The following is a metaphor one of my patients has been using to understand why she can’t let go of her eating disorder. Carrie is in her mid-twenties, has a master’s degree, a good career and has suffered from anorexia for about six years. She has been in treatment for two and a half years, [...]
Children, adolescents and adults can get depression. Depression can be triggered by an event or by chronic stress. It can also come on out of the blue and be the result of genetic or biological factors that the person cannot control. Do you feel sad, blue or downhearted? Yes [...]
There have been several controversies in the media lately about depression that have focused on the “ability” to overcome it. Some believe there is no need for psychiatric treatment and that with enough motivation, faith or incentive depression can be beaten. Others support the need for treatment, including psychotherapy and/or anti-depressant medication, and believe they [...]
All of us experience anxiety at one time or another, but for those facing cardiac disease, anxiety, worry and stress can accelerate the progression of heart disease and/or interfere with recovery. Continual emotional distress, whether it is recognized or not, affects overall quality of life. Do you feel anxious? Some of the more common symptoms [...]
Children, adolescents and adults can experience anxiety. Anxiety can be triggered by an event or by chronic stress. It can also happen without explanation and be the result of genetic or biological factors that the person has no ability to prevent. Do you spend a lot of time worrying about [...]
An eating disorder becomes a very powerful thing in a person’s life. As much as they need it, they hate it and as much as they hate it, they still can’t let it go. Not only is it frustrating to watch someone who has an eating disorder, it’s incredibly maddening to suffer with an eating [...]
Could you or someone you know have an eating disorder? Take this quiz and find out: Click here for downloadable Risk Assessment Have you developed fears or beliefs about food you never had before? Do you think losing weight would make your life better? Are other people concerned about your weight, eating or exercise habits? [...]
Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are serious psychological conditions that require specialized treatment. If an eating disorder is suspected, it is important to seek the appropriate treatment immediately. The longer a person engages in eating disorder behavior without treatment, the more difficult it can for the person to recover. It is essential to [...]
Anorexia and bulimia require treatment by a psychologist or psychotherapist who has specialized knowledge and training in eating disorders. These are questions you can ask a therapist to determine if they are an eating disorder specialist: Have you had specialized training specifically in eating disorders? What kind of training Where How [...]
“Desperate Housewives” was a very popular television show from 2004-2012 and is making a resurgence on streaming services. If you’re a fan of the happenings on Wisteria Lane, it would be hard not to notice how desperately thin the female characters are. Is it really normal for women over 30 to be that thin? While [...]
