Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Childhood Sexual Abuse, Trauma and Eating Disorders

Majority of Eating Disorder Patients Experience Childhood Sexual Abuse,
Trauma

PHOENIX, August 5 -- Remuda Programs for Eating Disorders, the nation's
leading eating disorder treatment center, reports that more than 50 percent
of its patients have experienced trauma in their lives. The trauma is
usually sexual, physical and emotional abuse.

"Forty-nine percent of our patients have experienced childhood sexual
abuse," said Amy Spahr, clinical director at Remuda Programs for Eating
Disorders. "This is about 20 percent higher than in the general population.
Additionally, in the last five years, 11 percent of adolescent and 20
percent of adult patients were diagnosed with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD)."

Research has shown that childhood sexual abuse increases binge-eating,
purging, restricting calories, body shame and body dissatisfaction. Eating
disorders become a way of helping victims cope with shame. They feel they
may need to modify their body in ways that reduce shame or distress. For
example, a woman suffering from trauma and an eating disorder may wish to
reduce her breast size in order to appear less feminine and therefore, less
appealing to men because of her past sexual abuse.

"At Remuda, we teach patients skills that assist them in achieving recovery
from their eating disorder while taking significant steps to work through
trauma issues," adds Spahr.

Many times, patients use trauma as an explanation for their continued need
to rely on eating disorder behaviors. The center's treatment model aims to
teach sufficient skills so the patient trauma issues are no longer so
intense. Once in recovery from the eating disorder, they can return as
needed to more in-depth trauma work without significant risk of an eating
disorder relapse.

"Trauma recovery work, combined with eating disorder recovery, can be
challenging and complicated," adds Spahr. "A patient who has been
victimized may often have difficulty building trust and acceptance. An
essential element that is necessary in assisting the patient in the trauma
work is providing an environment of support and acceptance."

About Remuda Ranch Programs for Eating and Anxiety Disorders
Remuda Ranch offers Christian inpatient and residential programs for women
and girls of all faiths suffering from eating or anxiety disorders. Each
patient is treated by a multi-disciplinary team including a Psychiatric and
a Primary Care Provider, Registered Dietitian, Masters Level therapist,
Psychologist and Registered Nurse. The professional staff equips each
patient with the right tools to live a healthy, productive life. For more
information, call 1-800-445-1900 or visit www.remudaranch.com.

Childhood Sexual Abuse, Trauma and Eating Disorders

Majority of Eating Disorder Patients Experience Childhood Sexual Abuse,
Trauma

PHOENIX, August 5 -- Remuda Programs for Eating Disorders, the nation's
leading eating disorder treatment center, reports that more than 50 percent
of its patients have experienced trauma in their lives. The trauma is
usually sexual, physical and emotional abuse.

"Forty-nine percent of our patients have experienced childhood sexual
abuse," said Amy Spahr, clinical director at Remuda Programs for Eating
Disorders. "This is about 20 percent higher than in the general population.
Additionally, in the last five years, 11 percent of adolescent and 20
percent of adult patients were diagnosed with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD)."

Research has shown that childhood sexual abuse increases binge-eating,
purging, restricting calories, body shame and body dissatisfaction. Eating
disorders become a way of helping victims cope with shame. They feel they
may need to modify their body in ways that reduce shame or distress. For
example, a woman suffering from trauma and an eating disorder may wish to
reduce her breast size in order to appear less feminine and therefore, less
appealing to men because of her past sexual abuse.

"At Remuda, we teach patients skills that assist them in achieving recovery
from their eating disorder while taking significant steps to work through
trauma issues," adds Spahr.

Many times, patients use trauma as an explanation for their continued need
to rely on eating disorder behaviors. The center's treatment model aims to
teach sufficient skills so the patient trauma issues are no longer so
intense. Once in recovery from the eating disorder, they can return as
needed to more in-depth trauma work without significant risk of an eating
disorder relapse.

"Trauma recovery work, combined with eating disorder recovery, can be
challenging and complicated," adds Spahr. "A patient who has been
victimized may often have difficulty building trust and acceptance. An
essential element that is necessary in assisting the patient in the trauma
work is providing an environment of support and acceptance."

About Remuda Ranch Programs for Eating and Anxiety Disorders
Remuda Ranch offers Christian inpatient and residential programs for women
and girls of all faiths suffering from eating or anxiety disorders. Each
patient is treated by a multi-disciplinary team including a Psychiatric and
a Primary Care Provider, Registered Dietitian, Masters Level therapist,
Psychologist and Registered Nurse. The professional staff equips each
patient with the right tools to live a healthy, productive life. For more
information, call 1-800-445-1900 or visit www.remudaranch.com.

Researchers at Columbia University Need Participants

Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center are interested in learning why some girls develop Bulimia Nervosa. They are recruiting girls (13 to 21 years) who have a problem with binge eating and purging.


WHERE?

The study will take place at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive in Manhattan.


WHAT WILL HAPPEN?

Participation will require 4-5 hours of your time and include interviews, games and puzzles, and an MRI. The total compensation will be $100 per person. Options for treatment (free of charge) are also available. For more information please call the Eating Disorders Clinic at 212-543-5316.

Monday, August 04, 2008

Brilliant author, Aimee Liu, seeking letters of recovery for her new book

AED Advisory Board member and author, Aimee Liu, has generously offered to write a follow-up to her popular book Gaining: The Truth About Life After Eating Disorders as a fundraiser for the AED.

The follow-up book will feature letters from readers of Gaining, and others, who describe their experience recovering from eating disorders. The book will also include commentary provided by Aimee and by AED experts . The proceeds from this volume will be donated to the AED to fund key initiatives such as our student grant and clinician scholarship programs.


Aimee has collected hundreds of letters describing early and mid-stages of recovery. In order to portray a complete view of the recovery process, however, more letters are needed from recovered individuals or those well on their way to recovery. If you have patients or former patients who fit this description and who may want to contribute a letter to this book please ask them to write a letter addressing the following three points:

1. Where are you in your recovery process?
2. What helps you feel most engaged and alive, day to day? (Include leisure activities, relationships, insights, observations, beloved places, practices, meaningful work, spiritual or philosophical beliefs - you name it.)
3. Would you like Aimee to attribute the letter to your actual first name, or to a pseudonym?
4. How can we reach you if we have follow up questions?

Please send letters of recovery to gainingthetruth@gmail.com.

Must Be Submitted by September 1, 2008!

Friday, August 01, 2008

Registered Dietitian and Diet Tech Positions Available

RD ~ Registered Dietitian ~ Diet Techs

~ Full Time ~ Part Time ~ Job Share ~ Per Diem ~ On Call ~

Rader Programs at Pacific Shores Hospital, the nation’s leading provider of Eating Disorders treatment is expanding its team! Licensed Dietitians needed for Behavioral Treatment Program w/ 12 step orientation. Mental Health/ Eating Disorder experience a plus! Ventura County. INTERVIEWING NOW!!!

Fax: 818-880-3750

E-mail: Rader@RaderPrograms.com

Apply online Today: www.RaderPrograms.com/employme.aspx