Struggles faced by teenagers: Parents needn't bear the burden of responsibility - Adolescent Eating Disorders: Parents Should Not feel Blamed for Their Child's Struggles
Professor Herpertz-Dahlmann on Addressing Mothers' Guilt in Anorexia Nervosa Cases
In a recent Stern Podcast discussion, Professor Beate Herpertz-Dahlmann, a noted child and adolescent psychiatrist specializing in eating disorders, highlights the importance of alleviating guilt among parents, particularly mothers, when their child is diagnosed with anorexia nervosa.
A common yet counterproductive response, parental guilt can hinder effective support and recovery. To mitigate this, Professor Herpertz-Dahlmann emphasizes the significance of family-based therapy (FBT) and psychological support. These resources help parents view anorexia as a serious illness, rather than a reflection of poor parenting or personal failings.
Reducing guilt enables parents to actively participate in their child's treatment and healing process. This empowerment is crucial, as it enables mothers (and parents in general) to play a supportive and positive role in recovery.
While specific details about the Stern Podcast episode aren't provided, established expert consensus reflects the aforementioned perspective. The psychological impact of guilt on families, particularly mothers, is a recurring theme when addressing anorexia nervosa. By addressing and reducing guilt, families can work together more effectively towards recovery.
Scientific research in the field of mental health and health-and-wellness reveals the detrimental effects of guilt on families, especially mothers, in cases of anorexia nervosa. To combat this, it is crucial to incorporate psychiatric treatment for young people, including family-based therapy and psychological support, to help parents realize anorexia is a disease, not a reflection of poor parenting or personal failures. This understanding empowers parents to proactively contribute to their child's recovery and healing process, ultimately improving their overall mental health.
