Resources for parents and carers
Caring for a loved one with an eating disorder can be an overwhelming experience, particularly if you are just starting out on the journey. Below are a range of different resources that you may find helpful to access additional information or support from other carers. How far it too far? This website is a great early intervention resource for people looking for information to increase their understanding of the risk factors and early warning signs related [...]
Family Based Treatment (FBT)
Family Based Treatment (FBT; commonly known as The Maudsley Model) is currently one of the leading choice of treatment for children and adolescents living with Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. FBT emphasises the involvement of the family system in supporting the young person in overcoming their eating disorder. FBT acknowledges the integral role families can play in overcoming this illness and helping restore their young person back to health. FBT centres on the principle that weight [...]
Tips for the Holiday Season
Whilst Christmas is generally a wonderful time with lots to look forward to, for someone with an eating disorder this time of year can present significant challenges. The holiday season means that many of us get some time off work (thank goodness) bringing us out of our regular routine. Christmas parties galore, family gatherings and meeting your mates at the pub can mean greater opportunities for indulgence, which can be challenging for those in recovery from [...]
Schema Therapy & Eating Disorders: Part 1
“I understand it – logically I get it - but I just don’t feel like that’s true”. Therapy can be really effective at shifting your head – your beliefs, your logical space, what you agree must technically be true. However, it can be a lot harder to shift your heart – what you feel to be true. Similarly, often we understand what you need to do in therapy, but the how is much more challenging. It [...]
Preparing for the HSC During COVID Lockdown
If you’re reading this, you’re unlucky enough to have your HSC school year coincide with a once in a generation global pandemic. You’re not allowed to visit your mates, you can’t let off steam on the sports field, and the fun bits of Year 12 have been cancelled. However, you’re still expected to prepare for a raft of HSC exams. Lockdowns are stressful. There’s several reasons for this, and they tend to differ from person to [...]
Waiting to start eating disorder treatment?
The eating disorder sector in Australia is struggling to keep up with the increasing need for services. Unfortunately, individuals and families are facing increasing waitlists to access health professionals with specialist eating disorder training. Knowing that there is a concern and reaching out for help, only to be told that there is a waitlist for appointments can be frustrating and worrying. So, what can you do in the meantime? Regular appointments with a GP It’s really [...]
Managing Distress in Eating Disorders
If you have an eating disorder, or know someone who does, you probably know how difficult experiencing an eating disorder can be. Part of what makes an eating disorder so difficult is the experience of distress, which unfortunately is a fundamental aspect of having an eating disorder. This post will explore some ways of managing distress in eating disorders. In many ways, the behaviours that produce an eating disorder, come about as way of avoiding [...]
Tips for Meal Supervision
Taking care of your child with an eating disorder can be incredibly difficult. You can see how much your child is struggling, and want to make sure that you’re doing the best you can to be able to help and support them. Meal supervision is an important part of Family Based Treatment – the evidence-based treatment for young people with eating disorders like Anorexia Nervosa. Here are some tips for meal supervision to support parents new [...]
Over being over-controlled?
I recently attended a webinar about Radically Open – Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (RO-DBT) presented by the originator Thomas Lynch. He is a great and engaging presenter who I have seen before. I walked away both times thinking is there something more to this that I don’t understand. Below are some of my thoughts about how we may use principles of RO-DBT in eating disorders treatment. Some parts of RO-DBT resonate with me. It sees anorexia nervosa, [...]