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

Eating Disorder Recovery: Finding Inspiration

If you or a loved one is journeying on the road of recovery from an eating disorder, you may likely feel bouts of despair, loneliness-even frustration and uncertainty.  "Is recovery truly possible?" "Will I ever find freedom from my eating disorder?"  These burdensome questions may often raise doubts in the mind of anyone suffering with an eating disorder. 

Sometimes, the best sources of hope and inspiration come from those who have journeyed this road before us.  In looking towards others who have persistently fought against their eating disorder and persevered unrelentingly towards their freedom-it is here where withering spirits and diminished hope can be ignited again.

At Eating Disorder Hope, we understand the road of recovery and all the beauty and obstacles it entails.  We desire to offer morsels of encouragement along the way, for no man or woman needs to fight their eating disorder alone...especially when there exists an army of survivors who are living to tell of their new-found freedom from a once debilitating disease. 

Surround yourself with positivity, affirmations, and encouragement.  Read stories of hope and find the inspiration you need to pick yourself up and keep going.  No matter where you are in the recovery journey, believe that recovery IS possible.  You are well on your way.

What are some sources of inspiration to you in your own recovery?

To read another inspiring journey of an eating disorder survivor, please continue here.

Eating Disorders Do Not Just Impact the Young

Due to an overwhelming misrepresentation from media, eating disorders are commonly stereotyped as occurring in young females in their adolescent and teenage years.  The truth of the matter is that eating disorders can affect women and men across the lifespan, but women in their mid-life are typically overlooked at being susceptible to these diseases.  However, the mid-life presents different challenges, difficult life changes, and transitions that can result in overwhelming emotional turmoil.  Women and men who develop an eating disorder during this life period may find it equally challenging to reach out for help and seek the appropriate treatment they may need.  The good news is that there is always hope for recovery, no matter what stage of life you may be in.

If you are concerned that someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder in their mid-life, please continue reading here.

Choosing Recovery

On the first day of racing at the 2006 Junior World Championships , Hollie Avil’s life was forever changed. The words of a coach, “You’ll need to start thinking about your weight if you want to run quick, Hollie.” planted an unhealthy seed in her head. Hollie is an English triathlete and the youngest athlete to podium at a successive debut World Cup race, and surprisingly retired from the competitive sport recently after publicly announcing her battle with an eating disorder and depression. Hollie debuted at the 2008 Olympics and won the world under-23 title the following year; however, in 2010 the nightmare of having an eating disorder began. For a young woman, who was just beginning a phenomenal career as an Olympic triathlete, she took a giant leap in recovery when announcing her retirement to put her health first. “Although I am sad to be hanging up the race shoes, I’m proud of what I’ve overcome.”  To learn more about Hollie's story, please continue reading here.


Written by: Hannah Chase, Intern @ Eating Disorder Hope

A Woman Recoverd from Orthorexia Gives Back

It is so inspiring to see individuals recover from their eating disorders and then transform their former pain into helping others find recovery, too. Eating Disorder Hope strongly supports individuals seeking to share their hard won wisdom gained from their suffering under the ravages of an eating disorder. The following article Walking in Recovery is an excellent example of a strong young woman who has overcome her eating disorder and now seeks to serve others and God more impactfully, as a result of her valuable insights. If you have a story to share on the Eating Disorder Recovery 101 blog, please do so! We would love to hear from you.

NEDA Launches 25th Annual NEDAwareness Week, Themed Everybody Knows Somebody, Feb. 26-March 3

NEDA Launches 25th Annual NEDAwareness Week, Themed Everybody Knows Somebody, Feb. 26-March 3
Eating Disorder Hope encourages all eating disorder sufferers, providers and concerned others to participate in the the annual National Eating Disorder Awareness Week!

Eating Disorder Hope Blog Update

To our dear Visitors:

We wish to thank you for your continued support and loyalty to Eating Disorder Hope.  Presently, our blogs are temporarily under construction as we seek to improve, enhance, and develop greater resources.  During this time, blog posts will be kept to a minimum, but we excitedly look forward to offering you increased resources in the very near future.  In the meantime, please follow Eating Disorder Hope on Facebook for up-to-date articles, resources, and support for eating disorders or 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!

