In this conversation, Jen Gold, a therapist specializing in eating disorders, discusses the complexities of body image and disordered eating, particularly during the holiday season.
Links:
Entwine Community: https://entwinecommunity.org/
Yellow Chair Collective: https://yellowchaircollective.com/
Takeaways
- Mindfulness practices like walking can help reduce anxiety.
- Body image issues are common but do not always lead to disordered eating.
- Eating disorders can stem from societal pressures and personal experiences.
- Recovery from eating disorders is possible with the right support.
- Dieting often leads to harmful metabolic effects and can trigger disordered eating.
- The holidays can exacerbate body image issues due to societal expectations.
- Family comments about weight can significantly impact self-esteem.
- Empathy is crucial for therapists working with clients with eating disorders.
- Understanding the emotional roots of eating disorders is essential for treatment.
- Food should be viewed as fuel rather than categorized as good or bad. Even kind comments about body image can trigger shame.
- Cultural messaging can deeply affect personal body image perceptions.
- Disordered eating often stems from a desire for acceptance.
- It's important to recognize the insidious nature of societal beauty standards.
- Recovery involves aligning daily actions with personal values.
- Secrecy and shame are common in those with eating disorders.
- Community support is crucial in overcoming negative body image.
- Parents should model healthy attitudes towards food and body image.
- Children notice discrepancies between words and actions regarding body image.
- Focus on the functionality of the body rather than appearance.
Chapters
- 00:00 Introduction and Mindfulness Practices
- 03:01 Understanding Eating Disorders
- 05:50 Distinctions: Body Image Issues vs. Disordered Eating
- 08:57 Pathways to Eating Disorders
- 11:59 The Role of Food and Dieting
- 15:02 Holidays and Body Image Challenges
- 17:57 Evolving Perspectives on Eating Disorders
- 21:00 Empathy and Growth as a Therapist
- 23:55 Family Influence on Body Image
- 24:39 The Impact of Body Image on Mental Health
- 30:00 Understanding the Roots of Disordered Eating
- 36:03 Cultural Pressures and the 'New Year, New You' Mentality
- 38:07 Strategies for Combatting Negative Messaging
- 41:06 Raising Body-Positive Children
