Help for Women with Eating Disorders
by Nicole Wyatt
CBS 42 News
2008-02-25 14:10:00.0
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Nestled deep in the woods on a lake speckled with wildlife, lays Magnolia Creek. It may look like someone's home, but it's actually a treatment facility for women battling eating disorders. "This kind of allows them to have a retreat and escape the pressures of real life," says Dr. Nicole Siegfried. Dr. Siegfried is the clinical director of Magnolia Creek. She once battled eating disorders herself, so she understands what her patients at the facility are dealing with. "When women come in they're basically shells of their former self and we help re-establish who they are and really help them learn to begin the process of loving themselves," she adds. This is done through a minimum 30 day stay at the center, which only allows ten women in the home at one time. "We keep it small to keep a family feel and to have a real individualized treatment," notes Dr. Siegfried.
In the only ten months Magnolia Creek has been open, they've already helped 40 women get on the road to recovery, with the hope of helping many more find their way out of an eating disorder.
"I was in horrible shape when I came in here and I left in great shape." Former patient Meg Cook says she suffered from anorexia for more than ten years. After several hospitalizations, one for kidney failure, Cook realized she needed help. "I may have gone days without eating anything but a few almonds." After six weeks at magnolia creek, Cook says she is well on her path to overcoming anorexia. "I try to concentrate on in terms of my recovery is not the weight gain in terms of numbers but a gain in function in my life, thinking more clearly and being more active," says Cook.
If you or someone you know suffers from an eating disorder, Magnolia Creek can be reached at 1-888-7-Magnolia.
During National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, the following informative discussions will take place led by psychologist Dr. Nancy Berland, renowned lecturer, author and Alabama's foremost authority on eating disorders.
•6pm Wednesday, 2/27 Vestavia Hills Methodist Church 2061 Kentucky Ave.
•7pm Thursday, 2/28 Mt. Brook School Board Bldg. 32 Vine St.
There will also be a viewing of the HBO documentary, "Thin" followed by a panel discussion at 5:30pm Thursday, 2/28 at UAB Spenser's Honor's House next to the Alys Stephens Center.
The theme for the week is "Embrace Your Genes, Wear Jeans that Fit the TRUE You." It encourages people to donate their "too small" jeans as too often individuals struggle against their natural, genetically influenced size just to fit into that pair of "skinny jeans". Fighting your natural size and shape can lead to unhealthy dieting practices, poor body image, and even eating disorders. So do something good for yourself and others, drop off your old jeans Friday afternoon, 2/29 in the parking lot at 2200 Lakeshore Drive to be donated to the Exchange Club.
The National Eating Disorders Association wants everyone to know body size and shape are strongly influenced by biological factors and new discoveries are continually being made surrounding the role of genetics in the development of eating disorders. This supports the fact that eating disorders are serious illnesses, not choices. Every day researchers are discovering more about the influence of genetics and finding that, while environmental factors contribute, genetics play a part as well.
This is the nation's largest eating disorders outreach effort which is sponsored by NEDA whose mission is to support those affected by eating disorders plus be a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care, For recorded information call the Alabama eating disorders organization ALANEDA 205-967-2320 or you can contact Dr. Berland at 205.871.6926 or alanedafoundation@gmail.com.
To set up press interviews contact Linda Verin at adsthatwork@charter.net or 205.968.3650.
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