For carer support, call us today: 0800 2 EDANZ or (09) 5222 679

June 2023 Newsletter

In this issue...

  • Message from the Chair
  • What is Binge Eating Disorder?
  • The role of genetics in Arfid
  • Supporting Siblings: insights and strategies
  • Portrait of the novelist as a young athlete
  • Upcoming support meetings



We held our AGM last month, and we’re delighted to have a new Board member join to replace one of our long-standing volunteers retiring from the Board. I am also humbled to have been elected Chair for the coming year.

In this month’s newsletter, we have articles about lesser-known binge eating disorder and Arfid. We’ve also included an article with insights and strategies on how to support siblings of someone suffering from an eating disorder. Lastly, there’s a fascinating article by novelist Josie Shapiro whose eating disorder provided inspiration for her latest book.

Sending you good wishes and hope

Wiebke



What is Binge Eating Disorder?
What to know about causes and treatment

What is binge eating disorder

From The New York Times

An excellent in-depth article about the often-overlooked binge eating disorder. (The New York Times is paywalled but it allows for 10 free articles.)

Read the article




Arfid: genetics a major factor in this little-known eating disorder

Arfid and genetics

By Lisa Dinkler, Postdoctoral Researcher in Psychiatric Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet

From The Conversation

The first twin study ever conducted of avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, or Arfid for short, has revealed that genetic factors play a major role in its development. Exciting news for the estimated 1 – 5 percent of the world’s population suffering from the condition that is an extreme form of restrictive eating.

Read the article




Supporting Siblings: Insights and Strategies

Supporting Siblings

From F.E.A.S.T.

F.E.A.S.T. Executive Director Judy Krasna and F.E.A.S.T. Advisor Judith Banker led a webinar discussion about insights and strategies that can help siblings (and parents) of people with eating disorders.

Read some excerpts




The portrait of the novelist as a young athlete

Josie Shapiro

By Josie Shapiro

From Newsroom

Josie Shapiro talks about her new novel Everything is Beautiful and Everything Hurts. She writes “that raging shame of my own lifetime of body dysmorphia and disordered eating fuels the emotional truth of my novel”.

Read more

 




EDANZ Support Group Meetings

Upcoming support group meetings

EDANZ believes parents/carers have unique abilities to support one another and we hold regular meetings to which you are warmly invited. Currently, we're joining together around the country once a month thanks to Zoom videoconferencing technology. 

If you would like to participate in a virtual support group, please RSVP to info@ed.org.nz and we'll send you the link.

We alternate monthly between evening and daytime meetings.

Upcoming 2023 meetings:

    June 16, 12-1pm

    July 17, 7-8pm

    August 18, 12-1pm

More information can be found on our website Parent/Carer Support Groups page

Remember: EDANZ helpline is open throughout the year – please don’t hesitate to contact us info@ed.org.nz or leave a message on the phone 0800 2 EDANZ and we will get back to you as soon as we can. If you are concerned about the safety of someone, please ring 111 or go to the Emergency Department of your nearest hospital.




Did you know, we receive no regular funding?

Many families have told us they consider our support to be essential and life-saving. However, we are a volunteer organisation and rely totally on donations and grants to provide our services – many of which are currently self-funded. 

Demand for our services has reached unprecedented levels, but sadly donations are down as the pandemic has hit Kiwis hard over the past two years.

If you can, please consider donating to EDANZ

Your donation will enable us to continue our work providing support to families, education to healthcare providers and the community, and advocating for improved access to evidence-based treatment for all affected New Zealanders. 

Make a Donation