Summer is almost over…
In case it has not dawned on you, summer is almost over and this coming weekend we’ll be celebrating Labor Day 2013. Hard to believe, don’t you agree? One way to know for sure that summer is coming to an end is by tuning into a television show and realizing that most of the commercials have to do “back to school” sales. And in the world of social media you may have noticed that your friends with school-aged children, from pre-school to college age, are posting about the mayhem involved with the start of a new school year.
Many parents utilize a check list to make sure they’ve not forgotten something important. They may go through the closets and insure that any clothes which no longer fit are passed on to younger siblings or given to the Good Will or Salvation Army, school supplies are inventoried, transportation and carpool schedules are reviewed, and required health check-ups are completed particularly if the child wants to play a sport or be involved in an extracurricular activity like dance, marching band or cheerleading.
Suggested reading for both parents and students
Every year about this time we try to publish posts that both parents and students will find helpful. We report on the results of scientific studies, ongoing research, upcoming events, recently released movies and newly published books that deal with recovery, mental health, the disease of addiction, mood disorders, co-occurring disorders and eating disorders.
This week we learned of a new book, Almost Anorexic: Is My (or My Loved One’s) Relationship with Food a Problem? (The Almost Effect) written by Jennifer J. Thomas, PhD and Jenni Schaefer. Their book was published July 2, 2013, and according to Amazon.com: “Drawing on case studies and the latest research, Almost Anorexic combines a psychologist’s clinical experience with a patient’s personal recovery story to help readers understand and overcome almost anorexia.”
In reviewing Almost Anorexic, B. Timothy Walsh, professor of psychiatry, Columbia University, and chair of the DSM-5 Eating Disorders Work Group, offered the following: “Anorexia Nervosa, a serious and potentially life-threatening disorder, is relatively rare. Much more common are subclinical symptoms which are nonetheless very distressing and problematic. Almost Anorexic uniquely and compellingly describes this important phenomenon and provides down-to-earth guidance on how to overcome such problems.”
NBC’s Erica Hill reports on Almost Anorexic
If you are having trouble viewing the video, you can see it here.
If you have more questions about eating disorders…
Here at Cottonwood Tucson we treat adults who have eating disorders. Our behavioral health dieticians consult with our psychiatrists and eating disorders therapists to design personalized, whole-person treatment plans that can bring safety and structure to our patients’ disordered eating. Anorexia treatment and bulimia treatment begins with a thorough psychiatric evaluation, comprehensive nutritional assessments and exercise assessments, and a body composition analysis. Our clinicians can then use these assessments and in vivo experiential activities, like mindful eating meal sessions, to help Cottonwood patients establish a healthier relationship with food.
If you have more questions about eating disorders and our treatment programs, please feel free to contact us. Wishing you and yours a great school year!
