728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › Eating Disorders › Eating Disorders in the Spotlight

Eating Disorders in the Spotlight

An Interview With Eve Eliot

Pages:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  

So in order to have children with better values, YOU must have better values. You cannot be worrying about your appearance, even silently, and expect your child not to worry about his or her appearance. You cannot say, "It's what's inside that counts," and expect your child to embrace that unless you truly feel that yourself.

iP: How is anger related to disordered eating and other addictive cycles?
EE:Anger is neither attractive or cozy and women are taught not to show it. So the anger gets shunted out of the emotional expression loop. It becomes what is called "split off" from the rest of the person's emotional repertoire. Like anything exiled, it wants back in, wants to be naturally integrated. The disordered eating is one way that the anger lets us know it is there. Many people have temper tantrums that consist of eating a pound of candy. In my books, Phoebe often eats when she is angry and so does Hannah. Samantha tends to starve herself no matter what is happening, but she used cutting as an expression of anger.

iP: How can therapy help?
EE: It is very helpful to examine the beliefs that shape our feelings and choices, and therapy can help enormously in examining beliefs, as many beliefs we hold are extremely hindering, such as that it is not a good idea to express anger.

Beliefs are not reality; beliefs are thoughts we have thought over and over again so that they become habitual – almost like addictions. If someone holds beliefs that impede their growth, it can be life-changing to uncover those beliefs.

For example, if someone believes that it is impossible for them to live without cookies – even though cookies are not an essential food group – this belief will consistently sabotage their most sincere efforts. Other hindering beliefs which are very common are: Being overweight is the worst thing in the world; life is hard; change is unlikely; losing weight requires sacrifice, struggle and moping; it is not possible to be completely happy.


Pages:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  


Want to see more?