Atypical Anorexia Nervosa Therapist Question and Answer Session

Today, I have a guest on the show and I'm talking to Jaimie O' Connor. Jaimie is a Policy PhD student looking at how weight-loss groups (such as Slimming World and Weight Watchers) are regulated, whether that regulation is being adhered to, at least, well enough to prevent harm. Over three years, she's interviewed ex customers and ex workers, along with people who work for the overseeing regulatory bodies to gather this information in a scoping review. In this episode today, Jaimie talks about: - How the slimming group business model is designed for weight loss failure, with all responsibility on the individual, so ensuring a life long bondage to the groups. How the eating disorder safeguard in the enrolment process is simply a tick box exercise. The problem of food morality in these groups. How it amplifies diet culture messages and doesn't serve people. The horror of slimming group testimonials drenched in diet culture, weight stigma and fat phobia. How slimming groups have repositioned themselves around GLP-1s whilst keeping their members locked in. And finally - what about regulation of these groups? Is it working? What is anyone doing about it? I hope that you find it helpful. You can find Jaimie at 'This Is Why You're Hungry' on Substack https://substack.com/@jaimoraiand Tiktok, where she posts all of the opinionated angry commentary that she's not academically allowed to put into her thesis!

In this episode I talk about how to have a happy Halloween in eating disorder recovery. Time slots: 1. Be intentional 0.43 2. No restriction 2.33 3. Regular eating 3.01 4. 100% permission to eat 4.17 5. Managing thoughts 5.47 6. Self-care practices 7.24 7. Be proud of your wins 8.40 I hope that you find it helpful.

In this episode I talk about 7 emotional triggers for binge eating. Time slots: 1. Boredom 2.22 2. I've blown it thinking 3.58 3. Overbusyness 5.58 4. Empathy without limits 7.47 5. Saying yes, when you need to say no 9.18 6. Feeling guilty 11.06 7. Body image triggers 12.28 I hope that you find it helpful.

In this episode I talk about how the 10 principles of Intuitive Eating can help in eating disorder recovery. Time slots: 1. Reject the diet mentality 1.20 2. Honour your hunger 2.02 3. Make peace with food 3.28 4. Challenge the food police 4.23 5. Discover the satisfaction factor 5.03 6. Feel your fullness 5.54 7. Cope with emotions with kindness 6.41 8. Respect your body 8.00 9. Move to feel the difference 8.55 10. Honour your health with gentle nutrition 9.43 I hope that you find it helpful. How have you got on with Intuitive Eating in recovery? Do let me know in the comments.

In this episode I talk about 8 psychological facts about anorexia nervosa, not often talked about outside the therapy room. Time slots: 1. Externally validated self 0.35 2. Sensitivity and neurodivergence 1.48 3. Simplifies life 2.59 4. The Mount Everest achievers 3.52 5. The grief of losing it 5.07 6. Communication to others 6.11 7. Never sick enough 7.21 8. Ambivalence around change 7.58 9. Healing 8.56 to the end. I hope that you find it helpful.