Month: July 2008

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Photography

A few months ago I watched the Oscar winning movie called Born Into Brothels and I’ve been meaning to write about it ever since. Its a documentary on a photographer from NYC, Zana Briski, who goes to Calcutta to photograph the red light district, when she discovers that the children of the prostitutes are interested in learning how to photograph pictures. She sets up a photography workshop for a number of these children, gives them cameras, and in turn these children photograph their everyday lives.

I wont get into much more detail so that I don’t spoil the movie for anyone who hasn’t seen it…but the line between being a photographer/teacher begins to blur for the NYC photographer, and the film began bringing up similar feelings for me as working within a therapeutic/social-work context. That is to say, the photographer seemed to learn from her experience that although we may want to save others from a life that we may view as tragic or that we would not want for ourselves, we must recognize this wish and our limitations where we can do no more than offer support and opportunity (to learn, to explore, to grow). I also have to give Zana credit for going above and beyond what many would have done or thought they were capable of doing for these children. At the very least, the children discovered a part of themselves that allowed them to be creative, explore themselves and their environment, as well as become empowered through the use of creative expression.

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Mike

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. 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, 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.

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Eating Disorders

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.