VANCOUVER -- Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness. That in itself is frightening, and when patients refuse treatment or aren't committed to recovery, it's very hard on family and friends. So what can they do to help? Researchers are going to patients and their families themselves for answers.
LORALEE LAWSON SAYS, "I COULDN'T SEE I WAS THIN OR TOO SKINNY, PEOPLE TELLING ME YOU'RE TOO SKINNY. I COULDN'T SEE IT."
For three years, Loralee Lawson struggled with anorexia nervosa and bulemia. What began as a diet before grad, spiralled out of control when an injury put an end to her softball career in university.
LORALEE SAYS, "I WANTED TO LOSE MORE AND MORE WEIGHT, I FIGURED IT'S THE ONLY WAY I COULD FEEL BETTER AND BETTER AND IN TURN IT MADE ME FEEL WORSE AND WORSE. TO THE POINT I WAS GOING TO EMERGENCY 10 TIMES A MONTH. ALWAYS PASSING OUT AND HAVING SEIZURES FOR MY BLOOD SUGAR WAS SO LOW."
CAROL-ANN LAWSON, MOTHER, SAYS, "I WAS SCARED STIFF, WE THOUGHT SHE WAS GOING TO DIE ON US. THERE WAS ALL OF US//THERE WAS ALL OF US. PLEASE EAT, WE'RE MAKING FOOD, YOU'VE GOT TO EAT. THEN SHE WOULD DO TO JUST GET US OFF HER BACK, SHE'D EAT THEN GO TO THE BATHROOM TO GET RID OF IT."
JOSIE GELLER, REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST, DIR. OF RESEARCH, EATING DISORDERS CLINIC, ST. PAUL'S HOSPITAL, SAYS THAT SOMETIMES THE MOST DIRECT PATH TO RECOVERY ISN'T ABOUT GETTING RIGHT IN THERE AND TALKING ABOUT EATING.
Researchers at St. Paul's Hospital say it's better for parents to support their loved ones by giving them space to come to terms with the underlying problem. But not everyone can do this, that's why they're launching a 3 year study to find out what works and doesn't work for patients and their families.
JOSIE GELLER SAYS, "THE MORE THAT WE CAN KNOW WHAT HELPS THOW WHO ARE HAVING AN EASIER TIME OF IT, WE CAN GIVE SOME POINTERS TO THOSE WHO ARE HAVING MORE DIFFICULTY AND ALSO WE'RE INTERESTED IN KNOWING IF INDIVIDUALS WANT DIFFERENT THINGS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF THEIR RECOVERY."
3 years into her recovery, Loralee is making up for lost time, playing with her niece and getting her health back on track.
LORALEE COMMENTS. "THAT WAS MY TWO CHOICES TO DIE OR TO GO TO TREATMENT AND TRUST PEOPLE AND I DID. NOW I'M HEALTHY.. I'VE GOT MY LIFE BACK."
Loralee says it's taking a while for her body to fully recover from the stress of plunging to her lowest weight of 88 pounds. But she's much happier now and has a social life. During those three years, she pushed many of her friends away. As for her family, she says they're closer than ever. If you'd like more information about the eating disorders program, you can go to www.stpaulseatingdisorders.ca
Monday January 30, 2006