Blessings,

Eating Disorder Hope

Body Image and Eating Disorders

Most eating disorder sufferers have a tendency to view their body inaccurately.  This distorted body image issue, the subject of much research and concern, seems to possibly offer an early indication of a possible eating disorder developing in an individual.  A joint study from the University of Haifa, Soroka University Medical Center and Achva Academic College provides insight into this through body image drawings.

Have you ever drawn your full body image?  Do you believe it accurately reflects your build?

Tips for helping boys or men who have an eating disorder

Source: http://www.bostonglobe.com

Encourage them to get help early. The longer you have an eating disorder, the harder it is to treat and the more likely it is for depression and other problems to set in.
 
Let them know they are not alone. Men in particular may feel isolated by their eating disorder, but they have more company than they realize.
 
Find a treatment program or support group that’s specifically geared toward men.

 

Remind them that the goal of advertising is to make people feel poorly about themselves so they will buy products to feel better.

 
Recognize that porn stars, like fashion models, are chosen because their physiques are unusual - and not typical.
 
Make sure they know that treatment for eating disorders is effective.
...Link to original article here.
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Why is it that men are often thought of as insusceptible to developing eating disorders?  How can changing this bias thinking increase awareness of males who may be suffering with an eating disorder?

How to Address an Eating Disorder

Gabrielle Bernstein

Speaker, Author of 'Add More ~ing to Your Life' and 'Spirit Junkie'

GET UPDATES FROM Gabrielle Bernstein

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com

I spent decades suffering from an eating disorder. I was a binge eater. After each binge, I'd spend hours in the gym trying to burn off the calories I'd consumed. Through my spirit junkie path and a lot of self-love, I'm happy to say I've overcome this addiction. There is hope and help.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with an eating disorder, then this interview will be a powerful guide. I'm thrilled to introduce you to my dear friend and psychotherapist Tracy Goodman. Not only is Tracy an incredible eating disorder specialist, but she's also experienced her own recovery first hand. She is a true power of example for us all.
...Read the interview here.
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Eating Disorders are often the result of an underlying issue that is addressed in treatment.  What is the importance of understanding the root of an eating disorder and treating it?

A Parent’s Guide to Defeating Eating Disorders

By Liz Lockhart
Source: http://www.mentalhealthy.co.uk

A recently published book called ‘A Parent’s Guide to Defeating Eating Disorders’ provides much needed information for parents who are faced with the bewildering world of a child’s eating disorder.
“Parents are simply invaluable in recovery” say the authors Boachie and Jasper. How do you reach out to your child when they have a serious, life threatening illness that even medical professionals struggle to understand?  How do you help when it can be hard to convince your son or daughter that you are on their side? The first step must be finding some way of putting the problem into words that everyone can understand, and for an illness as complex as eating disorders this is never easy.

...Continue reading here.
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If your child is in recovery for an eating disorder, what can you share from your journey and experiences that may encourage other parents who are going through a similar situation?

PA seniors sponsoring ‘I Am Beautiful’ charity game

Source: www.timesleader.com

Second annual event to be held October 2 against WA

Pittston Area National Honor Society seniors Mallory Yozwiak and Gabrielle Vaxmonsky will sponsor the second annual "I Am Beautiful" Charity field hockey game on Sunday, October 2 at 2 p.m. at the Bucky Harris Athletic Complex in Hughestown. Proceeds of the game will benefit eating disorder awareness in local communities and schools.

After last year’s inaugural game, the girls raised over $2,000 for eating disorder awareness. The money was donated to the Hershey Medical Center Eating Disorder Program, the National Eating Disorder Awareness Organization and the Ronald McDonald House. 

...Continue reading here.

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What is something you can do today to advocate for eating disorder awareness?

Family meals have positive effect on teenagers

Source: www.monstersandcritics.com

Berlin - Family meals can have a positive effect on the nutritional habits of youngsters, according to a study of 180,000 young people conducted by the University of Illinois.

Evaluating the study, German paediatricians said that adolescents who ate with their parents at least three times a week were on average 12 per cent less likely to suffer from being overweight or obese than those who did not join family meals.
...Continue reading here.
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Many studies have revealed the positive impact that family meals can have on children and teens, particularly as it has shown to help in the prevention of eating disordered behaviors.  How can you begin making family meals a routine part of your lives?

