Help Alyssa get Eating Disorder Treatment

My daughter, Alyssa, has been struggling with emetophobia (the fear of vomiting) for many years. Two years ago, it led to the development of an eating disorder called avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) which caused her to be dangerously underweight. As a result, she was hospitalized for several weeks. She has had ups and downs over the last two years, ending up in the hospital two more times. We are looking for help to get her the treatment she needs to cure her emetophobia and prevent any more hospitalizations.

Here is her story in her own words:

 

"Hello, if you know me then you know I've struggled with a phobia and eating disorder caused by that phobia. If not, then let me introduce you to my struggles. I have been to eating disorder treatment three times over the last two years, having been critically ill two of those times and requiring hospitalization for several weeks. I am struggling again now, and I need to address the root of the issue: my phobia called emetophobia.

 

Endless searching reveals no options here in Montana. My counselor and I agree that I need inpatient or intensive outpatient treatment for anxiety/ocd. I found a treatment center in Boston at Boston University’s Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders (https://www.bu.edu/card/get-help/adult-treatment-at-card/ ) that can treat me and has someone who specializes in and has worked with my disorders. The cost of just the treatment is $3,900 plus I would need to pay for food, lodging, rides, and travel expenses while I’m there.

 

I am to the point that I feel out of options and hopeless, my quality of life is very poor. I can hardly function. I have several panic attacks each day, which feed my depression. I struggle keeping a job or getting to work because the anxiety is so severe. I struggle just to eat or go to the store every day. Every meal is a fight. I'm emotionally exhausted.

 

I did my best trying to find help here in Montana that is affordable but there are just not any resources here and there aren’t any treatment centers out of state that accept my insurance. I do not want to, but I need to ask for financial assistance for this treatment that could greatly improve my quality of life and possibly even save it (as eating disorders go on, the outlook gets worse and worse, and you could die at any time when weight is too low).

 

I can offer small prizes for donations such as prints of my photography or baked goods, etc... I thank you for taking the time to read this and even if you can't give, please pray and share this to reach more people. I am happy to send any information about the program, my disorders, or anything to people who are interested."