Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Is Maudsley Family Based Therapy Still Obscure?

As happy as I was to see this article in the Seattle Times I was a bit disappointed to see Maudsley Family Based Therapy(MFBT) STILL being referred to as "obscure." 

Check it out and let me know your thoughts:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2012678841_webanorexia.html

What can we each be doing on a daily basis to let health care providers know about eating disorders and the different treatment options?  Sending this article is one way.  What other ideas do you have?

One thing I love doing is speaking to the groups of health care providers, they are hungry (sorry for the bad pun but I couldn't resist) for this information. 

I love what psychologist Dr. Sarah Ravin says about the family role in MFBT, "If a 15-year-old had a bottle of vodka before school every morning would you say, 'Well, that adolescent is asserting her need for control, so parents back off?"" Ravin said. "No, because drinking alcohol before school is not OK."

I love this about the MFBT approach that includes the family in recovery.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Feed Me!: We need more FBT therapists!

We need more therapists trained in Family Based Therapy (FBT)! Now is your chance - training this fall in Chicago.

Feed Me!: We need more FBT therapists!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Eating disorders and tooth damage

An article by Julie Dearborff in the Chicago Tribune on August 10th talks about 5 threats to teeth which includes eating disorders. Here is what she had to say about that:

"Eating disorders
. Dentists are actually on the front lines when it comes to spotting eating disorders since mouth changes are often the first physical signs, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. Up to 89 percent of bulimic patient show signs of tooth erosion due to frequent vomiting and nutritional deficiencies. Stomach acid can render the teeth brittle, weak and translucent. Teeth can also change in color, shape and length as well as become more sensitive to temperature. Tooth decay, meanwhile, can be aggravated by extensive tooth brushing or rinsing following vomiting."

What has your experience been? I had hoped bi-annual trips to the dentist would help us get a diagnosis for my daughter but just like she was trying to be --- her teeth were perfect. The good news was there was no enamel erosion, the bad news was the diagnosis got delayed.

Would love to hear your stories of eating disorders and teeth.