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disordered eating and eating disorders...

4/28/2015

 
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We see it every day in the media – celebrities and models with flawless, photo-shopped bodies that are unrealistic and unobtainable for the majority of individuals. Seeing these types of images can sometimes make us believe we should all look that skinny, toned, buff or cellulite free, and even push some to extreme, unhealthy behaviors, like restricting caloric intake or over-exercising. Eating disorders are more common than we tend to think. In fact, about 24 million people in the United States suffer from an eating disorder. Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, are considered mental illnesses. Out of any mental illness, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate. Below are some more shocking statistics about eating disorders today.

- 91% of women surveyed on a college campus had attempted to control their weight through dieting, and 22% dieted “often” or “always.”

- 86% report onset of eating disorder by age 20; 43% report onset between ages of 16 and 20.

- Anorexia is the third most common chronic illness among adolescents.

- 95% of those who have eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25.

- Over one-half of teenage girls and nearly one-third of teenage boys use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting, and taking laxatives.

From these statistics it is clear that eating disorders among individuals, especially adolescents, need to be addressed. This is a well-written article that defines positive and negative body image, factors that contribute to a poor body image, the negative consequences of poor body image, and techniques to help your teen have a more positive body image. Although not openly discussed, it is important to remember that males also struggle with eating disorders, and it is important to know what the warning signs are. For more reading, you can read about one man’s struggle with bulimia and how he got help. 

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Be sure to check out the handouts from our last speaker series - 
Dieting and Disordered Eating in the Teenage Years: How to help your daughter/son combat social pressures and maintain a healthy and confident body image!

-Erin Brown

Grief and Loss Support for Teens

4/23/2015

 
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Each of us will at some point be impacted by the death of a friend or loved one.  It is a common experience, yet it can be difficult to discuss openly.  The grief process is different for each person which makes open communication even more important, but this is sometimes blocked by developmental factors (e.g., grief in childhood vs. adolescence and adulthood) which influence our reactions to, and understanding of grief, and sometimes grief is complicated by the type of loss. 

Adolescence is a particularly difficult stage of life, even without the additional burden of grief – grieving teens may end up feeling lost or confused if they do not have someone guiding them through the process.  As adults, we can help attenuate some of their pain by normalizing their experiences while giving them space to be teens. 

This process is not easy, but don’t give up!  Sometimes it might seem like the only person who could possibly get through to your teen is their future (wiser) adult self, but indeed, adults have the ability to shape outcomes by providing compassion and support to grieving teens.  Often times the environment in which a teen is left after a loss is more important to the teen’s ongoing psychological development than the actual circumstances of the loss itself.    

Be sure to also check out our Community Resource page.


-Olivia Norton

Remembering What Really Matters

4/9/2015

 
Dr. Carter recently shared this blog post, Remembering What Really Matters, with me and I wanted to share it with all of you!  It’s a great read but this sums it up well –   
“Stop worrying about your kids’ grades and acceptances and standings. There are 24 hours in a day. Cultivate empathy and caring and goodness. There is a broken world out there. Just waiting for our children to help fix it.”
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-Katie Bryant

What not to say to your teen!

4/2/2015

 
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While this article may seem geared towards much younger kids, it is a great reminder for all of us.  I think as parents we can be quick to say something in the heat of moment and never think about the impact it has on others.

Others don’t always hear what we are saying.  Sometimes they hear how we say it and hang on to just one piece of what you are trying to get across.  Here is a great example of this!

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Communication keeps us connected to our kids!  I like how this article has examples of a better way to ask the question.

I also enjoyed the Secrets for Communicating with Teens.



-Katie Bryant

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