When Food Is Family

Eating Disorders

Relational Origins of Eating Disorders

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS on December 28, 2022

Empathic responses, compassion, and not taking the bait are tools for family members of those struggling with eating disorders to reach for throughout the holiday season.

Empathic responses, compassion, and not taking the bait are tools for family members of those struggling with eating disorders to reach for throughout the holiday season.

Trauma

When Complex Trauma & Severe Character Pathology Meet Part 2

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS on September 20, 2022

Part II of this series explores treatment options for complex trauma patients with severe character pathology and clinical considerations for the treating providers.

Part II of this series explores treatment options for complex trauma patients with severe character pathology and clinical considerations for the treating providers.

Trauma

When Complex Trauma and Severe Character Pathology Meet

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS on August 8, 2022

How sadism and masochism, rage and pain, loss and empathy, define the patient with complex trauma and severe character pathology.

How sadism and masochism, rage and pain, loss and empathy, define the patient with complex trauma and severe character pathology.

Anxiety

Anxiety Is a Mask and a Symptom, Not Just an Evolutionary Signal

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS on May 31, 2022

Anxiety may motivate us toward action, but its purpose and use are more psychologically complex.

Anxiety may motivate us toward action, but its purpose and use are more psychologically complex.

Eating Disorders

Eating Disorder Symptoms and Shame

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS on July 23, 2019

Guilt and fear of wrongdoing often induce shame in people with eating disorders. Examining what underlies shame aids in recovery.

Guilt and fear of wrongdoing often induce shame in people with eating disorders. Examining what underlies shame aids in recovery.

Eating Disorders

Crossing the Divide: Eating Disorder in Full Recovery

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS on December 4, 2018

What is full recovery from an eating disorder? How might resilience play a role and what contributes to a person's decision/capacity to recover fully?

What is full recovery from an eating disorder? How might resilience play a role and what contributes to a person's decision/capacity to recover fully?

Eating Disorders

Eating Disorder Recovery: The Connection to Sex and Intimacy

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS on June 4, 2018

People with eating disorders often are disconnected from emotions & have difficulty experiencing pleasure & joy; Sexual pleasure and relational intimacy follow a similar path.

People with eating disorders often are disconnected from emotions & have difficulty experiencing pleasure & joy; Sexual pleasure and relational intimacy follow a similar path.

Trauma

Me Too: Big “T” vs. Little “t” Trauma: Fact and Perception

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS on March 22, 2018

Eating Disorders are responses to trauma. "Me Too" validates. But who or what determines trauma? When is perception in the eyes and experience of the one perceiving?

Eating Disorders are responses to trauma. "Me Too" validates. But who or what determines trauma? When is perception in the eyes and experience of the one perceiving?

Advice and reflections for mothers with a history of trauma and an eating disorder. What is an attempt to be corrected or avoided gets repeated.

Symptoms and behaviors that attempt to deal with emotions and replace relationships abound.

Eating Disorders

Cause and Cure of Eating Disorders

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS on August 16, 2017

The language of eating disorders has changed, and there are now opportunities for greater understanding.

The language of eating disorders has changed, and there are now opportunities for greater understanding.

Suicide

Changing the Tide for the Severely Ill Eating Disordered

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS on June 5, 2017

​Eating disorder patients who have been on death's door provide profound opportunities for recovery. Doing the work is difficult, but fantastically rewarding: A therapist reflects.

​Eating disorder patients who have been on death's door provide profound opportunities for recovery. Doing the work is difficult, but fantastically rewarding: A therapist reflects.

Eating Disorders

Furthering the Discussion on FAT: Fear Not

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS on April 17, 2017

Ingesting fat is feared because of links to weight gain by people with eating disorders and those who don’t have an eating disorder. Addressing confusion and misrepresentation.

Ingesting fat is feared because of links to weight gain by people with eating disorders and those who don’t have an eating disorder. Addressing confusion and misrepresentation.

Eating Disorders

Recovery and Fulfillment in Loss and Longing:

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS on March 17, 2017

Understanding unconscious motivation, strengthening ego defenses, experiencing loss & longing facilitate eating disorder recovery and enable responsible & honorable decision making

Understanding unconscious motivation, strengthening ego defenses, experiencing loss & longing facilitate eating disorder recovery and enable responsible & honorable decision making

Body Image

Sexual Liberalism and Body Image Acceptance

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS on January 25, 2017

Criticism of others’ bodies is generally fueled by insecurity and dissatisfaction with one’s own body. Having body acceptance generally predicts sexual openness.

Criticism of others’ bodies is generally fueled by insecurity and dissatisfaction with one’s own body. Having body acceptance generally predicts sexual openness.

Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders: How Far We Have Come

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS on December 5, 2016

Causes of eating disorders are complex and multi-determined. A succinct understanding of where research and theory are headed.

Causes of eating disorders are complex and multi-determined. A succinct understanding of where research and theory are headed.

Are hook-up dating apps similar to eating disorders in their attempts to fix psychological ailments?

Eating Disorders

Cornerstone of Eating Disorder Recovery

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS on September 19, 2016

Emotions are inescapable. Negative emotions are powerful. Attempts to rid them are what eating disorders thrive on. It is often easier to have an eating disorder than to feel bad

Emotions are inescapable. Negative emotions are powerful. Attempts to rid them are what eating disorders thrive on. It is often easier to have an eating disorder than to feel bad

Attachment

Implementing Attachment Theory in Treating Eating Disorders

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS on August 12, 2016

Understanding the tenants of Attachment Theory and finding ways to operationalize theory in providing solid & appropriate treatment is useful regardless of how the issues got there

Understanding the tenants of Attachment Theory and finding ways to operationalize theory in providing solid & appropriate treatment is useful regardless of how the issues got there

Attachment

Mending the Eating Disorder Fence: Neither This nor That

Judy Scheel Ph.D., L.C.S.W., CEDS on June 28, 2016

Attachment issues in children and adults are precursors or precipitating factors in the development of eating disorders. What does this mean?

Attachment issues in children and adults are precursors or precipitating factors in the development of eating disorders. What does this mean?