What do you wish people would know about this issue?

One thing I think it is difficult for people who don't struggle with the disorder to grasp is that getting over an eating disorder is not just a matter of willpower, determination, or "just doing it." These behaviors are the expression of a person's inner conflicts and worries.  Until these underlying issues are address, it a very difficult to imagine giving up the disorder.

Another topic which people misunderstand is the connection between our society's dieting culture and the prevalence of eating disorders.  When people of normal healthy weight call themselves fat and constantly discuss the need to lose weight, it contributes to a perfectionism and an unrealistic standard that encourages eating disorders.  It is hard to for clients to understand why everyone around them is restricting and over-exercising when they are trying to stop.  I would like to see healthy people making positive comments about their bodies and enjoying food without guilt.  I would like to see people of all sizes represented positively in the media.

Finally, I would like to see more of an emphasis in our culture on strengthening supportive family and community connections, as isolation and a lack of loving, accepting relationships are also significant factors in the development of eating disorders.

What have you learned in working with eating disorders?

One thing I've learned in working with eating disorders is how to stay calm and allow clients to progress at their own pace.  When someone is doing something that is harmful, it is easy to become panicked and push them to give up the symptom before they are ready.  This tends to backfire.  What I have learned is to help the client find the part of her or himself that wants to find better ways of managing their feelings and difficulties, and to provide a sense of hope that change is possible for them.  There is always a fine tightrope to walk between acceptance and change. Another important idea I've learned in this work is that every symptom, no matter how seemingly self-destructive, serves an important function and is that person's best attempt to cope with their circumstances.  This understanding also allows me to respect my clients' attachment to their eating disorder while at the same time, gently encouraging them to experiment with new methods of self-care.

What Is it like to work with eating disorders?

I find it very rewarding to work with eating disorders.  They are complex problems that require creativity, flexibility and patience to address.  Eating disorders are the result of cultural and societal pressures as well as individual vulnerabilities.  When I work with people with eating disorders I like to think I am helping the individual and also helping to make small changes in societal values.  When a person is motivated to change his or her relationship with food, there is a high rate of recovery.  It is exciting to me to watch someone becoming more balanced, self-confident, and productive.  As people are able to let go of their eating disorder symptoms they have more energy available to focus on their goals and reach their potential.

Eating Disorders Questions

Alitze is a social work student working on a project about eating disorders.  I am posting the answers to her questions here because I think they are helpful to the general public.

Struggling with food or body image?

Our group is open to men and women struggling with restricting, bingeing, compulsive eating, compulsive exercise, and body image difficulties. Friends, partners, and family members are welcome too.  Drop in or call Liz for more information.

Lakeview ED Group meeting Fridays 7 - 8 pm

We're now meeting regularly on Friday evenings from 7 to 8 pm in the basement studio of the Lakeview Center at 3322 N. Ashland Ave. (right near Belmont and Ashland, off the Paulina Brown Line stop). Stop by, or call (773) 506-4454 for more information!

Lakeview ED Group Restarting Friday 2/26 at 7pm

The Eating Disorders Support Group will be meeting starting this Friday, February 26th, from 7pm to 8pm. The group is a free, weekly, drop-in support group for people of all ages dealing with eating disorders of any kind. We meet at 3322 N. Ashland Avenue, in the basement floor meeting room. Please call Liz Nickrenz at (773) 506-4454 if you would like more information about the group, to let us know you are coming, or to request a discussion topic.

Looking forward to seeing you!
Liz

Restarting Lakeview support group

It is looking like we are moving toward Friday at 7pm as a time to hold the group. But we want to make sure this is a time when you would be available to attend! If you are interested in attending the group, please comment here or call (773) 506-4454 and let us know whether this time would work for you.

Looking forward to starting things up again!
Liz

Support Group on Temporary Hiatus

The Eating Disorders support group at the Lakeview Center for Psychotherapy is on a temporary hiatus until the end of January. We will be starting up meetings again in February, possibly on Friday evenings. Watch this space for updates - or call Liz Nickrenz at (773) 506-4454 if you are interested in being contacted when groups begin again.

Weekly Support Group Meeting

Thanks to everyone who came to last week's meeting. We'll be meeting again this Thursday, September 10th, at 6:45. Once you come in the front door of the building and the front door of the Lakeview Center, look for the door leading downstairs to the lower level, which will have a sign posted on it. If you have ideas for topics you'd like to discuss, or things on your mind that you'd like to see covered at the meeting, bring them to the meeting and/or comment on this post!

Have a great week,

Liz