Dr. Lyndsay's Blog

Dr. Lyndsay on CBS8 San Diego!

2012-02-27T17:15:00.001-08:00

Males, Tweens and Disordered Eating Behaviors

2012-02-27T17:13:00.000-08:00

It's Eating Disorder Awareness Week

2012-02-27T17:10:00.000-08:00

http://www.myhealthyoc.com/2012/02/eating-disorder-awareness-week-orange-county-psychologist-dr-lyndsay-anorexia-help/

Valentine's Day Tips from Dr. Lyndsay

2012-02-14T06:27:00.000-08:00

http://www.lovingyou.com/articles/845137/valentines-day-tips-from-dr-lyndsay

Dr. Lyndsay's Valentine's Day Tips on ABC15

2012-02-14T06:22:00.000-08:00

http://www.abc15.com/dpp/lifestyle/sonoran_living/quality-time-valentines-day-tips-for-everyone

Tween Bullying and Eating Disorders: Battling the Outer and Inner Attacker

2012-02-07T16:21:00.000-08:00

Dr. Lyndsay on Tween Parent

Dr. Lyndsay on Fox40 Sacramento talking about Body Image

2012-02-07T16:10:00.000-08:00

Welcome the New Year with Reflection

2012-01-05T05:20:00.000-08:00

See Dr Lyndsay on Good Day LA!

2012-01-05T05:16:00.000-08:00

http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/good_day_la/clinical-psychologist-dr.-lyndsay-elliott-is-here-to-talk-major-holday-family-issues-on-gdla

Article with Dr. Lyndsay

2011-12-05T18:14:00.000-08:00

http://blogs.psychcentral.com/weightless/2010/04/eating-managing-stress-healthy-coping-qa-with-lyndsay-elliott/

Guest Blog by Annie Fox!

2011-11-29T06:50:00.000-08:00

Dr. Lyndsay's Guest Blog:

She's Your Daughter and She Needs You

by Annie Fox, M.Ed.

Over the past decade research has indicated that girls are getting their periods earlier and earlier. Experts weighed in about the ramifications of the early onset of puberty. Higher risk for cancer, violent victimization and depression made the list. (Depression in girls can lead to cutting, eating disorders, substance abuse, and sexual promiscuity.) Scientists explored the possible causes of this "trend". Turns out, according to the research done by biologist Sandra Steingraber, American girls' onset of menarche (getting their first period) has pretty much stayed the same for the past 35 years. That is, 12.8 years to 12.6 years. What has changed fairly dramatically is the onset of thelarche (the development of breasts). According to the studies Steingraber reviewed in her ground-breaking 1998 book Living Downstream: A Scientist's Personal Investigation of Cancer and the Environment, "By age 8, 14% of American girls have breasts."

Read more here....

Coming Home From College for the Holidays: How to Handle the “Freshman 15”

2011-11-22T06:55:00.000-08:00

Starting college is an exciting but overwhelming time for most young adults. Learning how to balance academics, a new social scene, and any work obligations can leave self-care in a place of neglect. Even with the welcomed change of “leaving the nest,” transitions are a difficult time for most people, and learning how to nourish oneself without the conveniences of home can be a challenge.

You may notice that when your child comes from college for holiday break, that they have gained weight. Anxiety sets in because you’re concerned about how your child is taking care of themselves, what or if to say anything about the change, and yet not wanting to avoid dealing with possible issues that are associated with their changing body. Below you will find some strategies in dealing with such issues to help alleviate the stress as well as to provide support for your loved one:

· Don’t assume that the weight gain is an issue. Perhaps their changing body is reflective of self-exploration, new freedom and fun that they are experiencing at college. Creating independence and learning how to feed themselves appropriately takes time, and there is a learning curve associated with this new phase in self-care.

· Watch out for warning signs that your child is concerned about the changes in their body. How do they talk to themselves about the weight gain? Are they criticizing their bodies or complaining that they do not fit into their clothes? You may have to purchase a few new items of clothing during this time of transition so that they feel confident and comfortable, but you do not have to buy a new wardrobe. Once their weight settles out, you can decide what else, if anything, needs to be purchased.

