Those of us with binge eating issues spend an awful lot of time in our heads – even someone like me who recovered years ago.
The combination of our inherent nature and our experiences means we’re inclined to rumination.
We’re also often disconnected from our bodies.
Abuse, trauma, body shaming – they all leave us afraid to inhabit our bodies. We struggle to find a sense of safety within. For respite, we detach and seek comfort in food.
Trigger warning: description of binge eating.
A few nights ago, I went out for dinner for the first time since lockdown lifted here in the UK.
After months of being stuck at home, I sat in the restaurant with a big grin on my face, soaking up the atmosphere.
I was quite hungry but, as usual, took my time exploring the menu. Like a buzzard circling its prey, I was on the lookout for the dish that would truly satisfy me.
Continue reading “How Calorie Labelling Impacts People with Binge Eating Disorder”
When you hear the term ‘eating disorder’, what comes to mind?
Is it anorexia?
Or maybe bulimia?
It’s not surprising.
When someone asks me what I do and I explain I’m a psychotherapist who works with clients with eating disorders, they usually tell me about someone they know who’s experienced anorexia.
While it’s a really good thing that awareness around anorexia and bulimia has increased significantly over the years, there’s yet to be the same level of awareness about binge eating disorder or OSFED.
In case you don’t know, OSFED stands for “other specified feeding or eating disorder”.
Continue reading “What’s Missing from the Conversation about Eating Disorders?”
I was recently asked to contribute to an article on the mental health impact of weight loss advertising for Metro.
You can read the article here, but I also wanted to share with you the questions I was asked and the answers I gave.
This is the time of year when most New Year diets have failed.
Yes, The Eating Silly Season is coming to a close. To be fair, Eating Silly Season is now all year long, but in January it’s especially silly as Diet Culture stages its annual Grand Parade of Bullshit and Misinformation.
Look – there’s that “celebrity doctor” shamelessly promoting disordered eating on social media in the name of “science”. There’s that “diet guru” on TV forcing people who are Not Thin to lose weight rapidly with zero regard for their psychological wellbeing.
Then there’s you.
How are you doing with all of this?
The Guardian recently reported the UK Government is planning to launch an “emergency drive” to reduce obesity rates in anticipation of a second Covid-19 wave later this year.
There’s concern Coronavirus disproportionately affects overweight and obese people. According to the article, the Government programme will be “based on encouraging people to reduce their calorific intake and lose weight rapidly”.
If accurate, the UK Government is acting on a dangerously incorrect assumption – that obesity is purely a physiological, rather than a psychological, issue.
It’s a mistake that’s made often.
Continue reading “Why the UK Government is Getting it Wrong on Obesity”
Julie de Rohan 