Shandon Therapy Centre

Individuals and Families living with Eating Distress in Cork

	Mission Statement
	What is Eating Distress?
	Recovery
	Family and eating distress

The Road to Recovery

Starting Point:

Eating Distress is not a choice. It is not simply a problem of weight which can be “fixed” by regaining “normal” weight. Eating Distress is a very serious psychological condition, which is extremely abusive, with highly self-destructive symptoms such as an eating disorder.
However nobody has to live with this condition. Full recovery from eating distress is possible for everyone.

Full recovery from eating distress is a healing process. The focus of behaviour slowly shifts from negative obsessions with food and starvation to constructive and positive mechanisms for coping with life. This leads to the full development of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual potential.

During this healing process people with eating distress learn the skills and strategies which enable them to live a meaningful and joyful life in an environment of their own choice, which, in turn, enable them to achieve their full potential.
Full recovery from eating distress is the result of transformation from a severe psychological illness to the manifestation of individual empowerment.

First Steps:

As a result of the extreme physical and psychological severity of the condition, professional intervention is necessary. The earlier the intervention - the shorter time of recovery. A multidisciplinary approach is required in which a team of professionals designs a specialised programme for clients and their families. Clients and their families are an integral part of the therapeutic team. Education about the condition, eating distress, is the first step towards recovery.

Landmarks:

Finding and nurturing hope is a key factor in recovery. Hope can be stronger than any therapeutic intervention. While the multidisciplinary team can offer a particular kind of relationship and help to foster hope, the family and carers offer mutual support and familial love.

Professionals and family/carers build a team who support the therapeutic process. The understanding and respect of this team promotes the client’s self-esteem which is a significant step on the road to recovery.

To sustain the recovery process, it is important that during therapy the client is guided toward life by developing a sense of purpose and overall meaning. Therefore, identifying a social or professional role and confirming the client’s creativity and spirituality are crucial.
Recovery can only proceed when the client is able to replace eating distress with a motivation for life in all its complexities.

Summary:

Recovery requires education about Eating Distress.
Recovery requires the involvement of the family.
Recovery requires people who believe in and support the person with eating distress .
Recovery requires the professional input of a multidisciplinary team.
Recovery takes place in a series of small steps and requires patience.
Recovery focuses on wellness not illness.
Recovery focuses on life.
Recovery is the process of reclaiming a chosen life and place within society.
Recovery is a journey of hope.
Recovery from eating distress is the discovery of the true self.
Recovery is possible for everyone.

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