Eating Disorder Awareness

February is the National Eating Disorder Awareness Month. For those of you who do not know me, this issue is one that has personally affected me and still impacts me greatly on an emotional level. 


**I know how triggering this topic can be for many so please take caution in reading. This post WILL HAVE CONTENT THAT IS SENSITIVE TO SOME READERS. YOU ARE READING AT YOUR OWN RISK.** 


Eating disorders do not discriminate. They are apparent in many cultures, ethnicities, races and backgrounds. It is easy for some to view a picture or watch a show on television of an emaciated figure with bones portruding out of his or her skin, and see that that person has some sort of eating disorder. What many don't realize, however, is that people who are at a "normal" or "above normal" weight can also have some type of eating disorder. Regardless of what type, all eating disorders (EDs) center around the attitudes, behaviors and emotions tied to issues with food and weight. 


Eating disorders include:

Anorexia Nervosa- self-starvation and excessive weight loss.

Bulimia Nervosa- cycle of bingeing and behaviors preventing weight gain such as self-induced vomiting or laxative use.

Binge Eating Disorder- binge eating without behaviors to prevent weight-gain.

What causes EDs?
There is no one cause in the development of an eating disorder. Some say it's genetics, some argue it is environmental, and some believe it's cultural. I personally believe all these factors can play a role. 


However, no matter what the cause, awareness is crucial. "You can't put a face on an eating disorder... but you CAN face them."


Resources:
National Eating Disorders Association
Something-Fishy

Role of Social Workers in Adoption

In order to prepare for a job interview, I decided research what exactly the role is of social workers throughout the adoption process. I thought I would share what I found in my research. 


Role of Social Workers
Here is an excerpt from the National Association of Social Workers on their website, written by Deborah Gray, MSW, MPA:

Homestudies are completed on every adoptive family. The homestudy is an interviewing and educational process in which families are assessed to determine whether they can provide a safe and nurturing home. It is also an opportunity to provide adoption-specific information to families. It helps them to position themselves realistically in determining potential needs of children and their resources to meet those needs.

Social workers complete the homestudies and help acquaint families with adoption issues during the homestudy process. The homestudy process helps families to make realistic decisions including whether they can care for one child, a sibling group, or children with special needs. They explore such concepts as continuing contact with birthfamilies, the lifelong identity processes of adoptive family members, transracial or transcultural adoption, and their own strengths, limitations, and expectations.