A & E's Intervention: Episode 74, Nicole

http://www.aetv.com/intervention/video/






Sin's Review:

I don't usually watch these 'Reality Shows' because they bore me, or they make me ill. But this one? MY GAWD, it was like watching a train wreck - I couldn't look away.
If you EVER think you have a messed up life, watch Episode 74 and Nicole's Intervention.

1. Nicole was molested as a teenager, by her best-friend's father, this went on for quite some time.

2. Nicole's friend, alerted her parents because though they detected a change in her behavior as a teen - they did not know the reason it was occurring.

3. Once they knew, they chose to seek counseling for Nicole and cut ties with the family. They did not call the police.

4. The counselor was obligated to alert the police and a trial ensued.

5. The molester, was let off with 'probation' - served no time. To this day, he lives in Nicole's neighborhood.

6. Nicole was forced to give this man oral sex, this is what birthed her swallowing phobia. There is nothing medically wrong with Nicole, she developed a psychological condition, which puts her in a state of panic (fear of choking). She can not (or rather will not) swallow solids or liquids.

7. At age 17, her weight dropped to 63lbs, and the solution to this problem was to insert a feeding tube directly into her stomach. It was supposed to be temporary. Nicole still uses the feeding tube (nearly 20 years later).

8. Aside this disorder, she also has anxiety, depression, and drug addiction (prescription drugs).

9. Nicole marries Bob, who believed she was the 'one' and they have two children. Both of which are born with low birth weights and have to be in the ICU because they can not receive the proper nourishment required to develop at a normal birth weight. This is attributed to Nicole's lack of proper feeding ability.

10. Nicole will 'chew' food, but spits it in a cup. She leaves these cups all around the house, and her husband and children are disgusted by it.

11. She stays in bed, she neglects her children. Her family *knows* this about Nicole, but have not stepped in to take the children. The children are suffering from psychological trauma of their own from having been neglected and having to witness this illness, not truly understanding what is wrong with their mother.

12. Bob gets frustrated and leaves her. He does take the children for a short while, but Nicole gets so bad she loses her job and is evicted from her apartment. So Bob has no choice but to take her back. 2 Weeks later, it's back to the same routine.

13. Nicole's parents are at their wits end, her Father is so disgusted with the whole thing he doesn't even know if he loves his own daughter anymore. Her mother feels helpless.

14. Nicole's Sister keeps her distance, because of Nicole's behavior and especially the feeding tube issue. She (as well as other family members) believe she will feed in public to gain sympathy. Nicole's mother feels as though she thrived on the attention she received about the abuse, that when she didn't get that anymore the 'illness' was what Nicole escalated to gain that attention.

15. She makes it a point to drive by the molesters house, on a regular basis.

Watch the videos. Tell me this girl isn't fucked in the head. At the close of the program, Nicole agrees to go to a treatment center in AZ for 3 months. To claim her life, and become a better mother to her children. The credits roll, which state that Nicole is home after 2 months of treatment, she has learned to swallow baby food and maintains the feeding tube.

During the show, there were countless mentions of Nicole refusing to complete therapy or treatment. She would walk away from the program before making any true progress, which is why this has gone on for nearly 20 years to begin with.

Based on my observations, I'd say this really isn't a matter of not wanting to face her demons, but the fact that she has conditioned herself to this behavior. Nearly 20 years is a long time to be behaving in such a way. The treatment center diagnoses her with 'Post Traumatic Stress Disorder'. But Nicole has become a great liar. She cons the medical profession all the time to give her drugs. I don't feel confident in that diagnosis. She needs behavior modification, as well as therapy for self image.

I wonder what the follow-up will show? I place my bets on Nicole doing exactly what she always had been. Not finishing her therapy, hooked on meds, pumping goo into her stomach and neglecting her family.

The family fears that she'll die. It may be the best thing that could happen to them.

What a waste.