teen who eats 13,000 calories a day!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

But this just goes back to what I said before - you can't expect someone with a mental health problem to behave rationally, they don't and that's the crux of the problem. You have to get beyond bad self-esteem, feelings of loss or whatever is the cause of the damaged psychology. Unfortunately its a lot easier to say to someone "just get over it" than it is to actually do it.

I understand what you are saying. I wouldn't say "get over it". I would say that there are priorities. The odds of our tax paying dollars successfully curing people with cancer and other diseases is much higher than with the people in drug treatment programs or obesity or any other pyschological disorder. Those types of diseases need family support more than anything. They need the local community to come together and help that person. There are other programs out there designed to show people what path they are heading down if they continue their behavior and it works for some people. I've seen kids who thought they had it bad until they went on a church mission to another country and saw how bad the people had it there. Then they were more appreciative of what they had and changed their way of thinking.

I don't see why we have to pay for every single person's issues. When I was a kid I had no health insurance. I literally had to be dying and then my father would take me to the emergency room. It sucked. I think first and foremost we have to look at regular health issues before we start paying for all the psychological issues that a decent family could take care of.

Well this is just one extreme case - hardly paying for "everyone's issues". She's lucky that she's going to get some sort of professional help. Many others aren't.

But I do wonder whether there's a difference in attitude towards this when the problem is one of overeating, rather than binging and purging.

[Cassie 8]

But this just goes back to what I said before - you can't expect someone with a mental health problem to behave rationally, they don't and that's the crux of the problem. You have to get beyond bad self-esteem, feelings of loss or whatever is the cause of the damaged psychology. Unfortunately its a lot easier to say to someone "just get over it" than it is to actually do it.

I understand what you are saying. I wouldn't say "get over it". I would say that there are priorities. The odds of our tax paying dollars successfully curing people with cancer and other diseases is much higher than with the people in drug treatment programs or obesity or any other pyschological disorder. Those types of diseases need family support more than anything. They need the local community to come together and help that person. There are other programs out there designed to show people what path they are heading down if they continue their behavior and it works for some people. I've seen kids who thought they had it bad until they went on a church mission to another country and saw how bad the people had it there. Then they were more appreciative of what they had and changed their way of thinking.

I don't see why we have to pay for every single person's issues. When I was a kid I had no health insurance. I literally had to be dying and then my father would take me to the emergency room. It sucked. I think first and foremost we have to look at regular health issues before we start paying for all the psychological issues that a decent family could take care of.

Preventative medicine, both physical and mental, would do a lot to save money, time and stress on the system down the road. Then you'd have oodles of money for lots of stuff.

[S and S 12]

But this just goes back to what I said before - you can't expect someone with a mental health problem to behave rationally, they don't and that's the crux of the problem. You have to get beyond bad self-esteem, feelings of loss or whatever is the cause of the damaged psychology. Unfortunately its a lot easier to say to someone "just get over it" than it is to actually do it.

I understand what you are saying. I wouldn't say "get over it". I would say that there are priorities. The odds of our tax paying dollars successfully curing people with cancer and other diseases is much higher than with the people in drug treatment programs or obesity or any other pyschological disorder. Those types of diseases need family support more than anything. They need the local community to come together and help that person. There are other programs out there designed to show people what path they are heading down if they continue their behavior and it works for some people. I've seen kids who thought they had it bad until they went on a church mission to another country and saw how bad the people had it there. Then they were more appreciative of what they had and changed their way of thinking.

I don't see why we have to pay for every single person's issues. When I was a kid I had no health insurance. I literally had to be dying and then my father would take me to the emergency room. It sucked. I think first and foremost we have to look at regular health issues before we start paying for all the psychological issues that a decent family could take care of.

Preventative medicine, both physical and mental, would do a lot to save money, time and stress on the system down the road. Then you'd have oodles of money for lots of stuff.

What type of preventative medicine do you propose that will help most of these cases?

[Cassie 8]

But this just goes back to what I said before - you can't expect someone with a mental health problem to behave rationally, they don't and that's the crux of the problem. You have to get beyond bad self-esteem, feelings of loss or whatever is the cause of the damaged psychology. Unfortunately its a lot easier to say to someone "just get over it" than it is to actually do it.

I understand what you are saying. I wouldn't say "get over it". I would say that there are priorities. The odds of our tax paying dollars successfully curing people with cancer and other diseases is much higher than with the people in drug treatment programs or obesity or any other pyschological disorder. Those types of diseases need family support more than anything. They need the local community to come together and help that person. There are other programs out there designed to show people what path they are heading down if they continue their behavior and it works for some people. I've seen kids who thought they had it bad until they went on a church mission to another country and saw how bad the people had it there. Then they were more appreciative of what they had and changed their way of thinking.

I don't see why we have to pay for every single person's issues. When I was a kid I had no health insurance. I literally had to be dying and then my father would take me to the emergency room. It sucked. I think first and foremost we have to look at regular health issues before we start paying for all the psychological issues that a decent family could take care of.

Preventative medicine, both physical and mental, would do a lot to save money, time and stress on the system down the road. Then you'd have oodles of money for lots of stuff.

What type of preventative medicine do you propose that will help most of these cases?

I'm thinking purely in terms of those with food issues when I answer this question, FYIW.

More emphasis on and access to exercise and nutrition in schools, YMCAs, after school programs, etc.

Access to mental health counselling in junior/senior high schools, when a lot of this stuff starts.

I know I benefitted mightily from free counselling available at my university, which helped me with depression not related to my weight. I honestly feel that if that had been available much earlier in my life at school, I might have gotten to my current mindset years quicker and saved me from having two knee surgeries, a gall bladder removal, and a hysteroscopy to remove polyps -- all directly related to my weight issues.

Oh and in a perfect world, I'd also give people who have never had to deal with these kind of issues some sensitivity and understanding training too. Some changing of attitudes in today's society would work wonders.

Edited August 4, 2008 by Cassie

[S and S 12]

What type of preventative medicine do you propose that will help most of these cases?

I'm thinking purely in terms of those with food issues when I answer this question, FYIW.

More emphasis on and access to exercise and nutrition in schools, YMCAs, after school programs, etc.

Access to mental health counselling in junior/senior high schools, when a lot of this stuff starts.

I know I benefitted mightily from free counselling available at my university, which helped me with depression not related to my weight. I honestly feel that if that had been available much earlier in my life at school, I might have gotten to my current mindset years quicker and saved me from having two knee surgeries, a gall bladder removal, and a hysteroscopy to remove polyps -- all directly related to my weight issues.

Oh and in a perfect world, I'd also give people who have never had to deal with these kind of issues some sensitivity and understanding training too. Some changing of attitudes in today's society would work wonders.

I completely agree with these programs and really wish they would institute them. I dealt with my mother dying of cancer when I was 9 years old and had very little support to help me deal with it. My brother has been into drugs, drinking and all kinds of trouble because his issues were never addressed. As for understanding being overweight, that would be hard for me to do. There wasn't enough food in my house growing up to possibly become overweight. Many days I ate maybe 500 calories. I had no lunch money because my father drank what money we had. My friends gave me the rolls off their plates because they felt sorry for me and by the way I didn't have breakfast either. Excuse me if I have a hard time understanding obesity. I was on the opposite side of the spectrum. Sure, I could have complained and then ended up in foster homes that often abuse children (so that wasn't an option either). Because I started out life not eating much, I am still not in the habit of eating more than I need. Of course everyone handles their issues differently. I never said I wasn't all for preventative measures that could help a number of issues. I just mentioned how I felt about after it is too late. Do I feel for that girl? Absolutely, I do feel bad she has been reduced to this. The problem is that until there are more preventative measures the people we have to hold accountable are the parents. They could prevent all of this and if not them the nearest relatives or friends. We can't go around telling people how to raise their kids though so issues like this can often go around in circles.

[Cassie 8]

What type of preventative medicine do you propose that will help most of these cases?

I'm thinking purely in terms of those with food issues when I answer this question, FYIW.

More emphasis on and access to exercise and nutrition in schools, YMCAs, after school programs, etc.

Access to mental health counselling in junior/senior high schools, when a lot of this stuff starts.

I know I benefitted mightily from free counselling available at my university, which helped me with depression not related to my weight. I honestly feel that if that had been available much earlier in my life at school, I might have gotten to my current mindset years quicker and saved me from having two knee surgeries, a gall bladder removal, and a hysteroscopy to remove polyps -- all directly related to my weight issues.

Oh and in a perfect world, I'd also give people who have never had to deal with these kind of issues some sensitivity and understanding training too. Some changing of attitudes in today's society would work wonders.

I completely agree with these programs and really wish they would institute them. I dealt with my mother dying of cancer when I was 9 years old and had very little support to help me deal with it. My brother has been into drugs, drinking and all kinds of trouble because his issues were never addressed. As for understanding being overweight, that would be hard for me to do. There wasn't enough food in my house growing up to possibly become overweight. Many days I ate maybe 500 calories. I had no lunch money because my father drank what money we had. My friends gave me the rolls off their plates because they felt sorry for me and by the way I didn't have breakfast either. Excuse me if I have a hard time understanding obesity. I was on the opposite side of the spectrum. Sure, I could have complained and then ended up in foster homes that often abuse children (so that wasn't an option either). Because I started out life not eating much, I am still not in the habit of eating more than I need. Of course everyone handles their issues differently. I never said I wasn't all for preventative measures that could help a number of issues. I just mentioned how I felt about after it is too late. Do I feel for that girl? Absolutely, I do feel bad she has been reduced to this. The problem is that until there are more preventative measures the people we have to hold accountable are the parents. They could prevent all of this and if not them the nearest relatives or friends. We can't go around telling people how to raise their kids though so issues like this can often go around in circles.

You and I are essentially agreeing, just coming from completely different life experiences and that's fine. I just wish you had said this at the beginning.

Edited August 4, 2008 by Cassie

[one...two...tree 2,762]

why do people seem to have more understanding of bulimics or anorexics?? but when someone is overweight they are called lazy etc... oh they should just stop eating so much etc..

For one, a person doesn't have to be addicted to food to be overweight. A poor diet and sedentary lifestyle are usually the biggest factors into being overweight...so I think that's why people tend to be less sympathetic. I'm not saying it's right, but that would be my guess.

As for this girl - who knows how much of her problem is from addiction and how much is from having a mother who is a poor role model? The only sure way to find out, is to remove her from her home for a period of time, put her on a healthier regiment of diet and exercise...and get both the mom and daughter in counseling. This girl is old enough though that with the right direction, she could change for the better on her own, even if her mother is unable or unwilling to change her unhealthy lifestyle.

Edited August 4, 2008 by Jabberwocky

[Sassy1natl 0]

why do people seem to have more understanding of bulimics or anorexics?? but when someone is overweight they are called lazy etc... oh they should just stop eating so much etc..

For one, a person doesn't have to be addicted to food to be overweight. A poor diet and sedentary lifestyle are usually the biggest factors into being overweight...so I think that's why people tend to be less sympathetic. I'm not saying it's right, but that would be my guess.

As for this girl - who knows how much of her problem is from addiction and how much is from having a mother who is a poor role model? The only sure way to find out, is to remove her from her home for a period of time, put her on a healthier regiment of diet and exercise...and get both the mom and daughter in counseling. This girl is old enough though that with the right direction, she could change for the better on her own, even if her mother is unable or unwilling to change her unhealthy lifestyle.

[britty 1]

For those who have indicated that my smoking addiction was in fact not an addiction, I can assure you that cigarettes occupied my thoughts all through the day, from ensuring I had enough of them in my bag to when I was having the next one. Without them I was irritable and a general pain in the ***. Knowing they would probably kill me or at the very least leave me with a horrible illness, I carried on regardless. I would say that I was an addict. I quit one sunny Monday morning and haven't touched one since. I still long for them but I resist. The 15 year old girl eating herself to death has three options - she either stops eating 13000 calories a day, someone stops her eating 13000 calories a day, or she's dead by 18. If she is a compulsive eater then why not eat fruit all through the day? Why not at least change the type of food that is being consumed? I think I would find it very very hard to consume 13000 calories a day without being sick, sluggish, bloated, uncomfortable etc. She probably experienced this also but still grew her appetite to what it is today. If she can dedicate herself to that then she has some will power and should concentrate that power on dieting.

[britty 1]

I britty...

I am quite partial to cute bunnies

[DeadPoolX 9]

Natural selection, survival of the fittest, whatever you want to call it. If its one of my family members or close friends then I try to help (regardless of what their problem or addiction is). If its a stranger, I don't want to waste my time and resources on you. I would rather send that money to children with cancer who have no choice. I am not sympathetic to anerexic or bolimic or cutters or drugies. I don't think obesity is somehow less of an addiction than any of the others. The thing is that more and more people are doing this to themselves while other people starve around the world. Maybe we should send the obese people there for awhile, maybe then they will learn how to eat less food. Same with the drug addicts. There are children in this world suffering in war zones, watching their family and friends die, not getting enough food, missing school because it is too dangerous, etc. I think I will put my sympathy with their mental anguish before someone who has had one or two things tramatic in their life. People need to be tought what they should be thankful for. No matter how bad it is, you can always find someone who has it worse. Maybe (if it is related to depression or psyhcological stress) we need to point out how good they have it.

"Survival of the Fittest" doesn't mean "only the strong survive" as we've come to accept it. It simply refers to someone's ability to keep their genetic line intact. There are two types of "being fit." There's "direct fitness" and "indirect fitness."

"Direct Fitness" states that if I have three children and you have none, I am considered "fitter" than you, since I have assured the continuation of my genetic line, whereas you have not. "Indirect Fitness" means I would help take care of a family member (such as a nephew or niece), since they -- in some part -- share some genetic code with me, even if it's in limited quantities.

So "Survival of the Fittest" really means "those who have children to carry on their family and genetic line are fit." It has nothing to do with strength or intelligence.

Natural Selection, on the other hand... that's a whole different ballgame, but I doubt very many people really wish to read up on that.

Edited August 4, 2008 by DeadPoolX

[Sinergy 3]

Shes the same size as this lady i work with who i dont like. She has type 2 diabetes as well and constantly complains that she doesnt feel well and doesnt know why. She also cant walk from her desk to our supervisors office without stopping twice for breath, and then constantly complains that she is hungry after the walk.

Im serious, she will eat a medium pizza hut pizza for breakfast, and then a few hours later a large pizza hut pizza for lunch, ALL BY HERSELF.

When someone told her one day she should see a dr, her weight could kill her (it was a friend of hers) she yelled at her saying she wasnt fat, she was just retaining water.

Shes gotta be atleast 450-500 pounds

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

why do people seem to have more understanding of bulimics or anorexics?? but when someone is overweight they are called lazy etc... oh they should just stop eating so much etc..

For one, a person doesn't have to be addicted to food to be overweight. A poor diet and sedentary lifestyle are usually the biggest factors into being overweight...so I think that's why people tend to be less sympathetic. I'm not saying it's right, but that would be my guess.

As for this girl - who knows how much of her problem is from addiction and how much is from having a mother who is a poor role model? The only sure way to find out, is to remove her from her home for a period of time, put her on a healthier regiment of diet and exercise...and get both the mom and daughter in counseling. This girl is old enough though that with the right direction, she could change for the better on her own, even if her mother is unable or unwilling to change her unhealthy lifestyle.

I don't think there is a mechanism for facilitating this. I don't think the UK NHS offers the sort of residential "fat camp" program that she's going to in Georgia. Council-run care homes aren't exactly supportive places....

[Marilyn. 340]

why do people seem to have more understanding of bulimics or anorexics?? but when someone is overweight they are called lazy etc... oh they should just stop eating so much etc..

For one, a person doesn't have to be addicted to food to be overweight. A poor diet and sedentary lifestyle are usually the biggest factors into being overweight...so I think that's why people tend to be less sympathetic. I'm not saying it's right, but that would be my guess.

As for this girl - who knows how much of her problem is from addiction and how much is from having a mother who is a poor role model? The only sure way to find out, is to remove her from her home for a period of time, put her on a healthier regiment of diet and exercise...and get both the mom and daughter in counseling. This girl is old enough though that with the right direction, she could change for the better on her own, even if her mother is unable or unwilling to change her unhealthy lifestyle.

hmmmm, a lot of times when people are overeating it is because of some mental or emotional reason not because they are addicted to food... just like when someone is bulimic or anorexic, it is a mental or emotional issue......

For those who have indicated that my smoking addiction was in fact not an addiction, I can assure you that cigarettes occupied my thoughts all through the day, from ensuring I had enough of them in my bag to when I was having the next one. Without them I was irritable and a general pain in the ***. Knowing they would probably kill me or at the very least leave me with a horrible illness, I carried on regardless. I would say that I was an addict. I quit one sunny Monday morning and haven't touched one since. I still long for them but I resist. The 15 year old girl eating herself to death has three options - she either stops eating 13000 calories a day, someone stops her eating 13000 calories a day, or she's dead by 18. If she is a compulsive eater then why not eat fruit all through the day? Why not at least change the type of food that is being consumed? I think I would find it very very hard to consume 13000 calories a day without being sick, sluggish, bloated, uncomfortable etc. She probably experienced this also but still grew her appetite to what it is today. If she can dedicate herself to that then she has some will power and should concentrate that power on dieting.

well, you didn't mention this in your first post.... you just said you smoked because you enjoyed it...

[Fandango 1,439]

I think what Britty meant is that even though she was addicted, she enjoyed the activity of smoking...which as an ex smoker, I totally get.