Essay 4.2 Final

Courtney Roome

Narrative Argument Final Paper

Professor Eleanor Henderson


Eating Disorders- You Can't Just Flush It Goodbye 

It all happened after the flush of a toilet.  My parents rushed to the bathroom door and stirred up a whole lot of commotion for my sister, Ashley, to come out.  This was one vacation to Florida I would never forget.  

My dad escorted me down the hallway and into the kitchen, further away from the bathroom so he could talk to me in private.  I sat down as my eyes slowly gazed around the kitchen as I took a 360-degree glimpse of the ocean mural painted to perfection on my grandparent’s walls.  My dad asked me if I knew what had been going on with Ashley.  I was confused, and quiet, as I gently replied, “No…” My dad described to me that Ashley had a mental illness with her body and eating habits. 

I was 10 years old and Ashley, 13.  At my young age I had already learned the basics of eating disorders and what their characteristics are, however I never thought it would happen to my sister, I did not understand. 

I knew that there are a few types of eating disorders: Anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa, and I also knew that the symptoms involve extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors involving weight and food, which I had already experienced Ashley possess.  I remember witnessing Ashley not touch her food at the dinner table, always complain and make an excuse about not eating something, and pretty much struggle with this internal problem that none of my family seemed to understand.

Eating disorders -- such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder -- include extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues.  Eating disorders are serious emotional and physical problems that can have life-threatening consequences for females and males (NEDA, 1).  I am bringing up this issue to raise awareness to the public of the prevalence and seriousness of young men and women suffering with this disorder.  

In America, about 10 million American women and 1 million American men suffer with this illness.  According to the non-profit organization, National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, 95% of those who have eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25 (ANAD).  Since this is such a serious and prominent condition with young teens and adults, our society needs to be more aware of the associated illnesses that relate with eating disorders, tips and considerations of how to interact with these individuals, and education on appropriate early interventions. 

In our childhood and adolescent years, Ashley and I had many ups and downs.  It took Ashley a few years to be able to reach out to me and speak to me about her illness and well-being.  I would hear the piercing screams and fights between Ashley and my parents and would run to lock myself in my room.  I hated what this was doing to my family.  I felt so alone and angry at times, not having a best friend sister to turn to, and not being able to help the situation at all.

“The only reason why I didn’t kill myself, was because of you,” she told me.  Being a young teenager, I had no idea how to respond to her openness besides the tears that streamed down my face.  I love my Ashley more than anything and to hear those words project from her mouth made my heart sink lower than the Titanic in 1912.  This was the start to her opening up to me about her illness and how it has affected her in every way she can possibly imagine. 

The scariest thing is that I always think about is that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any disorder in young women.  The mortality rate associated with anorexia nervosa is 12 times higher than the death rate associated with all causes of death for females 15-24 years old. (Patrick, 1073).  One reason for this high death rate is because individuals are not receiving the proper care they need and are not receiving it at an early enough time.  Proper screenings of patient and assessing individualized treatment plans are key when planning for successful recovery!

Many people with eating disorders have other associated illnesses as well such as depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and substance abuse.  Ashley obtained all of these illnesses, and was constantly battling her mind and body day in and day out.  She had a hard time presenting her emotions, and most of the time could only portray them negatively –- she would have outbursts that consisted of slamming doors, screaming, cursing, and physical violence.  I was afraid of her when she was in this state of mind and tried to avoid her at all ends, however it was during those moments when I feel like she needed me the most.  For people that have a friend or a family member suffering with an eating disorder they should be mindful and openhearted to this serious condition and treat the individual with as much nurturing care as possible. 

Since anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa young teens, parents, schoolteachers, and guidance counselors should all be aware of the symptoms of eating disorders and how to talk with someone undergoing the symptoms.  Some considerations to keep in mind are to listen to the individual, use positive and encouraging language, do not place blame or guilt upon the individual, ask their goals and motives, and seek a plan of action together.

It took Ashley over a decade to get through some successful treatments and therapies.  She started out in her young teenage years at our hospital, the Princeton Medical Center, where she spent a few months in forced rehabilitation.  After speaking with Ashley about her therapies she explained that most hospitals have a poor philosophy of treatment.  Ashley stated that the hospital had too much of a medical approach that being it was not person-centered, and only looked at the fixing the disability.  For an example, she went through force feedings in a locked down, highly controlled and planned environment.  After her few months of treatment in the hospital, I saw no positive changes.  I knew that she needed something better and more person-centered to effectively help her cope with all of her issues. 

When an individual is seeking treatment for an eating disorder they should be in a more relaxed environment pertaining to their interests, abilities, and functions.  After many more years of therapy Ashley found a wonderful program called Mirasol located in Tuscan, Arizona.  Mirasol’s treatment philosophy seeks to treat the person as a whole-- mind, body and spirit.  Some of these therapies include acupuncture, organic and holistic, Chinese medicine, adventure therapy, energy therapy, and expressive arts therapy.  When Ashley came back from this rehabilitation, I could see a new light in her eyes.  Even though the whole recovery treatment is a long process, I could tell that she had a different head on her shoulders and was now taking the right steps on the road of recovery. 

Throughout all the treatment programs, we had lost a lot of money.  Many insurance companies do not cover for expenses related to certain mental illnesses that THEY consider to be “biologically based.”  The estimated treatment of an eating disorder in the US ranges from $500 per day to $2,000 per day.  The average cost for a month of inpatient treatment is $30,000 (Mirasol).  I remember hearing my parents bicker about this all the time, saying that Ashley needs to go to therapy however we cannot afford it.  It is a sad, and unfortunate issue that many families face while trying to receive the proper medical care for their sick loved ones.   

Even after all these years, Ashley still suffers from internal struggles that only she knows how to handle.  My family and I are still very supportive with her, and always try to bring out the best in her.  Parents and role models to children need to be aware of these serious health conditions that affect our young population.  With knowledge about these disorders care-givers can then identify individuals at early ages with eating disorders, help them set up a proper individualized treatment plan, and lead them in a hopeful and successful direction.  Eating disorders are a part of a mental illness that not only affects the individual’s state of well-being but the families, and friends as well.  Family and friends must be supportive and kind-hearted when interacting with people of this mental condition.  There are also many good therapeutic treatments out there, however one must look to find the most positive and effective treatment plan catered to their individuality and severity of the disorder, in hopes of a successful and influential recovery. 

Works Cited:

"Alternative Eating Disorder Treatment." Mirasol. Mirasol, 2010. Web. 8 May 2011. 

"Eating Disorder Statistics." National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. 

     ANAD, 2011. Web. 7 May 2011. 

NEDA. "What is an Eating Disorder? Some Basic Facts." National Eating Disorders Association. N.p.,

     2005. Web. 6 May 2011.

Sullivan, Patrick F. "1073." The American Journal of Psychiatry . 7th ed. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 May 2011.