How We Rescued Our Child from Anorexia, Effecting a Complete Recovery in Just Six Months

In March 2003 our then 13 year old daughter, Helen, was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, at which point she was on the verge of being emaciated. Her BMI was approximately 15.

My initial reluctance to accept this diagnosis was dispelled towards the end of the month when Helen became severely dehydrated and suffered a complete nervous breakdown as the anorexia finally took total control of both her mind and body. It may sound melodramatic, but it was as if she had become possessed. Helen's reaction, when encouraged to drink a glass water in order to ease the stomach cramps caused by the dehydration, was uncharacteristically aggressive and resulted in an hysterical screaming fit which unnerved both myself and Fiona, my ex-wife. Helen flew into a rage and began to scream: "IT'S WEIGHT, IT'S WEIGHT, IT'S WEIGHT!"

At this point, we realised that we had no control over Helen whatsoever. However, by June 2003, only three months later, Fiona and myself had broken the illness and Helen was able to return to school. By September 2003 Helen had attained her perfect weight and the illness had been completely eradicated from her psyche. By January 2004, Helen was signed off by the adolescent mental health unit, her psychiatrist commenting that it was "one of the quickest recoveries" from mental illness that he had ever seen.

In order to break the anorexia, my ex-wife and myself devised a radical treatment programme which was contrary to the advice of the medical specialists and which, for a number of weeks, put us in direct confrontation with them. Throughout this period, I rigorously maintained the validity of our approach and predicted that the anorexia would be "done and dusted" by Christmas. Helen's psychiatrist was extremely sceptical and was clearly concerned by what he must have perceived as my over-confidence. The very next day, Fiona received a phone call (May 2003) in which it was suggested that I was actively perpetuating the illness and we were both summarily summoned to an emergency meeting set for the following week. However, before the meeting could take place, our approach finally started to show results and Helen put on two pounds, thus attaining her highest weight in two months. As a result, the meeting became a rather muted affair and it was agreed that we would be monitored but essentially left to continue Helen's recovery via our own methods.

In the various sections of our website: www.escape-from-anorexia.com we have set out to explain exactly how we rescued Helen from this dreadful illness using a combination of diet, exercise and confidence building measures. Helen also contributes, providing invaluable testimony as to what it felt like to be anorexic and explaining how we, her parents, were able to break the iron grip that the anorexic mindset had upon her.

We are not necessarily advocating our strategies to anybody else but we do sincerely hope that our account of Helen's record-breaking recovery may present some useful insights which might make a difference to you and your child.

Peter Morrisson
http://www.escape-from-anorexia.com

---

Feeling Tired? Cant Lose Weight? Tap Into Protein Power!

You're always hungry right? The last thing you have time... Read More

Successful Weight-loss Pointers

Well we're at it again, trying to honor our promise... Read More

Weight Control Tool: A Food Journal

All the weight control experts recommend keeping a record of... Read More

Are Your Nutrition Habits Robbing You from the Body You Desire?

What if by making a few small changes in your... Read More

Close Kept Secrets to Weight Loss

Discover secrets to overcome food addictions by releasing negative thoughts... Read More

Weight Loss Setbacks and the All or Nothing Attitude

I want to talk about the "all or nothing" outlook... Read More

Three Sure-Fire Ways To Lose Weight Get Healthier & Feel Great Without Dieting

--ONE--Learn how to reduce the fat, sugar and salt content... Read More

Close Kept Secrets to Weight Loss Lesson #7

Well, look at you go! You keep moving closer and... Read More

Want To Lose Fat? Eat More of This

If you've been working out with weights for any length... Read More

Positive Imaging for Weight Loss

Visualization is a powerful technique that can help you make... Read More

Slowing Down Can Help You Lose Weight Faster

Running For Weight Loss??.Slow DownYou may be out running your... Read More

Children of Gastric Bypass Patients at Risk for Eating Disorders

As parents who've had gastric bypass we face many challenges... Read More

To Diet or not to Diet, That Should Be The Question!

Diet information is everywhere. In advertisements, on TV, in magazines;... Read More

How To Lose Weight Quickly and Safely

"I eat like a bird, why do I gain weight?"... Read More

Movie Star Weight Loss Secrets ? Kathy Smiths Former Personal Trainer Speaks Out!

In the early nineties I had the opportunity to work... Read More

Low Salt Diet Tips for Kids and Adults

Our bodies only require a small amount of salt for... Read More

Could False Memories Be An Efficient Diet Helper?

Speculating on the scientifically proven memory unreliability, the memory specialist... Read More

Lose Weight With Soy!

The humble soybean boasts some extraordinary benefits. This nutritional powerhouse... Read More

Weight Training for Weight Loss

Weight training combines building muscle tone and working the cardiovascular... Read More

How to Burn Fat: Doctors Proven Weight Loss Secret #1

Let me ask you a personal question. As you read... Read More

Preventing Overweight and Obesity ? Are You Responsible Enough?

Obesity is now assuming epidemic proportions. Worldwide there are over... Read More

Is Zone Diet a Fad?

Is Zone Diet a Fad?How do you recognize a fad... Read More

Signature Lines on Weight Loss Websites

A reader recently wrote to ask why I don't include... Read More

Treadmill Weight Loss Tips

These treadmill weight loss tips are a great way to... Read More

Myth: Gastric Bypass Patients Can Never Be Nutritionally Healthy

A common claim from gastric bypass detractors is that after... Read More

4 Tips for Fast Fat Loss Part IV

Fat Loss Tip #4) Eat More ProteinYes, it's important to... Read More

Finally, Natural Weight Loss Availalble, Judge Lifts Ban on Ephedra

April 14, 2005 federal judge Tena Campbell of the federal... Read More

Water and Weight Loss

Water is useful when we are trying for losing weight.... Read More

Take Anything... Just Leave My Coffee Alone!

The pursuit of a healthier me (or you) shouldn't involve... Read More

When Gaining Love Means Gaining Weight!

Do you tend to find your weight increases when you... Read More

Fast Weight Loss Takes Time

I recently received the following email:Q. Five weeks ago, I... Read More

Weight Loss Superfecta

If you are a fan of horse racing, you are... Read More

No Low Carb Diet Progress? Sleep In To Get Thin!

If your low carb diet is going nowhere, maybe its... Read More