A new feature for my blog:  A monthly post of  thoughts and news updates from the trenches of the war against Eating Disorders (EDs).   In the spirit of full disclosure, I am currently more of a ‘weekend ED warrior’  since ED is no longer a daily,  tangible, and evil presence in our home.

To extend the war analogy: I believe there is a sort of Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder that affects parents that have tended their child through a life threatening illness.   in my case, It does not take much to ‘trigger’ vivid and visceral memories of that time.  I get flashbacks to sitting for hours at the dinner table watching  my daughter silently cry while staring into a bowl of cereal.

I have previously written that the degree of care needed in Family Based Treatment in the re-feeding stage for anorexia is comparable to the level of care and commitment required to care for a newborn.  Except:  you know how to care for a baby–their needs are generally pretty predictable.   Except: With a baby–other people are happy for you and eager (and able) to help;  Except:  with a baby–you will not be harshly judged for their condition;  Except: with a baby, you can predict the next stages with a high degree of confidence.  Except:  A baby will not (purposely) sabatoge or resist their own care.  I could go on and on, but you get the drift.

RANDOM ED RELATED NEWS

ED advocates have successfully shamed Amazon into pulling the outrageously titled app:  Save the Anorexic Girl‘.   The premise of the game is to fling various food items at an emaciated girl to save her from starving.  Apparently, the cartoon girl would actually die if not hit in the head with a sufficient quantity of pies.  Wow.. just…… wow.  Who in the hell comes up with this stuff?  I’d like to throw a cow pie at THEIR head.

Then there is this:  Despite the fact that anorexia is the most dangerous of all mental illness, research to treat EDs is grossly underfunded. This is most apparent when following the money:  A study in 2011 found that Research dollars spent on Alzheimer’s Disease averaged $88 per affected individual in 2011. For Schizophrenia the amount was $81. For Autism $44. For eating disorders the average amount of research dollars per affected individual was just $0.93.

Which is a perfect seque into an unapologetic plea for YOUR help to raise money in the battle against EDs.    Click HERE  to donate to the Madison NEDA fund raising walk… or sign up to walk with us.  Hmmm… maybe I should invite a certain app developer to the walk;  we can whip up some cow pies and have our own version of a ‘dunk tank’.   We can call it ‘Crap on the App’.

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