Judy Krasna: Unpacking the Challenges of Eating Disorders in Families

Today we're diving deep into a topic that hits close to home for many of us: eating. But hold up, because we're not just talking about grabbing a snack here. We're delving into what happens when food becomes a battleground, a weapon even, especially when it's your child who's caught in the crossfire.

Our guest, Judy Krasna, opens up about her daughter, Garbiela's journey. From a vibrant, happy teenager to someone tormented by the mere thought of eating, Judy shares the raw truth of navigating through her daughter's eating disorder. It's a journey filled with pain, heartache, and relentless determination to turn that pain into purpose.

But Judy doesn't stop there. She shines a light on the ripple effects within the family, the misunderstandings even within the medical community, and the desperate need for better understanding and support. Judy now serves as the Executive Director of a global virtual support group,FEAST, providing solace and solidarity to parents and loved ones facing similar struggles.

Join us as Judy reminds us of the power of community, of finding strength in solidarity, and of the relentless love that fuels the journey towards healing our loved ones. It's a conversation you won't want to miss.

BIO:
Judy Krasna is the Executive Director of F.E.A.S.T. (Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment for Eating Disorders). She is a writer and an eating disorder advocate both in Israel, where she lives, and globally. Judy is an active “expert by experience” volunteer in the Academy for Eating Disorders and has been working for over a decade to improve eating disorder treatment and to bridge the research-practice gap. 

After volunteering for F.E.A.S.T. in multiple capacities, Judy became the organization’s Executive Director in February 2021.

Judy is deeply committed to helping and supporting families of people with eating disorders and to promoting awareness about suicidality in eating disorders, especially after her daughter Gavriella took her own life in 2020 after a prolonged battle with anorexia nervosa. She is also passionate about working with providers to ensure that parents receive the psychoeducation, skills, and tools that they need to support their loved one’s eating disorder recovery. 

RESOURCES/ REFERENCES:

FEAST Website

Judy can be reached at judy@feast-ed.org

Brave Girl Eating by Harriet Brown

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their specific situations.