Special Topics
Body Acceptance Vs. Body Love
Can you imagine absolutely loving your body? Cherishing it for all that it is? If your answer is yes, great! If your answer is no, that is okay! An important step in shifting your body image is to practice body acceptance. Using this approach can feel more attainable, realistic, and empowering when going through eating disorder treatment – or just going through life in general.
Difference Between ED-DMTI And Diabetes Burnout
Diabetes is an insidious disease. It requires the sufferer to be vigilant about testing their blood sugars, injecting insulin, and keeping track of their diet and exercise habits. It's no wonder people with diabetes find themselves fatigued and fed up with their illness. Healthcare professionals in the diabetes field have labeled “diabetes burnout” or “diabetes-specific distress” to describe the feelings of hopelessness, frustration, and anguish that are commonly experienced by those living with diabetes.
Walden’s Summer Time Eating Disorder Treatment Options
It’s officially summer and while this time of the year is great for many people it can be challenging for people with eating disorders. Lack of daily structure, summer clothing and the media’s emphasis on getting the perfect beach body can cause many people with eating disorders to become increasingly anxious and turn to eating disorder behaviors to cope with their feelings. Walden Behavioral Care understands these challenges and encourages those struggling with an eating disorder to reach out to us for treatment if they need it.
Massage
One would think it would be excruciating for a person with an eating disorder to have someone touch the very thing they despise, but for me massage is actually healing. It brings up feelings of strength, power, acceptance, and a sense of freedom from my poor body image and negative thoughts. Getting to that point took time and courage, but when I was ready to take the risk and push through the fear of exposing myself— emotionally and physically—the rewards were definitely worth it.
Ana
I know a girl named Ana. At first she seemed so kind. She chose me as a friend. Then snuck into my mind
Slaying the Dragon: Helping Pre-teens Overcome Anorexia Nervosa
Over the past few years, I have had an influx of young children with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) come to me for treatment. When I tell friends and acquaintances about my work, they are shocked and horrified to learn that many of my AN patients are between 9-12 years old. The typical response is first incredulity, then a remark about how “sad” it is that little girls are under such pressure to be thin and perfect. I am not sad about this at all – in fact, a very young child presenting for AN treatment represents an ideal scenario.
How The Disney Movie Frozen Can Help Adolescents in Eating Disorder Treatment
I love Disney movies. Not just because I’m a kid at heart, but because they manage to bring in the adult viewer by embedding fundamental life lessons into the storyline. Disney has done this for me again with their newest creation, Frozen. Working in a clinical environment, it is hard not to equate this tale with the modalities and tools with which we encourage our adolescent eating disorder patients and their families to use to help cope with strong feelings and urges.
Diabulimia/ED-DTM1 Terminology
“Diabulimia,” a portmanteau that combines diabetes and bulimia, has been coined in recent years to describe the eating disorder behavior observed in people with type 1 diabetes who manipulate their insulin doses in order to lose weight. The term cropped up in 2006-2007 when a slew of articles were written about this eating disorder symptom.
Beyond The Basics – New Approaches To Treatment Of Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia Nervosa is a serious and potential life threatening disorder that usually begins during adolescence. Anorexia is characterized by intense fear of gaining weight, weight loss, distorted body image and amenorrhea.
Biology Of The Binge: Food, Mood, And Serotonin
Many of us have experienced the instantaneous connection between food and mood. We may find ourselves crunching nervously through bags of potato chips when under pressure or slurping down containers of cool and silky chocolate ice cream in distracted attempts to soothe our sadness.