Exploring Eating Disorders

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By Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, Special for USDR

Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center is hosting a free one-night-only screening of the compelling drama by filmmaker Marlee Roberts titled “Little Miss Perfect,” 6:45 p.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at the Studio Movie Grill, 2880 Holcombe Bridge Road, in Alpharetta, Ga.

The award-winning feature film chronicles the life of Belle, a 14-year-old overly-ambitious straight-A freshman. As class president, Belle seems to have it all together, but as her family troubles and daily social academic pressures grow, she seeks a way to control her chaotic world. In the film, Belle is triggered by a blog promoting anorexia and other eating disorders and she drops down to an unhealthy weight. Belle utilizes weight measurement as a means to regain a sense of self control.

“Little Miss Perfect tells the story of a girl who struggles to control her life by controlling her weight. This need for ‘control,’ much like our protagonist Belle, had led me to research the psychological and behavioral effects of those who cope with a loss of control, particularly in anorexia,” said Roberts. “I wanted to explore the disparity between our physical and psychological selves and question what that says about us as individuals and as a society. Are we projecting how we feel about ourselves internally so that it reflects how we view ourselves externally? Does our perception of how we look change with how we feel?”

Little Miss Perfect began first as an adaptation of the traditional French fairy tale ‘La Belle et la Bete,’ popularly known in English as “Beauty and the Beast.“ The adaptation borrowed Belle’s studious perfectionist nature and combined it with the Beast’s shame and temper. Similar to that of the original story, Belle was given a father who sets off on a work venture, a mother who is out of the picture and a confident bordering-on-arrogant suitor.

However, as work was done on the screenplay, it transformed into its own story and the themes from the classic fairy tale have become only symbols paying homage to the original tale. While not completely autobiographical, Roberts wrote the character of Belle from personal experience in high school struggling with similar themes many young girls are facing: social exclusion, academic pressure, body image, and family disconnection.

The event, open to the public, will offer complimentary hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, as well as a panel discussion of experts post screening. Kirsten Haglund, Miss America 2008, national eating disorders awareness advocate and community relations specialist for Timberline Knolls, will emcee the event.

The panel will include: Marlee Roberts; Margaret Nagib, PsyD, a clinical psychologist with Timberline Knolls; and Diane Hilleary, LCSW, CEDS, President, International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp), Atlanta Chapter.

Registration is required to attend the event. Those interested can register at the following:
http://www.timberlineknolls.com/event-registration/?ee=11

About Timberline Knolls:

Timberline Knolls is a leading private residential treatment center for women and adolescent girls (ages 12 – 65+) with eating disorders, substance abuse, trauma, mood and co-occurring disorders. Located in suburban Chicago, residents receive excellent clinical care from a highly trained professional staff on a picturesque 43-acre wooded campus. Women and families seeking Christian treatment can opt for specialized Christian-based therapy. For more information on Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, call us at 877.257.9611. We are also on Facebook – Timberline Knolls, LinkedIn – Timberline Knolls and Twitter – @TimberlineToday.

SOURCE Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center