Struggles in Teens: Parents Can Overcome Feelings of Blame and Seek Guidance - Adolescence Eating Disorders - Eliminate Parental Guilt Over Missed Signs
Interview with Professor Beate Herpertz-Dahlmann on Mothers' Role in Addressing Anorexia Nervosa
By Verena Carl
In a conversation, Professor Beate Herpertz-Dahlmann, a distinguished German psychiatrist specializing in eating disorders among children and adolescents, discussed the significance of addressing the role of mothers' guilt in treating Anorexia Nervosa.
When asked about her personal weight management, Professor Herpertz-Dahlmann humorously admitted, "Of course, I monitor my weight, just like many other women."
While her specific views on mothers' guilt in this context aren't publicly detailed, her professional focus primarily centers on comprehensive treatment strategies for eating disorders. These approaches often encompass family involvement, acknowledging the important role families play in supporting recovery. However, they do not principally concentrate on instilling guilt as a therapeutic approach.
Generally, treatment for Anorexia Nervosa necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, integrating psychological therapy, nutritional counseling, and family therapy. The objective is to facilitate understanding and effective management of the disorder for both the patient and their family. Mothers, as a critical part of the family unit, play a pivotal role in the recovery process, but their involvement is cultivated in a supportive rather than guilt-evoking manner.
The field of eating disorders research largely consensus agrees that guilt is counterproductive and unadvisable as a therapeutic approach for family members, as it can exacerbate stress and impede recovery. Instead, emphases are placed on empowerment, education, and support.
For a deeper understanding of Professor Herpertz-Dahlmann's views, delving into her published works or interviews is advisable. However, the general premise stands: guilt is not a recommended therapeutic approach for family members in addressing Anorexia Nervosa.
The following are some of the main problems in the treatment of Anorexia Nervosa: science and mental-health. Science plays a crucial role in developing evidence-based treatments for eating disorders, and mental-health, particularly the well-being of family members, is a significant factor in supporting the recovery of patients.
