone? Many clients tell us when they do call us that they have been thinking about calling us for some time. Common thoughts clients expressed they had before they called were: “Am I sick enough?” “What if they think I…
Our brain is comprised of millions of cells (neurons) that interact with neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) and hormones to produce thoughts, feelings, emotions, and actions. To work optimally, both for our mental and physical health, our brain needs to be provided with regular and enough fuel (food). Enough food equating to the amount and the type.…
For Parents and Carers: The first step to understanding your child’s eating disorder For most people, eating is joyful, instinctive, and pleasurable. Eating is practical, flexible, and social. For your loved one battling an eating disorder, likely, eating is not this. Living with a constant fear of food and eating, whether it is the…
Have you ever questioned if social media is subconsciously expanding your thought patterns, behaviours and beliefs in a positive and/or negative way? Social media provides us with the ability to connect with those who live away from us, keep up to date with news of the world, and provide us with a sense of connection…
Holidays, particularly one like Easter, can be a stressful time when you are in eating disorder recovery. This makes sense because it is a holiday that revolves around food and eating socially. You may feel increased pressure to eat different foods or to eat with friends/family that you have not seen for some time or…
Article: “I’m still here but no one hears you” A qualitative study of young women’s experiences of persistent distress post family-based treatment for adolescent anorexia nervosa. Conti et all (2021) Family-based treatment (FBT) is the current treatment of choice for adolescent AN. This handout includes comments from individuals and their family, of their lived experience…
“I can’t eat that, I am too afraid of weight gain”. A fear response at the thought of eating, during eating and after eating can keep an eating disorder going. The anxiety experienced can lead to ongoing compensatory behaviours – restriction, purging and exercise. For a person without an eating disorder, the brain will respond…
Siblings are intuitive. They know when their sibling is acting different. Eating disorders will not only interfere on your sick child’s adolescence, but it will interfere on their siblings as well. At the onset of an eating disorder diagnosis, there will be many appointments. Health professionals that may be involved in your child’s care include…
For Families The start of the school term has crept up on us and in the blink of an eye, your child / adolescent is about to return to school. Returning to school when you have an eating disorder and engaged in treatment adds extra layers of complexity and requires further consideration to ensure this…