· Have a body composition test done by a professional. Is the new weight reflective (and appropriate) of any growth that has occurred or an increase in age? Physical maturity usually completes during the college years, and weight gain/loss can occur during times of growth.

· Spend consistent time with your child, and be a good observer during meals. Are they eating intuitively, or are there new behaviors that cause concern?

· Continue to monitor your child’s actions following meals. Are they drinking a lot of water, then disappearing or spending long periods of time in the bathroom? If you suspect that your child is purging, you should confront them with any worries.

· State any concerns in a loving and clear, but firm manner. If possible, use the same descriptors that they are using themselves (i.e. “I’ve gained so much weight”) to prevent them from accusing you of believing they are “fat.” Any concerns that you have should be addressed directly in the context of what concerns your child is stating, or behaviors you have noticed.

· Ask questions. How is your child making the transition in college? What are their stressors in school? Have they developed friendships or when are they feeling lonely? Are they too involved with the social scene? Develop ways that you can best support them while also holding them accountable to take care of themselves (i.e. nourish themselves appropriately), and not be pushed away because your child is too embarrassed to admit any difficulties.

· Hold your child accountable for their actions, and any commitments they make to increase their self-care. If they are gaining weight because they are going out and drinking most nights, chances are they are neglecting other areas of their life (i.e. academics or sleep) and need to re-prioritize their commitments.

· Praise any positive behaviors during this time of transition. Remember that they are still learning, and continue to encourage in areas that are appropriate.

The holidays are for spending quality time with loved ones, and celebrating new milestones (i.e. college). Do not allow the weight gain to take away from such special and infrequent experiences, but rather enhance and build upon this new phase of their life. Afterall, you are still their parent, able to offer guidance and support in times of need, while also holding your child accountable for self-care and without avoiding potentially destructive behaviors. Finally, if your child still needs more support, encourage them to seek out help from their college counseling center where they can receive (often free) support to cope with stressors, or specialized counseling in food and body image issues.

Proud2BeMe

2011-11-15T07:10:00.000-08:00

Last month, the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) announced the launch of an interactive teen website, www.Proud2Bme.org! Proud2Bme is dedicated to promoting healthy attitudes about food, weight and body image, targeting teens and young adults.

The site provides youth with a positive, fun, interactive environment to learn, connect with others and take action for personal and social change—especially the many teens with body image issues or who have (or are at risk of developing) eating disorders. Through engaging content and community features, this unique online space offers news about entertainment, fashion, beauty and other relevant pop culture in a safe, age-appropriate environment. Additionally, there are forums and chat rooms where teens are able to interact and make new friends.

Corona Del Mar High School Presentation

2011-11-08T07:09:00.000-08:00

PARENTS, STUDENTS and EDUCATORS

WE INVITE YOU TO ATTEND A

PTA-SPONSORED EVENT

Presented by

Dr. Lyndsay Elliott, PSYD

and

Evelyn Tribole, MS, RD

CURRENT TRENDS IN FOOD, NUTRITION AND BODY IMAGE ISSUES:

Insights To Increase Your Awareness

and Promote a Healthy Self‐image in Your Children

1. Athletics and Performance Issues

2. Body Dissatisfaction: Risk Factors for Obesity and Eating Disorders

3. Eating Issues with Boys

4. Fad Dieting and New Concerns

5. Bullying and Body Image

6. Academic Achievement Expectations

7. “Gentle” Nutrition Information

WHEN: WEDNESDAY, NOV. 16^TH

TIME: 7:00 P.M.

WHERE: CDM LITTLE THEATER

Dr. Lyndsay Elliott, PsyD, is a Clinical Psychologist and maintains a boutique practice in Newport Beach, California. Dr. Lyndsay specializes in food and body image issues, and has been an expert in the field since 1996. Her past speaking engagements have included presentations for the California PTA, Hoag Hospital, NMUSD, UCI, OCC, St. Margaret’s High School and Concordia University. In addition to her blog and website, www.DrLyndsayElliott.com, Dr. Lyndsay, posts relevant disordered eating information via twitter @DrLyndsay, and on Facebook at Dr. Lyndsay Elliott, Inc.

