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International Interview Series: Dr. Jeremy Alford of Indonesia & the Middle East
- What inspired you to become involved in eating disorders throughout Indonesia and the Middle East?
When I left the UK for Lebanon in 2003, I knew that resources in mental health were under developed. My immediate intention was to bring a more innovative and evidence based therapy approach to the country. After setting up my private practice, I quickly noticed that people had one of 2 main treatment pathways: either medication or traditional forms of psychoanalysis or CBT. It was quickly apparent that a more integrative and holistic therapeutic treatment model was lacking.
As my practice grew, not only in Lebanon but in the Middle East region, I noticed that there were many people suffering from eating disorders, mainly binge eating and bulimia, and that the number of people with overweight issues and obesity were amongst the highest in the world. Many of whom were seeking help but without actually knowing that what they were struggling with. It was clear that levels of awareness and understanding were poor and the fact that there were no actual eating disorder experts, nor was there any specialized eating disorders residential center, my social sense of responsibility led me to found a non-profit organization dedicated to EDs called MEEDA in 2009. It has been growing slowly since then and the focus is on the Middle East.
When I moved to Bali in Indonesia at the end of 2014 to continue my practice by offering clinical retreat programs to people with ED and other comorbidities, my role at MEEDA did not change and I continue working closely by distance with the rest of the MEEDA team located in the Middle East. MEEDA is focused and active in the Middle East only, not Indonesia although I am based there. However, whenever I get approached by ED sufferers in Indonesia I provide the same guidance and support.
- What keeps you in this work, day after day?
I guess the answer to this question is that it feels to me like a social sense of responsibility or a life mission to help make a difference to these people suffering what is the deadliest of all mental health conditions.
- What type of support does MEEDA provide the eating disorder sufferer?
MEEDA provides free individual support over our online helpline, which can be found on our website, with one of our ED experts. We are also in the process of providing group support. Our long term goal is to hopefully one day be able to offer more comprehensive levels of care.
Today, the MEEDA team are all volunteers giving of their time for the cause. It is through donations and fundraising activities that we will be able to do more, reach out further and help make a difference in the field of EDs in the Middle Eastern community.
- What encouragement do you have for an eating disorder sufferer?
EDs do not have to be a life sentence. Recovery is possible with the right evidence based advice and support. Never give up.
For more information on the state of eating disorders in Indonesia, check out our page on resources available throughout Southeast Asia.
Contributor: Jeremy holds a BA, MPhil and PhD in clinical psychology from the University College London College Kensington. He is a graduate member of the British Psychological Society. He is also a qualified clinical hypnotherapist and neurofeedback therapist. Adopts a multimodal cognitive behavioral approach as well as mindfulness techniques. He has over 17 years of multicultural mental health experience and a proven adaptability to international settings, having worked in several countries in the Middle East, Europe and currently Bali in Indonesia providing individualized solo or group clinical retreat programs called Choices Retreats. He is also founder and president of MEEDA.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on August 14, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com
