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Re: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

I don't know either.

Re: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

What has been your journey with eating disorders and seeking help?

My journey with eating disorders began when I was in my late teens (around 16ish), although it wasn’t picked up until I was in my late 20s – 12 years later. Growing up, my body was just my body – I rarely gave it second thought. But this all changed when I hit high school and my body started changing (thanks puberty!). I started receiving comments about my body from my peers and appearance-based bullying which started to warp my view of myself. I became incredibly self-conscious and started engaging in restrictive behaviours because I thought that if I lost weight, the bullying would stop and I would be accepted by my peers.

These restrictive behaviours were seen as ‘normal’ because I didn’t look like I had an eating disorder. Back then, there wasn’t much discussion around eating disorders. We were briefly taught about anorexia but I didn't fit the picture presented to us of a person in a thin body. My eating disorder was disguised as a ‘diet’ because I thought I needed to lose weight.

In addition to restriction, I started engaging in bingeeating to help me manage with symptoms of depression and anxiety. I had a dysfunctional home life and along with the bullying at school, the only way I felt I could cope was to numb the feelings with food. The bingeing and restriction became a vicious cycle and continued into adulthood until it was finally picked up by a psychologist I was seeing.

At this point in my life I was going through a major depressive episode and the bingeing became quite distressing. My psychologist picked up that I was having difficulties with food and body image and referred me to a dietitian who specialised in eating disorders. I looked her up that night and on her website she described bingeeating disorder – it was a light bulb moment for me.

I’d spent so long trying to identify what I was going through. I felt like there was something ‘wrong’ with me. Each time I went to the GP I was told to get on the scales and lose weight, I didn’t know how to explain to medical professionals that there was more to the story. I was so grateful that my psychologist identified my disordered eating so I was able to get help and that’s why I am passionate about sharing my story so others can get the support they need!

Re: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

im not sure how to answer that really. food issues were kind of mentioned in hospital stays but its not been most 'important' thing of everything and i get by. i dont discuss those things with anyone really. its just another 'bad thing' about me. in last year had surgery and health problems which has meant i cant exercise i used to run and my body has changed so much and its harder with the food things now as well because of that and dealing with changed body. i guess that kind of why interested here tonight.

Re: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Hi when i was bigger i didnt care what people think now im losing weight if i put a kilo on i find myself crying.im tired of being big i feel ugly fat i feel like an embarassment to my kids my grandkids

Re: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Hi @Gammy and @Erica5, welcome to the discussion! We're so glad you have both joined us Smiley Very Happy

 

All of our questions for this topic will be posted here on this thread, so you only need to refresh your browser/page to see them. If you would like to respond to any of the questions yourself, you click reply! I'd be happy to help you both throughout this event if there are any issues

 

Heart from cloudcore

Re: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Hi @BlueBay thanks so much for being here and sharing part of your journey. I experienced bingeeating as well and often it can come with a lot of feelings of guilt, shame and secrecy so you are definitely not alone. Well done for reaching out to your psych for support. Do you have any close or trusted friends/family that you might like to tell? Or would you prefer to just speak to your care team about it - that's ok as well if you're not ready to tell others. 

Re: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Im not really here was just querying how it worked . Thanks @daisydreamee

Re: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

@SarahBee "My psychologist picked up that I was having difficulties with food and body image and referred me to a dietitian who specialised in eating disorders. I looked her up that night and on her website she described bingeeating disorder – it was a light bulb moment for me." 

 

Those light bulb moments are so powerful. It sounds like it was a long journey to seeking the right support for you. Getting the right support makes such a difference, and a real turning point in recovery. I'm really glad to hear that you were able to find those supports for you after a long journey Heart 

Re: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

No one knows. I'm worried people won't understsbd. It all comes back to my childhood abuse snd growing up big. And negative comments from my mum growing up. 
some days I don't want to eat on purpose to see how much weight I can lose. Another thing I do is hop in the scales a few times a day. 
@SarahBee 

Re: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Hi @TAB  hope you're ok. Xx