Evelyn Tribole, MS, RD is a Newport Beach Registered Dietician. She has authored numerous written works on nutrition and diet-related issues, including the book Intuitive Eating. Ms. Tribole gained national recognition as a nutrition expert for many years as the correspondent for Good Morning America. More information about Evelyn can be found on her website at www.EvelynTribole.com.

Athletes: Disordered Eating and Body Image Issues on the Rise

2011-11-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

An estimated 14-62% of athletes are affected by an eating disorder, depending on the sport and the gender of the participant. These numbers appear to be on the rise due to increased awareness and treatment for such an elite group. Athletes face an even greater physical risk to themselves compared to non-athletes due to the stress that they place on their bodies on a daily basis. Those most vulnerable are involved in “appearance” sports (i.e. gymnastics, swim, figure skating and dance), however, they also occur in endurance sports (i.e. running or cycling) and sports that have weight classifications (i.e. wrestling). Many of these cases are not reported, or handled in secret due to pressures to perform and encouragement of coaches for achievement.

No one disorder affects these athletes, as food is used in a myriad of ways to cope. Some athletes may restrict caloric intake to drop weight or perform faster, while others purge their food to achieve the same goal. Others may become ravenously hungry due to high activity levels, binge because they are starving, and then compensate for calories thru excessive exercise or throwing up. Most athletes have disordered or idiosyncratic eating patterns due to the demands placed on their bodies.

Less is known about male athletes, since most of the research is measured with women. One issue they contend with is body dysmorphia, which leads to a preoccupation with becoming muscular, and a desire to promote size and strength of the individual. Many males affected with the disorder go unnoticed or untreated as there is an avoidance of discussing such concerns.

Coaches, teammates and parents should be aware of the traditional warning signs of eating disorders to help those that may be suffering. The team physician has the responsibility to monitor athletes for symptoms such as dizziness, decreased stamina, fatigue or weight loss. Without such monitoring, serious health risks, including cardiac failure, can occur.

Since the late 1980’s the NCAA has made a specific effort to target eating disorders in college athletes, conducting research and screenings. Posters for eating disorders are plastered all over female college locker rooms, and while the NCAA posts a 53 page brochure dedicated to the female athlete triad, there is nothing to specifically address males. More info on NCAA resources can be found at: http://www.ncaa.org/health-safety.

While the sport is not necessarily the cause of the disorder, the involvement in athletics coupled with any genetic/temperament predisposition to eating disorders, creates a convergence of risk factors that is problematic for athletes.

FREE Eating Disorder Support Group

2011-10-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

DISCOVERY IN RECOVERY

Community Outreach Program

FREE

Eating Disorder Support Group

And

Parents and Significant others Support Group

Groups meet separately

Wednesdays 7pm-8pm

Long Beach, CA

Please call 866.267.6151 for meeting location.

Discovery in Recovery welcomes adolescents, adults & family members in the community looking for support with eating disorder issues.

There is no cost to attend our group.

Any questions, please call 866.267.6151

10 Ways Parents Can Help Promote a Healthy Self-Image In Their Children

2011-10-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

As seen on www.TinyOranges.com:

1. Instill Confidence: When you comment on internal qualities you instill self-assuredness in your child. Use phrases such as, “You are really good at….” Or “You seem to really know…” Reward effort and completion, instead of outcome.

2. Encourage Movement: Find a physical activity that your child enjoys, and focus on how being active makes your child feel. Promote the health benefits of exercise, without emphasizing weight or the value of leanness.

3. Be Aware of Influences: Monitor the sources that are influencing your child. Check out what your kids are reading though the media and facebook, and listen closely (without intruding) to the conversations they have with their peers. Encourage your child to discuss what is going on around them, and to have a healthy critical mind of what they have seen or heard.

4. Be a Good Role Model: Eliminate the word “diet” from your vocabulary, do not discuss how much weight you want to lose, or how what you have eaten will impact your appearance. Be brave enough to remove the scale from your home.

