A Parent's Perspective on Eating Disorders - Living with Eating Disorders

Written by HealthyPlace.com Staff Writer

Bob M: and for parents and others here, we've held many conferences on eating disorders with all sorts of experts. You can view the transcripts on eating disorders here.

I am interested, how much money did you spend out of your pocket and through insurance to get to the point of recovery?(eating disorders recovery)

Mary Fleming Callaghan: None. We were lucky. My husband, George, had excellent insurance. And we didn't have managed health care then. Through insurance, it was thousands.

Bob M: You are fortunate, because that isn't the way it is today. And many parents are also dealing with the stress of money problems.

WillowGirl: What's it like to be a mom of an anorexic daughter? Now, and especially at the time your daughter was in the throws of her eating disorder? Was their a social stigma attached to that for you?

Mary Fleming Callaghan: It was one of the hardest things I've ever been through, but I don't recall any stigma attached to it. I have always felt tremendous sympathy for the parents of bulimics. I could at least talk about my daughter, but many parents of bulimics don't feel that way because of the nature of the disease.

Bob M: Put yourself in this position Mary...you know a girl who has an eating disorder. If she wouldn't go to her parents and tell them, would you go to her parents?

Mary Fleming Callaghan: I'd talk to the girl first and encourage her to tell her parents. If that is unsuccessful, then I might consider it, but it should be the girl's responsibility, not mine.

Bob M: Thank you Mary for coming tonight and sharing your insights and hard-learned lessons with us. I also want to thank everyone in the audience. Again, Mary's site address is: www.abrosia.com

Mary Fleming Callaghan: Thank you for having me, Bob.

Bob M: Here's some audience reaction:

EmaSue: Thank you very much and God bless.

HungryHeart: I found this to be enlightening

Bob M: Good Night.

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