Elizabeth Beck

Yesterday, I checked out Season2 Episode1 of This American Life on Showtime. The first segment, involving some kids in what I think is North Philly riding horses, brought back memories of grad school and missing my friends in the city of brotherly love. But, the next act, which discussed the story of a guy, about my age, with a muscular disorder trying to gain his independence from his family, was far more touching.

Mike Phillips lives with his mom (although this may have changed since the airing of the show?), and is largely dependent on others to care for him. Because of this, the (second) separation and individuation stage most people experience, where they pull away from their parents usually during adolescence, seems more challenging for him than for most. Mike requires a lot of physical maintenance and observation. A mistake can mean life or death for him. And he trusts his mom, who is thorough and is constantly paying attention to detail.

There are many dimensions to Mike and his story…he grapples with love, hopes, fears and dreams, just like anyone else. But there is a sensitivity that Mike has, along with a great sense of humor, that seems attuned in such a way that I feel like he must be incredibly introspective about himself and the world around him.

I have had health problems through out my teenagehood, often spending lots of time unable to move about, unable to eat, having to stay in bed and rely on others for help. Perhaps this is why Mike’s story has touched me in the way it did.

In any case, I also would like to show the episode to the clients I work with. Many of them despise their disabilities and have yet to come to terms with the possibilities that they can make for themselves (within reason). They always sound surprised when I mention people who are able to work with their disabilities to make the life that they wanted and were ultimately capable of having. I think Mike would be a great example of this- not because he is “an inspiration to us all”, but because he acknowledges his humanity and continues to hope, dream and strive despite the fact that he could easily live his life passively, in the way others choose for him.

I encourage everyone to check out Mike’s blog. Also, here’s a link to the TV show- This American Life on Showtime.

When I was working with individuals with eating disorders, I was struck by the qualities that seemed to accompany the personalities of anorexics. As I wrote my thesis, my literature review shed some light on my observations and how researchers describe these personality traits. For example, it has been mentioned in numerous studies that anorexics tend to exhibit qualities of perfectionism, obsessionality and the inability to feel happiness except during times of starvation.

It became clear to me that although the environment definitely has a defining influence on people who eventually develop eating disorders (abuse seems to precede the development of eating disorders in many cases, for example), I couldn’t help but wonder if genes also play a major role. I remember during my thesis defense discussing the possibility that one day we will have a better understanding of the biological mechanisms of anorexia, to the point that new drugs may be developed and be helpful in the same way that Lithium can be helpful for bipolar, or Prozac can be helpful for depression. Having medications that can help alleviate symptoms can increase the chance of therapy being successful…and this is so important in the case of anorexia, which has the highest death rate amongst young women in comparison to any other mental illness.

The current issue of Scientific American Mind has an article entitled “Addicted to Starvation: The Neurological Roots of Anorexia” that sheds light on the possible underlying genetics of eating disorders. It’s an interesting read and puts a lot of what is observed clinically into context.

I was surprised at the genetic similarity between drug addiction and anorexia, where people seem to be addicted to not eating. Certainly this had been a thought that crossed my mind before, even to the point where I wondered if something similar to a 12 step program could be helpful to some anorexic individuals…but I don’t recall actually reading anywhere a researched link between addiction and anorexia. Perhaps that is a new finding from recent studies? Or maybe I just missed it in my lit review.

I put a few new drawings up on the artwork page.

I recently attended a conference in San Jose hosted by UCLA’s TARJAN Center for Developmental disabilities entitled, Innovative Approaches: Treatment for People with Developmental Disabilities & Psychiatric Disorders. There I discovered that a new DSM specifically tailored to individuals with developmental disabilities is now available. The title is: The Diagnostic Manual –– Intellectual Disability (DM–ID): A Textbook of Diagnosis of Mental Disorders in Persons with Intellectual Disability.

I have yet to read it, so I’m not sure exactly what the differences are between this book and the DSM-IV-TR. I’m hoping that one of my administrators will be acquiring it soon for the clinicians at Redwood Place.

I suppose the reason for this text is to help clinicians and psychiatrists tease through the symptom presentation that is found within the dually diagnosed DD and mentally ill population, who often present differently than people without DD. This begs the question: so…when are they going to come out with a DSM specifically geared towards children? As many professionals have noticed, children often present differently than adults, which is not reflected in the current DSM. Perhaps a DSM for children is in the works, and I haven’t heard about it, after all, to me, the DD DSM was a surprise.

Sometimes I write posts for Indyish, a Montreal based artists/blogger forum.

Check out some posts I’ve made so far:

Why is art making therapeutic?

Thrill the world…zombies dance in Dolores park

My thesis is now posted and ready for viewing.