5. Develop Positive Self-Beliefs: Help your kids to set realistic standards in evaluating themselves. Praise achievements. Identify areas where they can grow, and give them positive, accurate feedback on their performance.

6. Find Balance in your Kitchen: Offer a variety of nutritious and “junk” foods in your home for your children. Establish healthy eating habits. Help them to choose foods based on what their bodies need to give them energy. Do not limit portions or ban foods, and allow them treats as appropriate.

7. Be Kind to Others: Avoid speaking negatively about other people’s appearances and weight. First, it’s just not nice. Second, your child will wonder if you critique them, and may become fearful of being judged too.

8. Give Your Child Too Much Love: Consistently show your children how much you care about them. Give them physical affection, leave notes in their lunchboxes, offer praise frequently. But, be honest. Your kids will know if it is genuine!

9. Remember the Joys of Puberty: Weight and shape may fluctuate with growth and maturity. Normalize changes, and make sure your child understands that these fluctuations are a natural progression of growing up, and not necessarily indicative of the future. Everyone has an awkward stage!

10.Ask for Help: If you notice any concerning behaviors, seek the help of a professional as soon as possible. The quicker you can catch any blossoming disordered behaviors, the sooner you can help to resolve them!

Tips for Parents at Mealtimes

2011-10-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

Sit down for meals, uninterrupted and at the table as a family. Turn off the television.

Try not to bring up emotionally charged topics during mealtimes. It may cause the person to lose their appetite or turn to food to cope in an unhealthy way.

Set boundaries and expectations for what is to be consumed at mealtimes. Praise them when things go well. Avoid shaming when they have a difficult time, instead, focus on how you can help to make it easier to finish what is expected.

If you need professional support to set boundaries, enlist the help of a dietican or therapist.

Appear positive and supportive. Engage in conversations that do not involve “food talk.” Ask the person about their highlights of the day.

Engage with each child equally.

Be sure that everyone eats balanced, age appropriate meals, that include dessert!

Do not comment about how many calories, fat, etc. the meal has. Instead, focus on flavor and enjoyment of the food.

Try to control your own emotions and avoid venting about negative experiences. Definitely do not criticize yourself for what, or how much, you have eaten.

FREE or Low Cost Treatment for Eating Disorders

2011-10-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

Andrea's Voice was founded following the death of Tom and Doris Smeltzer's 19 year old daughter, Andrea, in 1999. Since her passing, Tom and Doris have committed their lives to the education and prevention of eating disorders. On their website, you will find a comprehensive listing of treatment options, which may be available as a low cost alternative.

The Great Debate: ED’s as a Brain Disorder?

2011-09-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

I’ve seen it so often in my practice. Young men and women being brought to treatment several months after the behaviors have been in effect. Starts off with “healthy” eating. Wanting to improve performance in athletics or just “feel better.” Parents hopeful that it is a “phase” that will pass, sometimes reinforcing of “eating well.” Friends make compliments on what appears to be an improved appearance. All of it very innocent.

Then a few months pass, the behaviors get more solidified and ritualistic. They feel comfortable and safe, and there is an obsessive quality to them. Not wanting the compliments to stop, or fearing they are going to become “fat,” the person tries harder at cutting back calories, or experiments with purging behaviors to get rid of excess calories. Is their brain working improperly when it is not being fed?

There has been an ongoing debate in the eating disorder community about whether eating disorders should be classified as “brain disorders.” Certainly, it can be argued that when a brain is not nourished enough, it will not work at its optimal capacity. Re-feeding the brain through consistent, reliable nutritional support is an integral piece of treatment that often makes people not only feel better, but think more clearly. It’s still a complicated issue that is exacerbated by factors such as anxiety, environmental factors (i.e. media, peers, coaches), family influences and genetic heritability, and sometimes medical factors (illnesses). It’s important that when treatment begins, a full assessment can be completed to understand what factors contributed to the behaviors, and how to create a team (i.e. dietician, physician) to be most helpful to get the brain and body working more effectively to combat the disordered issues.

