Eating disorders impact the entire family, yet the toll on each member may manifest in very different ways. While some family members may deal with the stress by talking with friends, and counselors, meditating, exercising, or doing yoga, others may deal with the issue in a more destructive manner.
“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and freedom.” -Viktor Frankl
I will never forget this one particular group. I was sitting in a treatment center in Tucson, Arizona in the spring of 1986 and the facilitator asked for a volunteer. I froze. There were 30-35 patients sitting in a circle in a large conference room with a wide-open space in the middle as the facilitator moved gracefully around the center. After a few moments, a young woman, who I believe came in two weeks ahead of me, timidly raised her hand. The therapist thanked her and for the next 90 minutes I observed sublime human connection.
People have long speculated why girls love horses. It seems that most girls go through a phase that includes loving these big, four-legged friends. For as long as I can remember, I have been one of these girls. Growing up on the south side of Chicago, most people I knew had never gotten to pet a horse, let alone ride one. I was lucky enough to have parents who nurtured my love of everything equine and supported me on my journey working with and riding horses. My favorite photo is one of my dad leading me around on a pony when I was just about two years old. My mom said I grabbed the saddle horn and kicked legs to make the horse go. From that point on, I was like a moth to a flame.
Seeking treatment at the appropriate level of care is important for helping you progress in your eating disorder recovery. Thankfully, there are many eating disorder professionals and resources that can help you or your loved one decide what level of treatment might be most suitable for your specific needs.
As patients step into the inviting and tranquil setting of the brain center on the campus of The Meadows Ranch, they are engulfed by the smell of eucalyptus and the sound of a trickling waterfall.