THE CENTER FOR SELF LEADERSHIP
P.O.Box 3969
Oak Park, Il 60303
708.383.2659 phone
708.383.2399 fax
info@selfleadership.org
Eating Disorders and IFS
Submitted by hornedfrog07 on Fri, 12/04/2009 - 09:26.
I have to say, I am a client of IFS who is now in one year recovery. IFS has completely helped me. Unlike most treatment centers or other outpatient clinics I've attended, I am not here to kich my eating disorder's butt. I have learned that the Eating Disorder is a part of me (a very strong part). It's not who I am. It's not bad. It's not malicious. It's not something that needs to be defeated. On the contrary, if I try to defeat this Eating Disorder part, it will only become an excile and will only be triggered once again. My Eating Disorder part needs a relationship. It has been a while where I have been overwhelmed by the eating disorder's thoughts. I still have them on a daily basis, but my Self can reassure it that I am in a different time and place. Don't get me wrong, I still am learning how to comfort it and to be strong not to act on my behaviors, but I do know other people that fought hard in treatment and are back again. I think IFS has changed my life and will make my recovery an even stronger one. It's not going to go away, but I eventually will be able to comfort it and bring it to the present. I think that presenting the Eating Disorder part as one that is in a bad role rather than a part that you need out of your life definitely changes the focus of the recovery process.
Re: Eating Disorders and IFS
Hornedfrog, you posted to this topic long ago and interestingly there are no replies. I want you to know I have read your entry a couple of times now and waited to see how others might add to this conversation. I discovered that my daughter has bulimia and because of the lack of availability to an IFS therapist in our area she is now seeing a traditional psychotherapist. Her treatment is based largely on changing her behavior. I see how open ended and shallow such an approach is especially in light of the depth and dimensions of the probable root of the eating disorder.
I am hoping to hear of more experiences on this forum regarding success with eating disorders both from therapists and clients.
May I ask, how old were you when your eating disorder began to appear? Did you bring yourself to therapy or did others around you bring you to therapy? I am interested in the aspects of powerless I believe my daughter feels as a result of the death of a loved one, her father's new relationship combined with her applying to colleges and she was voted 'Best Dressed' of her senior class. After this last item I noticed an incredible amount of energy she began to put into how she looks. She obsessively scans the internet and reads endless blogs on fashion and style. When I asked about this sudden surge of interest I was met with an incredibly defensive posture-"I am not some materialistic shallow teenager! I am interested in the art of fashion, the history of couture!"
Maybe none of these observations are related to the eating disorder behavior. In fact, I will bet that everyone has a different story, and that, the common denominator is the eating disorder. Honestly I am reaching out into the dark on this. Even the light of a match would help at this point.
Re: Eating Disorders and IFS
I have an MFT from Azusa Pacific University in Azusa CA but have not been in private practice. I am doing research on family estrangement and have an associate with a daughter in IFS treatment for an eating disorder, am trying to understand how this approach works. Seems to be a dearth of information on estrangement altogether, so this is somewhat piecing together of a fragmented puzzle. Looking forward to input.