Starving in Silence: Men have Eating Disorders Too

2011-09-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Brought on by bullying, criticisms from others, dieting behaviors and biological influences, men are just as susceptible to disordered eating issues as women. A 2007 study out of Harvard University shows that one in four of those diagnosed with anorexia/bulimia are male. Here is a wonderful article describing the journey of several men who struggled with eating disorders. If you have a son, this is well worth the read.

http://shoeleathermagazine.com/2011/feuer.shtml

The Scary Trend of Tweens with Anorexia

2011-09-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

An excellent article on how food issues start out so innocently, but create potentially deadly and lifelong physical/emotional effects at such an early age.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/08/08/tweens.anorexia.parenting/index.html

Back to School and After Summer Comparisons

2011-09-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

It’s back to school time, and soon your kid will be sharing the “who did what over summer” comparisons. A lot of this will be fun, informative conversation, and some of it will be filled with comparison and disappointment. Because we know that the majority of eating issues develop in the teenage or college years, it’s also a time where those more vulnerable may fall victim to food and body image issues.

People generally notice when others lose and gain weight. Because there is so much social referencing that occurs in the adolescent/teenage/early adult years, this generation is astute to these changes. Particularly after a break (i.e. a few months of summer vacation) where changes are more noticeable, the comparisons can start. You may hear you child say, “oh my gosh….did you see so and so” or “I can’t believe how so and so.” These are cues that you should pay attention to, and opportunities to understand how they are processing such comparisons.

In our culture (and driven by the media), thinness equates to being more attractive and popular. For someone who is unclear on what their social status is, they may go to food or their body to gain attention or cope with their feelings. It gives them the illusion of control over their appearance, and a sense of purpose. The dieting behaviors may start up, or become worsened by these interactions. Some emotionally eat for comfort. Others alleviate stress through bingeing and purging. Regardless of the “type” of behavior, without adequate support, these behaviors can cause more stress on the individual and worsen over time.

So, what to do? Best case scenario is that you build as much confidence in your child so that when these comparisons arise, they are resilient against trying to change themselves to gain social acceptance. Developing an ongoing dialogue about how to cope with peer pressures and disengage from negative talk about other people’s appearances. If you notice that your kid is starting to struggle, arm yourself with education and resources in effort to help it from spiraling out of control. If your child is at college, those campuses should offer counseling services (often, for free!) as well as have organizations devoted to food and body image issues.

Back to School Preparedness

2011-08-31T09:11:00.000-07:00

Ahhh…..it’s that time again! Parents love it. Kids both love and hate it. Whether you like it or not, going back to school is a time filled with excitement and trepidation. Preparing for it is essential, no matter how resilient you believe your child is, or is going to be. Starting back to school elicits a myriad of feelings of the unknown: academic expectations, peer pressures, bullies, mean girls, popularity contests, appearance issues, etc. Preparing for it with your child is important in making a good transition and helping to encourage success for the new year. Here are some ideas to help support:

· Be a good listener! Allow your child to share their thoughts on what they are excited/worried about for the upcoming year without interruption. The more you allow your teenager to have the space to share, the more information you’re going to have to help them. You might even be surprised by what they say!

· Don’t assume. What they were worried about last year may have changed, or new worries developed over the summer that you were unaware of.

· Encourage your child to think ahead of what the challenges might be. This will help them to prepare a plan of action and feel less overwhelmed.

· Timing. Wait for a good time to broach the subject. Best time to deal with tough feelings is when you’re feeling the most connected and the subject has already been brought up in some way.

· Be positive and confident in their abilities, without minimizing their feelings. If you are negative or worried, it may create another concern for your child…..you!

· Encourage them in ways that helped before. Think of situations where they handled themselves well or were confident. When kids are worried, they often feel helpless or hopeless that the situation will change, and it’s more difficult for them to access memories of those moments.

· Involve others to help. If you might not be the best person to help support your child, find someone who is. Better that you admit the limitations, than to possibly create more issues to be dealt with.

Best of luck for a successful academic and personal school year. Acknowledge how hard your child is working, as being an adolescent/teenager is a tough job that many of us NEVER want to do again.