Topic : 08/25 Extreme Food Obsessions

Hi Nichelle, I watched today's show and I was not thrilled with your behavior.  But, I wanted to let you know that I have not walked in your shoes by having a child with disabilities.  But, I did raise 3 sons as a single mom and I know how difficult life can be at times.  Please hang in there and get all the help Dr. Phil has to offer and love that little girl with all your heart.  She needs you!  My youngest son was killed in a car accident last year (he was 18) and was only a few weeks away from starting college.  My heart is broken and I just wanted to tell you that life is short and you never know when your children will be taken away from you.  My son and I had a wonderful relationship and I have no regrets about the way I treated him or raised him.  I just don't want you to ever lose one of your children and then look back and regret that you didn't do more to love and care for them every minute of the day.  What I would give to have my son back!!!  Even though this message board is difficult for you, hopefully, you can get the help you and your daughter need to move forward.  And, yes, there are people on here who are mean and I think we should give more support and help to those in need rather than more criticism.  You and your family are in my prayers!    

Dear Dr. Phil, 

I'm a mom of a handicapped child, and he is also mentally challenged and I can't believe that the mom would abuse her child like that. I would never do that to my typical child... Sometimes before we want change for our children we need to look in the mirror.  Maybe the mom should stop buying all the sweets... Believe me I know first hand it is hard but there is NO EXCUSE for that... 

    Hi , my name is Melissa and I have known Nichelle for over nine years. We have been through so much together that when she told me she was going to appear on the show I supported her when others criticized and ostracized her . I was there when she met Savannah's dad. I was there when she went on her first date. I was there when she foud out she was pregnant. She was in my wedding and helped me in the worst of times. Nichelle , the person you saw on Dr. Phil today knows she needs help. The Nichelle I know has an extremely hard time admitting it and I applauded her for getting the help (which let me inform you she is). 

    I have almost 5 children . One has autism with developemental delay and Verbal delay due to the hospital he was being born at screwing up in the labor process. I know what she deals with. Her and I handle things differently of course all people do, but, noone on this board has lived with her for a time, known her for as long as me and has seen the things she does exceptionally well.i lived with her and Savannah for a time about 4 years ago.Nichelle was doing it on her own and doing well.What you saw is the worst of it. Noone saw how she freaked when Savannah fell and hit her head and I had to go get to to rush to the ER. (She was with her Grandma when it happened before you think ill and she tripped.) Nichelle freaked all the way to the hospital, almost passed out when she had to see her daughter get stitched up and cried and cried that she should have been there. Though she was working at the time and couldn't have been. 

    You haven't seen the Nichelle who holds her daughters head high by telling her how beautiful she is. She tells her her smile is the best and encourages her in many ways, brags about how well Savannah does in school and rarely ever  freaks out. I agree she takes it to a point sometimes, but how can anyone judge when she is going for help and is in fear of losing her daughter now that family members who have never been there, have turned their backs. Can you imagine being in her shoes?  

  My developementally delayed son is my bright light. He has taught my whole family things we didn't know were possible, he is such a gift that when I think of it I cry. I almost lost him at birth and know how hard it is to know you can't change things, only try to help. Do I get frustarted? Yes. DO I get sad? yes. Do I cry ? yes. Would I take him back ? Never , never , never !  

    Be proud of Nichelle for somethings. She never has had government help.Her and I have this in common. SHe doesn't blame anyone for what happened to her Savannah but tries to help her. Even if she has a few issues, we all do. The people who love her and love her girls will stand by her and try to help her. We will do what we can for her. I know what you saw looked so bad but remember you didn't see the Nichelle some of us know so well.....  

Dr. Phil:  I was appalled at the mother who abused her daughter with Prader Willie.  While I was operating my own child care, I had the privilege of caring for a child with Prader Willie.  It was a learning experience for me and I was fortunate to have parents who were willing to educate me on their son's behavior.  The parents shared their own expectations of their son and also of me.  They provided me with information that I could read prior to having their son begin his child care experience with me. 

What I learned from the information and from the parents is that Prader Willie children can be conditioned to  control their eating patterns.  The little boy I had never raided my refrigerator, nor did I have to worry about him sneaking food behind my back.  I always gave him small portions to allow him the freedom of asking for a second helping (a technique his parents shared with me).  The love that these parents have for their son and daughter (who does not have Prader Willie) is unquestionable. 

This mother obviously does not have a true understanding of what her daughter's syndrone really is.  She seems to be in denial and suffering from a form of grief.  A grief of not having a "normal" child.  She has not accepted her daughter's disability or her own feelings.  Shame on her for abusing her daugher.   

The mother's expectations are unreasonable and from watching the show seems to be in a fog.  Help her Dr. Phil so that she can be a loving and affective mother for her daughter who deserves to be treated with respect and love. 

My goodness, how sad and tough that is. If she does not get help for Savannah, Savannah could become obese in a short period of time. Put  a lock on the pantry to where she cannot get into food. 

She is not eating because she is hungry, she is eating because she could be bored, or just the fact to make herself feel better on the inside. Throwing the tantrums must stop immediately! 

I want to say how great Kathy looks. You did the right thing by getting help and following through and not giving up eithe. Keep working on it. Strive for the best. 

I am sitting here watching the story about the woman with anorexia getting more and more annoyed. I know the woman on TV today acknowledged that she needed help and kudos to her for admitting it and trying to get better. I just wonder how putting her story on TV hurts others with the problem...they may think "she lived that was for 16 years so what is the problem?".   

My Aunt is 50 years old and has been somehow living with anorexia for over 30 years...she has so many physical problems yet she thinks that the rest of the world is at fault not her. She eats nothing with any nutritional value...she is the most selfish person I have ever met. My mother and my grandmother (before she died) tried to get her into treatment. Her Doctor is an enabler...he has helped her stay this way. He has not even diagnosed her because she doesn't want to hear it...she won't go to any other doctor because they all call her on her eating disorder.  I think her doctor should be sued for malpractice or maybe arrested for assisted suicide after she dies. My other Aunt bends over backwards to try to help her and she just uses her...it is pathetic. The anorexic one will allow the other to do so much for her that she becomes physically ill and does not take care of herself because she is so focused on the anorexic one.  I have suggested that they commit her...have talked to my therapist about whether or not that could be done...but my grandfather (the only one who could do it) doesn't think she has a problem. He even brags that she is eating better then ever and gaining weight...complete denial! She acts like she is some super great Christian but as far as I am concerned she is a horrible Christian...last time I checked suicide was not among the Christian teachings. She manipulates our family and has contributed to the demise of the family unit that I used to love being a part of.  She has ruined everything...God forbid anyone upset her!  I can't even stand the thought of family gatherings with that side of the family and I used to love them.  

I am glad that Kathy got help...but she has been every bit as selfish as my aunt. I hope she realizes the hurt she has caused her family and now will work extra hard to show them appreciation and love. It is so hard to be a family member of someone with this problem...it poisons every part of the relationship and the family! 

Dr.Phil 

My name is Bill and I must confess, it is my wife who thought you where a great person, and watch your show as often as possible. I was the one to think you are only out to please the network ratings. This still may be true about the ratings, but it doesn't matter. After watching the show today  and seeing you save the life of a person that only had 10% of a chance to live, because of an eating disorder, I truly thank you for your golden heart. 

Things work in mysteries ways and today I have seen the mysteries ways work for a lady on TV that I don't know but had tears for after seeing what GOLDEN Dr.Phil did. 

Thanks for your contribution to the human race, 

Truly yours, 

Bill Trelford. 

(and I thought I had a problem,Bad Breath,)