Thanks Katrine, emc and matangi
I took on board what you said and made further enquiries.
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Katrine said: Her condition is very, very stubborn....the twist inside her.....it will take serious, consistant, long term work to induce the needed shift in her. If she has been in counseling for a year without any appearant result - then she needs another therapist. NOW.
When discussed further with the mother today she said the amount eaten has not increased and the weight is the same, sometimes decreasing.
But: Emotionally she seems to have improved a little over the past couple of weeks.
There has been no self-harming (cutting)
She is talking more positively about wanting to get better - this is up and down, some good days some bad, but in general it is improving.
She has admitted to lying to her mother about her food intake, in the past couple of days and does not want to do this any more.
This seems to have coincided with the Thought Field Therapy (which I think is the same as EFT, discussed on the forum)
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Do not leave her alone.
Her parents might need a break....she might need a break.. ..are there not any good treatment clinics in Ireland? She might benefit from staying away from home. Not alone, mind you, but away from her ususal setting.
The mother has been advised to give up her job for a month or so, to be there as a support for her, I think she is going to do this from next week.
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Also: Is there anything....anything at all...that she is actually truly enjoying in life? If there is....enlarge it....have her enjoy it more often.
She loves school and in particular art. She is a very good student and even with the anorexa gets good results academically, she is quite tallented at art. She is encouraged as much as possible but has limited strength and endurance now to do anything.
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matangi said: Both anorexia and self-harming (cutting?) have powerfully addictive components that can be tough to break through. While a part of this young lady may genuinely want to get better, I'm suspect of her anorexic/self-harming parts. I agree with Katrine - she needs different help NOW. If there are any good treatment centers in Ireland she may really need this level of treatment now. (I have some experience working with anorexia in teens but it was in a residential treatment center.)
There are residential centres in Ireland but they have been advised to try and resolve it at home first as this is much more preferable in the long term.
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I do not support AYP methods for her right now. Her ego strength is weak and deep meditation may further compromise her at this point. While it's unclear for this teen, many teens experience dissociative states either prior to cutting - and they cut to ground - or they use the cutting for dissociating.
That's very good to know matangi - thank you- I will not risk this.
Apparently there are some meditation techniques that might help, do you know of any?
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emc said: Just a note also from the physical side... Therapies that work very well here in Sweden use a combination of inner and outer changes. When the body is in such extreme condition it becomes self-perpetuating. In order not to suffer from low body temperature, many anorexias move a lot, exercise or walk a lot. It is both a way for them to "keep thin" but also a natural response from the body to get warmer and more comfortable. So what they do is to heat up rooms where they can just lay down and relax, to help the body find balance again. Perhaps meditation/relaxation in a warm and very cozy setting would be optimal?
Thanks emc, yes apparently she drinks a lot of weak tea, the mother thinks to keep warm.
If we do get round to some sort of meditation or relaxation technique the very warm room sound good.
It seems that although there is no apparent change in the physical condition her emotional state is showing signs of improving.
Perhaps the new approach of the TFT is helping.
When discussing all this with her mother this afternoon it seemed to put things a little into perspective for her, so that is good.
I would be grateful for anyone to include Sarah in your Samyama, it seems she may be on the cusp of something, hopefully it will work out.
Thanks again
Louis