Someday, sometime, somewhere; parents need to talk to their teens: Silent killers

12/21/89 - 5/9/09  - Dates a parent never wants to have to engrave in their lives.  However Judy Arvin, who gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Melissa, on December 21st, 1989, also lost her on May 9, 2009 to bulimia, has taken a extremely sad and sensitive subject and exposed her raw pain through an upcoming documentary. 

This documentary is paving the way to bring awareness to eating disorders and teens.  Someday Melissa is about a mother's story of losing her daughter to an eating disorder.  This disease is a silent killer that some parents are blinded to.  Body image is a major concern for teens. 

Melissa Arvin was only 19 years-old when she lost her life to bulimia.  Her mother, Judy Arvin, made a painful yet courageous decision to make a documentary of Melissa's life.  Having to relive the life of a beautiful young girl through their death is an unselfish act.  Judy Arvin is hoping that her story - Melissa's story, will help others with this silent killer. Melissa struggled for five years with this ugly disease.

In August  2008 Melissa made a journal entry, "I want to make a movie that will change lives."  Judy Arvin is pulling all her strength through her grieving process to make this happen.

Bulimia  is an eating disorder that related is to self-image - and not just about food - bulimia nervosa can be difficult to overcome. 

Bulimia symptoms may include:

• Feeling that you can't control your eating behavior
• Eating until the point of discomfort or pain
• Eating much more food in a binge episode than in a normal meal or Snack
• Forcing yourself to vomit after eating
• Exercising excessively
• Misuse of laxatives, diuretics or enemas
• Being preoccupied with your body shape and weight
• Having a distorted, excessively negative body image
• Going to the bathroom after eating or during meals
• Abnormal bowel functioning
• Damaged teeth and gums
• Swollen salivary glands in the cheeks
• Sores in the throat and mouth
• Dehydration
• Irregular heartbeat
• Sores, scars or calluses on the knuckles or hands
• Menstrual irregularities or loss of menstruation (amenorrhea)
• Depression
• Anxiety

Education is key to prevention, however communication is critical.  Knowing your teens feelings, their actions, their pain and what makes them happy may seem like an easy task, however teens are very good at masking issues for their parents.  It is a parent's job to be persistent yet loving.  Determined yet gentle.  Being an educated parent can help you help your teenager. Talk to your teens! You may be saving a life. Make the time today.

In South Florida, The Renfrew Center is well know locally and nationally for their expertise in eating disorders.

Sources: Mayo Clinic, NY Times, Someday Melissa, National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)

Watch video from Today Show with Judy Arvin below.