Anorexia

[Solly]

I was listening to a profile of Karen Carpenter on the radio, who died as a result of anorexia some time back. She was part of the duet, The Carpenters, for those not old enough to remember, (and had a voice that I imagine DD's sounds like, but that is bye the bye). she was treated for her anorexia, but those interviewed pointed out that at the time there was little understanding of what anorexia was, or how to approach it, so the two main treatments were medication and psychotherapy. Karen was taped on a talk show, along with some other guests, and later a friend drew around the bodies of the pople on the TV, so that it was clear that she was very thin, yet when asked, she could not see that fact, even though it stared her in the face. She "felt" big, whatever her eyes told her.
The "real issues" were missed it was stated by those who knew her, when recently interviewed, ie, lack of personal control over her life, decision making etc. From what they said on the programme, anorexia is seen more as a cry for help and independance than just an eating disorder, or pathological condition.

What is the Christian response to anorexia these days. Does any one have any experience of those who have suffered and been helped? And please, with all due respect, don't tell me about casting out demons of anorexia, or whatever; I'm looking for specific application of Christian wisdom to the condition, assuming it is a cognitive disorder of some kind.

[Queen]

I was listening to a profile of Karen Carpenter on the radio, who died as a result of anorexia some time back. She was part of the duet, The Carpenters, for those not old enough to remember, (and had a voice that I imagine DD's sounds like, but that is bye the bye). she was treated for her anorexia, but those interviewed pointed out that at the time there was little understanding of what anorexia was, or how to approach it, so the two main treatments were medication and psychotherapy. Karen was taped on a talk show, along with some other guests, and later a friend drew around the bodies of the pople on the TV, so that it was clear that she was very thin, yet when asked, she could not see that fact, even though it stared her in the face. She "felt" big, whatever her eyes told her.
The "real issues" were missed it was stated by those who knew her, when recently interviewed, ie, lack of personal control over her life, decision making etc. From what they said on the programme, anorexia is seen more as a cry for help and independance than just an eating disorder, or pathological condition.

What is the Christian response to anorexia these days. Does any one have any experience of those who have suffered and been helped? And please, with all due respect, don't tell me about casting out demons of anorexia, or whatever; I'm looking for specific application of Christian wisdom to the condition, assuming it is a cognitive disorder of some kind.

I can't help you, Solly. I do know that many girls are anorexic because they want to disappear and it is a mental disease...not physical. These young women (sometimes men as well) have a very distorted look at their bodies....for many reasons (sometimes incest, rape, dominant mothers and so on.) My look at myself is a huge problem with my body. I have days that I don't eat at all, because I think I am fat (5'2" 130 lbs). If somebody knew this I would be in more trouble...:lol: It is just the way I look at myself. Everybody thinks differently (or say that I look beautiful). I wish I was thin but I also know I have to eat something. Men told me many times I was ugly......the bad stuff they say about you is easier to believe and somehow there is this voice in my head that says that I am raped because I am ugly........

Find the real cause and you can help.....it is not about not eating. The reasons are sometimes horrible........

How to help from a Christian point of view? I don't know...all I know is that God helps me a lot right now.....although I slip out of his warm embrace once in a while, the bible helps me to find His safety again :smile:

Lots of love and sunshine
Queen :Q:

[mossrose]

*OT

although I slip out of his warm embrace once in a while, the bible helps me to find His safety again
Sweet little sister, I want to gently correct you on this.....you NEVER slip out of His embrace.....you just forget you are there. He does NOT let us go, we only think we lose sight of Him for a time.....

:hug:

[Queen]

*OT


Sweet little sister, I want to gently correct you on this.....you NEVER slip out of His embrace.....you just forget you are there. He does NOT let us go, we only think we lose sight of Him for a time.....

:hug:

:HUG:

[mossrose]

:smile:

[Solly]

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slly

[Queen]

bump

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Doing the bump here

:dance: