Thursday, July 30, 2009

First mailing!

My first mailing goes out this week! My business cards arrived yesterday, so the packets are now complete. Pictures and information about the packets soon to come!

Wondering if your school will be receiving a mailing? Check the Mailing Lists tag. I am open to suggestions of public and private schools I should reach out to.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Ask the Expert - Week 2

Each Friday, I will post a question answered by Dr. Kathryn J. Zerbe. The questions are part of an on-going coversation with Dr. Zerbe from the New York Times.

NY Times Bio
Dr. Zerbe is the author of “The Body Betrayed: A Deeper Understanding of Women, Eating Disorders, and Treatment” (Gurze Books, 1993) and “Integrated Treatment of Eating Disorders: Beyond the Body Betrayed” (Norton, 2008). She has had 25 years of experience working with individuals with eating disorders and directed the Eating Disorder Unit at the Menninger Clinic for five years. She also served on the American Psychiatric Association’s Work Group on Eating Disorders in 2000 and 2006.


Week Two
I recently began running (in March) and since then have had no menstrual cycle. After seeing my gynecologist, she suggested that my amenorrhea, vegetarian diet, and increased fitness program meant that I could be struggling with an eating disorder. However, I eat very healthily and my weight is well within the suggested weight for my height (I am age 18, 140 and 5′11).

It’s true that I do not like to eat fattening foods, preferring to eat healthy, nutritional alternatives (toast with cottage cheese instead of cookies as a snack, for example) but does this mean that I am anorexic? I feel that my gyn. is not seeing the bigger picture here.

From Dr. Zerbe:
It sounds to me as if your gynecologist could be onto something, although I cannot be sure because I have not met with you in person, of course. Here is how I think about a situation such as yours.

Loss of one’s menstrual cycle and eating such a low-fat diet might be signs of an eating disorder. Be aware that we all need essential fat and soluble vitamins for healthy functioning of our brains, our metabolism and our entire bodies. Because many patients with an eating disorder begin with the desire to be trim and fit, it is often hard to know, without consulting a specialist in the field, when running and a particular diet begin to shade into a full or even subclinical form of anorexia or bulimia.

The exact weight of a person is less important than the emphasis one places on looking or feeling a particular way and the amount of time and attention placed on exercise. This is why we in the field say that the first step in recovery is being very honest with oneself about how much time and attention the focus on weight, diet and exercise is taking. We also ask, “Are you really satisfied in your life with respect to your work, your relationships and your overall self image? If you gained 10 pounds, would you feel your world was falling apart?” This helps one know if one is thinking too much about the body and hinging self worth on it.

Mailing Lists - Sent

SCHOOLS

Academy of the Holy Angels
Assumption Academy School
Bishop Eustance Prep School - Pennsauken
Bishop Guilfoyle Regional Catholic School
Camden Catholic - Cherry Hill
Christ the King - Haddonfield
De La Salle Christian Brothers - North Arlington
Delbarton School
Don Bosco - Ramsey
Glocester Catholic - Gloucester City
Holy Cross HS - Delran
Holy Family Academy
Holy Trinity School - Westfield
Immacualte Heart Academy
Lady of the Lake
Marist High School
Mary Help of Christians Academy
Mons. Donovan HS
Morris Catholic
Most Blessed Sacrament
Notre Dame HS - Lawrenceville
Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child
Our Lady of Sorrows - East Orange
Our Lady of Sorrows - Hamilton
Paul VI HS - Haddonfield
Queen of Peace
Resurrection School - Cherry Hill
Resurrection School - Jersey City
Sacred Heart HS - Vineland
Seton Hall Prep - West Orange
St. Andrew the Apostle - Clifton
St. Ann - Raritan
St. Anthony of Padua - Butler
St. Augustine Prep - Richland
St. James - Basking Ridge
St. Leo the Great - Lincroft
St. Margaret - Woodbury Heights
St. Mary's - Vineland
St. Peter's Prep - Jersey City
St. Rose of Lima - Haddon Heights
St. Rose of Lima - Short Hills
St. Stephen - Kearny
St. Vincent de Paul - Stirling
Union Catholic - Scotch Plains
Wildwood Catholic - North Wildwood




Sororities
Centenary College

Theta Epsilon Nu



Drexel University
Phi Sigma Sigma
Alpha Kappa Alpha
Alpha Sigma Alpha
Chi Upsilon Sigma
Delta Phi Epsilon
Delta Phi Omega
Delta Sigma Theta
Delta Zeta
Phi Mu
Sigma Psi Zeta

Mailing Lists - Worked Up

Schools


Sororities

Bloomfield College
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
Chi Upsilon Sigma Sorority
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
Lambda Theta Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

TCNJ
Delta Phi Epsilon
Delta Zeta
Kappa Delta
Phi Sigma Sigma
Sigma Sigma Sigma
Theta Phi Alpha
Zeta Tau Alpha

Fairleigh Dickinson University
Alpha Epsilon Phi
Alpha Kappa Alpha
Alpha Sigma Tau
Delta Sigma Theta
Lambda Theta Alpha
Sigma Gamma Rho
Zeta Phi Beta

Kean Univeristy


Monmouth University
Alpha Sigma Tau
Alpha Xi Delta
Delta Phi Epsilon
Phi Sigma Sigma
Theta Phi Alpha
Zeta Tau Alpha

Montclair State University
Alpha Iota Chi
Alpha Kappa Alpha
Chi Upsilon Sigma
Delta Phi Epsilon
Delta Sigma Theta
Delta Xi Delta
Lambda Tau Omega
Lambda Theta Alpha
Mu Sigma Upsilon
Omega Phi Chi
Phi Sigma Sigma
Sigma Delta Phi
Sigma Delta Tau
Theta Kappa Chi
Zeta Phi Beta

Mail Merge!

Re-learning how to use a Microsoft Mail-Merge was....interesting, to say the least. I wasted SO MUCH paper before I finally figured out what I was doing incorrectly! Happily, the first 20 introductory letters for my mailing are now written, printed, and in the process of being attacted to my packets. Satisfaction!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Preparations

I'm gearing up for my first mailing to New Jersey Catholic Schools. I decided to begin with Catholic schools because I am an alumna of them. I am in the process of assembling the packets, collecting addresses, and even having business cards made to include! I'll post a copy of the finished product after the first batch is mailed.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Summer Events at the Renfrew Center

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Summer Recharge Program for Those Recovering from an Eating Disorder

August and September 2009


The Renfrew Centers of Philadelphia and Florida are offering a special summer session for those who are struggling or who may simply need to “recharge” their recovery. Unlike Renfrew’s traditional intensive therapy programs, this program particularly focuses on relapse prevention and preparing for “Life After Renfrew.” The Summer Recharge Program offers the opportunity to join together in a community of hope, healing and recovery.

For more information, please call 1-800-RENFREW

Summer Events at the Renfrew Center

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Back to School
A FREE Workshop for College Students Coping with an Eating Disorder


Tuesday, July 28, 2009
6:00pm - 8:00pm

Locations: Radnor, PA; Coconut Creek, FL; New York, NY; Ridgewood, NJ; Wilton, CT; Charlotte, NC; Brentwood, TN; Dallas, TX


Join other college students, also returning to school in the fall, who have struggled with an eating disorder and develop strategies to sustain and strengthen your recovery. This 2 hour workshop will help you develop an individualized plan for maintaining recovery at school and at home during breaks.

Topics include:

College Experiences
Eating & Body Image Challenges at School
Taking Responsibility for Your Own Health and Recovery
Parental Expectations About Eating and Treatment Needs
Independence, When Your Parents Still See You as Their Child
Building an Eating Disorder Safety Net at Home and at School
Creating and Sustaining Relationships at Home and at School
Relapse Prevention Strategies

Cost: FREE

To register online for the July 28th workshop,
click here!


For more information, please contact Jenna Hoskinson at 1-800-RENFREW, ext. 3246 or at jhoskinson@renfrewcenter.com

Summer Events at the Renfrew Center

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Voices of Recovery:
An Evening with Miss America


Wednesday, July 22, 2009
7:00pm - 8:30pm

The Renfrew Center of Philadelphia

Guest Speakers:
Kirsten Haglund, Miss America 2008
Iora Haglund, Kirsten’s Mother


Group Facilitator:
Adrienne Ressler, MA, LMSW, CEDS
National Training Director
The Renfrew Center Foundation

Please join us for a special evening with Miss America 2008, Kirsten Haglund, and her mother, Iora Haglund. Kirsten, who battled an eating disorder as a teenager, will share her inspiring story of recovery and why “Awareness of Eating Disorders” became her platform during her reign as Miss America. Iora Haglund, Miss America’s mother, will provide a parent’s perspective on her daughter’s eating disorder recovery and will offer hope and guidance to parents and loved ones who are supporting their own family members. A question and answer session will follow the program. Family and friends are welcome to attend.

Register Here!

Cost*: $10 per person; $25 per family (3 or more)
*Proceeds benefit The Renfrew Center Foundation for treatment scholarships.

For more information, please contact Jenna Hoskinson at 1-800-RENFREW, ext. 3246 or at jhoskinson@renfrewcenter.com

Friday, July 17, 2009

Ask the Expert

Each Friday, I will post a question answered by Dr. Kathryn J. Zerbe. The questions are part of an on-going coversation with Dr. Zerbe from the New York Times.

NY Times Bio
Dr. Zerbe is the author of “The Body Betrayed: A Deeper Understanding of Women, Eating Disorders, and Treatment” (Gurze Books, 1993) and “Integrated Treatment of Eating Disorders: Beyond the Body Betrayed” (Norton, 2008). She has had 25 years of experience working with individuals with eating disorders and directed the Eating Disorder Unit at the Menninger Clinic for five years. She also served on the American Psychiatric Association’s Work Group on Eating Disorders in 2000 and 2006.


Week One

I can’t believe I am actually reading something on my age group. I am 49 years old and have been suffering with bulimia/laxative abuse for more then 2 years now. After listening to a recorded talk by one of the directors at Remuda I was able to pinpoint what triggered my disorder. Sadly, that doesn’t help regarding treatment. I live in Philadelphia (home of Renfrew) but am the primary breadwinner in my family (which includes 2 daughters) which makes it impossible for me to seek intensive treatment (either outpatient or residential). Even with decent medical insurance, high copayments make it also impossible for me to seek even moderate therapy. Sometimes I can put 2 days together without suffering but more often then not it’s multiple x/day. Sorry, this is much more then a comment but I was so excited to read about my age group that I got carried away. Hope to read more in the future!
— Gayle


From Dr. Zerbe:
You might consider seeing if there is a support group for midlife women with eating disorders in your area. Be sure to also consult with your primary care doctor to make sure that a medical cause has been ruled out. There are also some excellent training programs in Philadelphia (the Beck Institute; the medical schools; and the Psychoanalytic Institute of Philadelphia) where trainees treat patients at lower cost. You might find some affordable treatment there to help you. There is also a chapter in each of my books, “The Body Betrayed” and “Beyond the Body Betrayed,” on anorexia and bulimia in middle age. Good luck!

Volunteer Opportunities with ANAD


I'm currently working with the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders as a Community Resource Contact. My job is to bring packets of information about EDs to local schools, doctors offices and facilities, as well as to put sufferers and their families in contact with treatment providers. I also attend health fairs to help educate medical professionals about EDs and new developments in treating them.

It it really fulfulling - I know the information I'm providing is going to help other people sturggling with their EDs get started on a path to recovery.

ANAD provides a range of volunteer opportunities for people with a lot or a little time time to give. There is really something for everyone. All of the services ANAD provides are FREE, so volunteers help make the organization run smoothly.

For all my Greek readers: ANAD is one of the national philanthropies for Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority.

The ANAD Mission Statement:
The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, Inc. is a non-profit corporation that seeks to prevent alleviate the problems of eating disorders, especially including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and obesity.

ANAD strives to educate the general public and professionals in the healthcare field to be more aware of the illnesses relating to eating disorders and methods of treatment.

ANAD encourages and provides research to investigate the causes of eating disorders, methods of prevention, types of treatments and effectiveness, basic facts about those affected by eating disorders and to formulate relevant statistics relating to their illness.

ANAD seeks to act as a resource center, gathering and providing information about eating disorders, including sources and facilities for treatment.

ANAD encourages interested individuals and groups to join together in seeking a cure for the problem of eating disorders.

Finally, ANAD seeks to do any and all things necessary in order to fulfill the corporate purpose.

Volunteer Opportunities:
ANAD has ample opportunities for those volunteers who want to fight eating disorders.

Form or lead one of more than 260 ANAD support groups.

Become one of more than 600 ANAD resource people.

If you are located near Highland Park, IL volunteer at our home office.

If your college degree requires that you spend time as an intern for an organization such as ANAD, contact ANAD regarding Internships.

There are abundant opportunities to help with legislative/advocacy issues and for professionals who may wish to provide pro bono services on ANAD’s behalf.

Contact Information: http://www.anad.org/
Contact ANAD for help, support, or more information about eating disorders:
P.O. Box 7 Highland Park, IL 60035
Phone: 847-831-3438

Welcome!

Welcome! My name is Kelly, and I am the South Jersey Resource Person for the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD). The blog is for keeping my constituents updated on the latest news from ANAD as well as eating disorder recovery, treatment, book reviews and more! It will also chronicle my work with a variety of organizations that promote the treatment of eating disorders.