Abuse

The staff of Rader Programs was the first to document the significant occurrence of both sexual and physical abuse among eating disordered individuals. We have found that over 80 percent of our clients have had some type of abusive experience. The development of an eating disorder, in some instances, can almost be viewed as a survival mechanism to attempt to shield the individual from further harm. For Compulsive Overeaters, they may unconsciously make themselves larger to separate and protect themselves from others. Anorexics may unconsciously make themselves smaller, losing their secondary sexual characteristics (breasts, hips, and buttocks) to avoid a sexual identity, almost achieving a prepubescent state. Some survivors of abuse even act out sexually to unconsciously conquer their abusive experience. For victims of abuse, the obsessions and compulsions about weight and body image may be an attempt to regain control of their bodies. This unconscious drive to achieve a "perfect " body may be a response to the feeling of having their control stripped from them through the abuse experience.

Both survivors of abuse and individuals with eating disorders often exhibit discomfort and dissatisfaction with the parts of their body usually associated with body shape change or increased "fatness" at puberty, i.e., hips, thighs, buttocks and breasts. Survivors of abuse may be dissatisfied with these aspects of their bodies because they represent sexuality. They often express a desire to return to the prepubescent stage which occurred before the painful confusion of sexuality. Feelings of distrust, inadequacy, insecurity, disconnection, and worthlessness are common.

Rader Programs addresses the effects of the abuse in a supportive and empathic environment. Rader Programs is one of the only eating disorder programs to have individual counseling, group counseling, and educational sessions that address abuse and how the abuse relates to the eating disorder. Survivors of abuse are allowed to address the abuse and its consequences at their own pace and in the context that will be most helpful. Confidentiality and respect for each individual's dignity are hallmarks of our program.