Suspect an Eating Disorder?

If you even suspect that one of your children suffer from such a disorder, it is imperative that you intervene.

The NEDA has a lot of information on their website about the three common disorders:

1. Anorexia
2. Bulimia
3. Binge Eating

The information that they provide includes a parent toolkit that you can download and read. The “dos and don’ts” that they provide can be very helpful in addressing the issue.

It is interesting to note that usually such a disorder begins with concerns about body image , but it can go much deeper than that.

Is your daughter concerned with her weight?

Mom, I Feel Fat: Becoming Your Daughter's Ally in Developing a Healthy Body Image By Sharon Hersh / Random House, Inc Moms, learn how to navigate your daughters through the rough terrain of developing a healthy body image and preventing disorders about eating. You'll both learn how to recognize the enemy, understand the nature of the battle and strengthen your relationship. Foreword by Debbie Smith.

There are several Christian books, true stories and testimonials from people who have been there…

Thin Enough By Sheryle Cruse / New Hope Publishing The teen and college years are a crucial time for girls, when positive or negative views about their bodies often become manifest. Written to sufferers who are between the ages of 12 and 25, this book provides hope that, through faith and trust in God, they can rise above the living death of such disorders and become God's daughters, full of life with a promising future. Each chapter includes a prayer for the sufferer, asking God's help.

Nancy Alcorn, founder of Mercy Ministries, wrote a book about the signs and symptoms of disorders and how and why they develop. She shares stories of two girls who suffered from the disorders along with a plan to break free and stay free.

Starved: Mercy For Eating Disorders By Nancy Alcorn / WinePress Publishing Starved will help you learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a disorder, understand how and why the disorders develop, and know how to break free and stay free. Read the stories of girls, who once had no hope but now live with joy and freedom. There's also a special section for parents and others who care. There is mercy for eating disorders!

Abigail Nathenshon, psychotherapist, wrote a parenting workbook to help parents and caregivers of children with such disorders.

When Your Child Has an Eating Disorder: A Step-by-Step Workbook for Parents and Other Caregivers By Abigail Natenshon / John Wiley & Sons The first hands-on workbook to help parents successfully intervene when they suspect their child has an eating disorder. This step-by-step guide is filled with self-tests, questions and answers, journaling and role playing exercises, and practical resources that give parents the insight they need to understand the disorders and their treatment, recognize symptoms in their child, and work with their child toward recovery. This excellent and effective resource is one therapists can feel confident about recommending to patients.

Personal reflection...

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