Topic : 08/25 Extreme Food Obsessions

Dr Phil,  

             I watched the show about the mother with the Prader-Willie child and yes I found her behavior as frightening as you and the others watching,  I do think that a major issue was not mentioned and needs to be addressed by you and the other health care professionals who see this kind of behavior.  

       I am the mother of a 20 year old son who has autism, mental retardation, aggressive behavior and he keeps growing and growing.  As a the mother of 3 year old Chad I remember the feeling of fear and dread when I saw adults who had similar diagnoses. You feel overwhelmed, angry at the world and at God at times for putting you in this position with this strange child.  You long for normalcy and think of life in  "what if" terms.  Life seems very lonely most of the time.  These early years are so hard for parents and dealing with their own emotional issues  as well as the physical and mental disability of a child . 

         I watched this mother today,  she was so lost and became so frighted when she saw an adult with the same disorder.. although I  do not  agree with her actions with her daughter I did want to reach out and hug her.  She has a long road to travel down and it will not be an easy one.   Most people she meets along the way will not understand what it takes to get through a single day,  every one is quick to either criticize or over praise every single action.     

        The last 20 years of my life have been both terrifying and joyous. Chad is the purest soul I know and  has been my greatest teacher.  Although my life will never be normal in the most common terms...  who wants normal??  I prefer interesting.. its been a lesson learned.  

Chandra 

In response to the people who have posted who are implying that children with PWS are "spoiled" or  "why can' t they just feed them healthy foods" -- this is a real illness that is caused by a deletion on the 15th chromosome.  The area of the brain called the hypothalamus does not work properly and in addition to affecting hunger it also controls growth hormone, metabolism, temperature regulation and behavior. etc.  It's not a matter of just feeding healthy foods -- imagine ALWAYS feeling hungry no matter what you eat and then having your daily caloric intake reduced to accomadate your slow metabolism -- many with this syndrome are on 800 calories a day and still gain weight. This child is not being a brat -- she is responding the only way her little body knows how to respond in an environment where food is not controlled and she is not receiving the support she REQUIRES.  Children and adults DIE as a result of this syndrome. Nichelle I urge you to get the help you need to care for Savannah --her life depends on it!! There's a wonderful network of Moms (and some Dads and Grandparents too) who are going through exactly what you are going through and have found ways to not only deal with this but to make life enjoyable!!  

Amy  

Sorry,  there is nothing that alleviates the symptoms of PWS. Dairy products have nothing to do with it......a cold bottle of water will NOT make her feel full -- you do not understand that NOTHING will make her feel full. They will eat until their stomach expands so much that part of it dies off. You NEVER reward a child with PWS with food! You could feed them an entire bag of "potatoe cubes" and a gallon of Koolaid (which by the way is something a child w/ PWS should not have) and they would not feel full. I'm horrified that you are attempting to give advice to someone when you obviously know nothing about this syndrome. Veggies and sandwich halves 12 times a day would turn a child with this syndrome into a very obese child!!  

I think board and care home situation might be an alternative that should be looked into for this little girl.  Even short term to try out whether a more structure environment brings out better control of her behavior.  This would also give mom time center herself so she feels good about being a mom again.  This is not like a foster home where social workers are in charge Mom would be able to say how much time she spend and how she wants to spend that time.  She would still retain full custody but get some much needed help.   

There are some great board and care homes that provide ridged structure and if chosen correctly I think this little girl would thrive. 

Kathy and Doctor Phil. Kathy I think that you are doing well at the ranch and Doctor Phil I think that some people do have eating disorder aswell. I donot have a eating disdorder aswell. Well see y- 

ou tomorrow. Friend your Russell

I think the reason is not to hurt...but to show those with eating disorders and their families, that if Kathy, being as far into the disease as she was, could go into recovery there is hope for many.  She was in a far place...this is not to diminish yours or anyone else's ED.  But, if Kathy can beat it....where she was, than so can You!  That is the point..... Not to show you shocking pictures or to stir emotions but I am sure Dr. Phil in his "real" ways, wanted to show that it is possible for YOU to beat this....!  It is about healing and hoping....and I truly believe that is what his message was about today. I am sure Kathy will be an inspiration to many…. If she can make it, being this extreme, then there is hope for a lot of people out there with Eating Disorders that didn’t think they had a chance.