Sexual Performance Problems
Sex is routinely a topic of intrigue, fraught with layers of fantasy, eroticism, and curiosity. It also remains a taboo subject matter, the forbidden fruit. Thinking, talking and engaging in sex often stirs anxiety. Sexual dysfunction and issues of physical intimacy, including dissatisfaction, boredom, and lack of communication, are reasons why couples enter sex therapy. Resolution of the problems is […]
Sexual Communication Through Eating Disorders
There are many reasons why people turn toward an eating disorder: They may use it to cope, escape, avoid, serve as a proxy and become their emotional and relational voice. An eating disorder can be a substitute for and representation of sexual appetite, and that has implications for sexual communication in general. Sexual Representation of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia […]
Talking About Sex with Your Children: Who Is Uncomfortable?
A friend recounted a story about her then eight-year-old daughter who from the back seat of the car blurted out, “Mommy, what’s an orgasm?” My friend paused in disbelief, but gave some thought to the situation and replied with a question, “What do you think an orgasm means?” Her daughter responded that her teacher drew a […]
Crossing the Divide: Eating Disorder in Full Recovery
The moment of knowing that the time is right for change; the decision to stop being symptomatic is, for some individuals, a gradual process of non-linear progression. For others, it is the one quick moment of recognition that, “I am done,” or “I have had enough.” Whatever the fast trajectory or protracted process, those who […]
Eating Disorder Recovery: The Connection to Sex and Intimacy
People recovering from an eating disorder struggle to feel happy, experience pleasure, and find joy in their relationships. Typically, they also struggle with arousal, sexual pleasure, and relational intimacy during the active and early recovery phases of their disorder. Some can experience pleasure while lacking in relational intimacy; many others have varying degrees of emotional and relational intimacy. There […]
Me Too: Big “T” vs. Little “t” Trauma: Fact and Perception
The “Me Too” movement exploded in October 2017. Its intent was, and remains, to awaken people to the widespread prevalence of sexual harassment, misconduct and sexual abuse routinely occurring in the workplace. As an eating disorder specialist, woman and mother, the news of the movement was met with enthusiastic relief, yet concern. Most of the female patients […]
Mothers, Eating Disorders, and Histories of Trauma
There are numerous articles addressing the contemporary struggles for parents who have children with eating disorders. Many of the research and clinical articles are specific to mothers who have daughters with eating disorders. Eating disorders among females remain significantly disproportionate to males at a rate of 9 to 1. More research is becoming available regarding […]
When Food Is Food, When Sex Is Sex
Food and sex are a means unto their own; their motivations are pure, primary. Food tastes great, and sex is pleasurable. Both food and sex, as a general rule, are engaged in with others, although eating alone and masturbation also qualify as fun and gratifying. Sometimes both food and sex are used as vehicles and substitutions for […]
Cause and Cure of Eating Disorders
The question, “What causes and cures eating disorders” has been replaced in the last decade or so by, “What are the variables that contribute to the development of eating disorders and what does recovery look like.” Treatments for eating disorders vary in efficacy. Variability and inconsistencies in research outcomes are more usual than not. There […]
Changing the Tide for the Severely Ill Eating Disordered
Eating disorders have the highest mortality of any mental health condition. I have treated a number of patients who have been on death’s door from the medical consequences of an eating disorder. I have treated a smaller number of eating disorder patients who have sought my help following suicide attempts. My experience in dealing with patients […]