Reading an old account of a 10 year struggle with anorexia written by Lizzie Porter in The Times led me to wonder if anorexia ever really goes.
I was thinking about this because yesterday I was speaking to colleagues about their treatment of a 17 year old girl who was in hospital with anorexia but that was a while ago. The team feel stuck. Her body mass index is 19 now so she is relatively safe. Should they go on and on with therapy?
Endless therapy can teach a person that they cant cope on their own, so I worry a little about this. We all have times in our lives when we may need someone to support us But this support can be a double edged sword. A lot of therapists are guilty about keeping someone in an endless treatment loop.
Life is stressful and the old backups of tribes and old wise people just aren't there to keep us going any more. But do we have to keep treating people who are possibly OK for now?
I've had letters from people with anorexia who feel completely in thrall to their illness even after many years. If it is so bad that they barely function then yes, some kind of help is needed but which help will this be?
As for the rest, if we are coping and safe we may have to learn meet life on our own. Perhaps find friends to support us rather than "experts". I fear to convince people that the only way they can survive it to be with a therapist. Food for thought.
For my really main big blog about whether anorexia really ever goes, check out this link.
http://eating-disorders.org.uk/does-anorexia-ever-really-go/
Enjoy your Xmas and have a Happy Flourishing 2014
Yes, anorexia does completely go for the lucky few. I completely beat anorexia. It almost claimed my life, but I have come back from the very point of death.
ReplyDeleteI now have my own Counselling Clinic here in Derbyshire UK. I treat the sufferers of all types of Eating disorders.
I am hoping to start my own treatment project here in Derbyshire. I will be using a radical approach in order to dispel the many myths and misconceptions that are prevalent here in the UK.
Every staff member and volunteer on the project will have had an Eating Disorder. Further proving our value to the community.
Obviously the project will not go ahead without funding. This will be one of the biggest obstacles to the project getting started. I also expect some opposition from the medical establishment as the seek to protect their positions.I need as much help as possible to attract funding.I don't expect to get any help or encouragement from the Health Service here in the UK. Such is their antipathy towards the private sector and individuals like myself.
My background is a fusion of academia,social work and psychotherapy. I am a published researcher with Edinburgh University and i Plan to use my academic/professional/personal experiences to help others beat their Eating Disorder.
Yes. Anorexia can be completely beaten.
My website is currently undergoing an overhaul and will be relaunched on 2nd January 2014.
The address is http://www.derbyshirecounsellingservice.com/
The site is still up and running but hopefully in the New Year it will look significantly better.
Would love to know more about your radical approach. And how useful my other blogs are to you and your team. Best wishes deanne
DeleteNo problem. I will get back to you after the holiday season. It's nice just to take a well earned break.
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