Defeating Your Eating Disorder - Eating Disorder Recovery

Written by HealthyPlace.com Staff Writer

SarahAnne: Does that statement include my younger sisters being more prone to anorexia because I have it?

Dr. Sacker: It may, but not always. Don't feel guilty! Try not to make food an issue in the family.

Hopeful: I've tried both one-on-one therapy and group therapy and did not find that either helped. I am on Paxil which seems to lighten my moods a lot, but I'd like to know if you have any suggestions for people trying to recover on their own.

Dr. Sacker: It's very difficult to heal oneself from the inside. I would recommend locating a new therapist.

Gabrielle: Dr. Sacker, you mentioned medications for bulimia. Do you have any medication suggestions that you feel might work for anorexia?

Dr. Sacker: Many individuals with anorexia have ocd, obsessive-compulsive disorder and therefore medications like Luvox or even Prozac have proven somewhat effective. Also SSRI's are helpful when the underlying disorder is depression.

Bob M: As I mentioned earlier, Dr. Sacker is the founder and director of HEED...Helping to End Eating Disorders, at the Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center in New York. The number there is 718-240-6451. Dr. Sacker, can you talk a bit about HEED and it's purpose?

Dr. Sacker: HEED is a not-for-profit program geared towards the prevention, education, referral, diagnosis and treatment of all eating disorders with the hope of raising enough money to develop HEED HOME, a home for patients to go to in between the hospital and the home or the other way around.

Bob M: That sounds wonderful. And you're having a fundraiser coming up, right?

Dr. Sacker: That's right Bob. It will actually be a great night out at the Woodbury Jewish Center in Long Island. We will have special guests, raffles, auctions and a lot of fun for a great cause. We invite all to call us for further info and join us. You can call at 718-240-6451. It will be on Thursday, November 12 at 7 p.m.

Melbo: Yes, I've been in recovery from bulimia and anorexia for 2 years now and still have a lot of problems with body image. But I can't seem to get help with that. I want to talk to someone about it, but I've never heard of any one who specializes in body image, at least not here in Nashville, TN. Are there specialists for that and where do you find them?

Dr. Sacker: Many nutritionists and eating disorder specialists are well-informed of body image issues. Call me and I'll try to locate the nearest program for you. By the way, we also have an interactive website that does referrals.

Flyaway: Are eating disorders related to obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Dr. Sacker: Obsessive-compulsive disorders often underlie many forms of eating disorders.

expacobadj: I am definitely ocd and social phobic to the extreme and that is what I hate! How do you know that you are not faking yourself into thinking you are recovered?

Dr. Sacker: Please rephrase the question, Bob?

Bob M: If those with eating disorders have distorted body images, let's assume they can distort other things as well. How can you tell if you've really recovered, rather than fooling yourself into thinking you've recovered?

Dr. Sacker: Part of recovery is in learning to trust your own feelings and become aware of others around you. If you are more accepting of yourself, you will find that you are reaching true recovery.

sandrews68: How have you treated people with severe/long-standing eating disorders? I'm at my wits end. Please tell me how other severe cases have been overcome.

Dr. Sacker: We have had some success in the treatment of long-term eating disorders. Please call us or contact us at our web page.

sin: With compulsive binge eating, what is it with the human psyche that makes the feeling of relief from the action of food?

Dr. Sacker: It's not only the human psyche, but specific biochemical changes that cause these feelings. More and more we are finding individuals who are chemically imbalanced. Many of these can be treated nutritionally and with specific medications.

Bob M: I have one last question. Can one recover from an eating disorder on their own, without the help of a professional, or is that next to impossible?

Dr. Sacker: Some individuals remove the symptoms of the eating disorder without dealing with the underlying issues. Therefore, years later the eating disorder may surface again or wind up as another form of addictive behavior.

Bob M: Thank you for coming to the site tonight, Dr. Sacker. I appreciate that you stayed late to answer everyone's questions.

Dr. Sacker: Thank you all very much for your interest.

Bob M: Thanks again Dr. Sacker and good night everyone. Don't forget tomorrow night's conference (Wed.) is on ADHD in children--our back to school conference with Dr. David Rabiner.

Bob M: A little audience reaction to the conference follows:

Flyaway: Thank you Bob and Dr. Sacker for your conference.

Alisonmp2: I really liked your book. It helped me when I was going to go inpatient to read the stories that you had in there! THANKS

eLCi25: Thank you doctor and Bob. This conference has given me some things to think about.

Bob M: Good Night everyone.

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