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 post from 2018 explores why we often take responsibility for other people’s feelings, and the subsequent impact on us and our eating behaviour.
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You’re about to send an email and you’re re-reading it for the tenth time to make absolutely sure there’s nothing in it that could be misconstrued and cause offence. Then you check it another ten times after you’ve sent it – just in case…
You bump into a friend in the street. As you walk away, you replay the conversation over and over in your head trying to work out if you said anything “wrong”. You’re still rerunning the conversation in your head as you lie in bed that night…
A work colleague seems a bit off with you. You instantly rack your brain to recall your most recent interactions with them. You spend the day desperately trying to work out what you did to upset them so you can apologise and make things right…
Sound familiar?
Continue reading “Summer Rewind: Why Do We Feel Responsible for Other People’s Feelings?”
Here’s another post from the archives, this time exploring how it’s possible to find the same autonomy with movement, as it is with food. Hard to believe, I know, but true.
“I’m just one of those people who hates exercise”.
That’s what I used to say. And I believed it.
Man, did I hate exercise.
I felt angry (and guilty and ashamed) at the mention of the word and I’m worried you may stop reading for the very same reason, but I hope not.
Continue reading “Summer Rewind: What’s The Big Deal About Exercise?”
Julie de Rohan 