Impact of Other Conditions (Co-morbidity) on Eating Disorder Symptoms and Treatment
Each patient, and each patient’s family, is unique. Each individual brings strengths, skills, and experiences to tackling the problems of life, including a biologically based illness like an eating disorder. When an eating disorder is diagnosed, the clinical team will also be looking for other factors which may impact the illness and recovery. When […]
Autism and Eating Disorders: A Journey of Acceptance and Awareness
By Emy Nimbley, second year Clinical Psychology PhD student at the University of Edinburgh Over the past decade or so, it has been increasingly observed that there seems to be an overlap between autism, and anorexia nervosa (AN). At face value these two conditions appear to be very different. Anorexia is a severe eating disorder […]
Caring for a Child with an Eating Disorder, Self Harm, and Suicidality
By K Note: I will share some of our journey below, but it does describe self harm (SH) and suicide attempts (SA). If you prefer to jump to the personal insights and resources, then please scroll down past the main entry. While eating disorder sites frequently state that self harm (SH), suicidal ideation (SI), and […]
Understanding ARFID & Its Genetic & Environmental Causes
By Ellen Ewing, F.E.A.S.T. Volunteer My husband and I sat uncomfortably in the therapist’s comforting garret office with all the colorful, spangled pillows and fidget toys (which we had helped replenish since my daughter had broken practically every one). Our daughter was a year in to strong recovery from anorexia nervosa; we really didn’t have […]
Therapeutic Optimism
By Judy Krasna, F.E.A.S.T. Executive Director Last week, I attended an impressive eating disorders conference in the UK. In her opening remarks, Dr. Agnes Ayton talked about the need for “therapeutic optimism” to counter the negativity and the glaring deficits in the system. I was struck by how pretty much every speaker mentioned the failings […]
Equal and Opposite Messaging: What We Need (and Don’t Need) to Hear in Recovery
By Emily Boring A golden rule: Never use the language of an eating disorder to talk back to an eating disorder. Perhaps this sounds obvious. Unfortunately, I’ve found that in real-life situations—conversations with well-meaning clinicians, family, friends, and other recovery supporters—this rule is far from universally enacted or understood. Here’s a classic example. On the […]
The Connection Between ARFID and Autism
By Lucy Wetherall What do ARFID and Autism have in common? Long before a connection between Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) was ever made, researchers and parents had noticed that many children with ASD also had “feeding problems” (Ledford & Gast, 2006). One meta-analysis even noted that children with ASD […]
Managing Suicidal Ideation
By Danielle Gordon LMFT Suicide is the second leading cause of death in people affected by anorexia nervosa and suicidal behavior is increased in people diagnosed with bulimia nervosa. Having a loved one who is battling suicidal thoughts or is at an increased risk for an attempt can be scary and overwhelming. Often, I hear […]
Young Kids And Extreme Behaviors
By Katie Maki I am noticing so many forum posts again by parents of 9-12 year olds and I feel the need to respond. It baffles my mind that now 11 YEARS after my then ten year old was diagnosed, families are still being told their child is “ the worst we’ve ever seen” or “ we […]
Treating Suicidality in Eating Disorders: How DBT Skills Help Families Navigate Suicide and Self-Injury
By Anita Federici, Ph.D C.Psych. FAED Given very high rates of suicidal and self-injurious behaviours among adolescents with eating disorders, it is crucial that families receive training and support to manage these complex behaviours. Rates of suicide are 12 times higher in those with anorexia nervosa and almost 8 times higher in bulimia nervosa. Regardless […]