Eating disorders among teens also can be troubling to boys

BY SHERA KAFKA

Source: www.stltoday.com

Eating disorders are commonly thought of as a "girls only" problem. Yet some experts have become increasingly concerned about boys — particularly adolescent boys — who are at risk for unhealthy eating patterns, or who have eating disorders.

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/fitness/article_8b4a792b-6fb5-5fa2-adb9-6ba140183f38.html#ixzz1Y5wK2RWx

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If you suspect that your teenage son or daughter is struggling with an eating disorder, know that there is help available and resources for recovery.  As a parent, what are warning signs to be aware of that your child may be dealing with disordered eating?

NAMI DuPage offers Education Course for Parents

By Mary Dalton  
Source: triblocal.com

NAMI of DuPage County (The National Alliance on Mental Illness) will be sponsoring the NAMI Basics education program for families and caregivers of children and adolescents coping with brain disorders. The course is taught by trained family members who have experienced firsthand the rewards and challenges of raising children with brain disorders. All instruction and course materials are free for course participants.
...Continue reading here.
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If you have a child who is in recovery from an eating disorder, what resources have been valuable to you along the journey?

Eating-disorder patients battle insurers over care

Victoria Colliver, Chronicle Staff Writer
Source: sfgate.com

When Jeanene Harlick's weight dropped to 65 percent of normal, her doctors recommended the San Mateo woman go into an intensive residential treatment facility that specialized in treating anorexia and other eating disorders.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/09/09/MN8C1KTQD5.DTL#ixzz1Xi4Z8eqh

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If you or someone you know is seeking treatment for an eating disorder, has insurance coverage hindered or helped your experience?

Eating Disorders and Families

An informal evening for parents of kids with eating disorders.

 Eating disorders can be isolating for families as well as for those who have them. This program gives parents a chance to connect with other parents, share challenges and successes, and learn more about the positive role families can play in eating disorder recovery.

Dr. Daniel Le Grange, director of the University of Chicago Eating Disorders Program, will discuss how families can help a child or teen with an eating disorder.

Harriet Brown, author of Brave Girl Eating, will describe her family's battle with their daughter's anorexia.

Through excerpts from the book, frank talk about eating disorders, and Q&A, Brown will energize and inspire families struggling with eating disorders.

Meet us for coffee and join the conversation!
To find out more about the Eating Disorders Program
at The University of Chicago Medical Center, please
visit www.eatingdisorders.uchicago.edu.

October 20, 2011, 7 - 9 pm
The Quadrangle Club
1155 East 57th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
This event is free and open to the public,
but space is limited. Please RSVP to reserve
your place at RSVP@maudsleyparents.org
or call Leah Boepple at 773-702-0789.

People with a mental illness need to know they're not alone

By Kerry Dennehy, Vancouver Sun
Source: vancouversun.com

With the passing - and let's be clear from the start, the suicide - of hockey players Rick Rypien and Wade Belak on many readers' minds, it may be timely to offer hopeful news about current and upcoming mental health initiatives.

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/health/People+with+mental+illness+need+know+they+alone/5356624/story.html#ixzz1XD6myIb7

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If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health illness, such as an eating disorder, know that you are not alone and there is hope for recovery.  What can you do to make the first step towards recovery today?

Parents Talk: Finding Time for the Family Meal

Source for article: Millvalley.patch.com
It can be downright impossible to get everyone together for a family meal, but research shows the benefits far outweigh any hassle.

Many of us have fond memories of dinner (or supper) time growing up.

Mealtime served two purposes -- to replenish ourselves after a full day of work or school and, more importantly, to share and reconnect as a family.
...Continue reading article here
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Research continues to demonstrate the benefits of family meals, including a decreased risk of eating disorders developing in children.  As a parent, what are tips to make family meals possible during the week?

Helping eating-disorder sufferers heal

Written by Blair Shiff

Source: 9news.com

DENVER - It is estimated that 8 million Americans have an eating disorder - 7 million women and 1 million men. Nearly half of all Americans personally know someone with an eating disorder, according to National Association of Anorexia.
...Continue reading article and view video here.
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If you suspect a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, what are ways you can refer them to adequate help or professionals?