I hear Oprah is going to introduce a reality show about eating disorder rehab. We already have The Biggest Loser, and Intervention, both dealing with types of eating issues, but this will be a look into an intensive inpatient experience of eating disorder treatment. I have mixed feelings about this!
As an eating disorder therapist, who has overcome her own eating disorder, I can tell you that if I were in treatment, and suffering, I would not want camera crews, microphones and lights in my face. This would so alter my experience of treatment as to make it something completely other than it is supposed to be. Would I get a major discount if I say yes? Will I get paid to be on this show? I wonder.
Eating disorders are very serious. Anorexia is a possibly lethal psychological diagnosis. The longer you have it, the more likely you are to die of it, as it destroys the body. The current figures are five percent to 20 percent of people diagnosed with anorexia will die from the complications of the disease. Bulimia is also very serious, and if left untreated, 10 percent of bulimics will die as a result of the disease. It too destroys the body. Compulsive overeating leads to obesity and that too is deadly.
So, if I am so sick that I need inpatient treatment, do I want to be concerned with my hair and make-up while I talk about how I want to die and how much I hate myself? I don't think so. In addition, if I am severely ill with either anorexia and/or bulimia, my brain is not functioning properly. The malnourished brain is not logical, rational or capable of approving a camera crew and a reality show to take part in the treatment. If my parents, or another responsible party, OKs it on my behalf, how will I feel about this once I get well?
On the other hand, rehab is very expensive. The costs for a 30 day stay can run from $30,000 to $90,000 and up. Insurance may pay a small portion of this but generally insurance will only pay for a few days and after that you are on your own. Since not too many people who are suffering can afford this, I do think that they may benefit from seeing what does happen in treatment and may be able to apply it to themselves. However, treatment is not a one size fits all bag and you may see something on TV that is not right for you, individually, at all.
So, how do you feel about it? Let's talk.
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Jan Shepherd: Emotional Fillers: Confronting My Binge Eating Disorder
As people who have suffered from eating disorders would already know, it's scary what these disorders do to your thoughts. You will see a person on the verge of death from hunger and wish you looked like that and look up to them for inspiration. These disgusting thoughts take over you. This show will become a source of "tips" and "thinspiration" for those with an eating disorder, no matter how much they try to deglamourize it.
On the other hand, I can see how it would be good for eating disorder awareness. However, I think that can be done in other ways than doing it through filming people who are struggling with low, if not nonexistent, self-esteem and extreme self-consciousness for a show on mainstream TV involving celebrities.
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We would all be better off if reality shows were disposed with altogether.
Second, the various reality programs are scripted or staged and this gives both an inaccurate perception to a viewing public and is also not healthy for the participants.
For those who've commented on this best be left as a documentary, I agree.
And for those of us who enjoy an occasional protest, and good information, we'll rely on Stanton Peele, Andrew Weil, Dr.Keith Ablow, Charlotte Kasl, Anne Fletcher, and Dr. Charles Whitfield.
Eating disorder is a disease. People who suffer should not be exploited and this is not entertainment. All the boundaries seem to be breaking in our society.
http://graciouslivingdaybyday.com/
http://www.heavy2healthy.com
no spam just my weight loss journey.
They also ask me to talk to my patients and encourage them to be on such shows. Confidentiality, respect for the healing experience, honor to the individual's process goes out the window in search of ratings based on voyeuristic interests.
If I sound angry, I am. People who strive for eating disorder recovery are courageous, dedicated people committed to doing the deep and personal work necessary to free themselves from their eating disorder and step into a healthy and more fulfilling life. If they want to write about it later, fine. That could be encouraging to others. But to film it while it's in process is like digging up a seed periodically to see how it's doing. The growth experience is distorted or stopped.
I see such shows as going for ratings and turning recovery work into a circus - not giving consideration to the people who are serious about getting well.
Joanna Poppink, MFT
http://www.eatingdisorderrecovery.com
http://www.twitter.com/joannapoppink
Jeanie Smith (one of the 5 speakers in Seattle Food Addiction Summit last April, 2009)
On the other hand I have no problem with some of the documentaries that have come out on eating disorders . They don't exploit their subjects in the same way reality shows do.
It has taken me another 15 years to recover and, whilst there were many factors in play, I am distinctly uncomfortable with the idea of cameras filming treatment, particularly of younger people; and I would also feel wary of watching this kind of programme now in case it re-triggered my illness.
I appreciate that raising awareness is key and that it might help people to recover should they realise how difficult inpatient treatment is - but I think there are other ways of doing this that might be equally effective and less risky for those involved.
Better now, or still invested in being a victim?
Either way, they are making a conscious decision to put their eating struggles out there for the world to see.