You are not your eating disorder
“You are not your eating disorder”
I think that is such a powerful statement and it came from our guests Dr Bryony Bamford and Cliona Brennan, who joined us for this week’s discussion about eating issues.
I wouldn’t normally mention this, but I have had an eating disorder. I was a teenager at the time and, back in the late 80’s, I felt some pressure to be slim. I recognise that, for me, I needed some control during a time of my life when everything seemed to be changing so rapidly. I am not alone in this, and I worked my way through it thanks to some very intuitive support from the teenager who grew to be my husband. My Grandma (in cahoots with my Mum) was also instrumental in making a difference. She would leave newspaper articles lying around, effectively telling me why it’s important to eat. Family and friends can do their very best (and in my case it worked) but sometimes professional help is needed. So to have Bryony and Cliona sharing their expertise with us was so very important and so very useful.
“Eating disorders can be very secretive but you know your child”
Bryony and Cliona are based at the The London Centre for Eating Disorders and Body Image and come with a wealth of experience. They reminded us that, as parent and carers, we know the signs when something isn’t right. They stressed the importance of acting quickly when an eating disorder is identified and also gave some very useful resources that can be relied upon for advice and support.
The eating disorders charity BEAT was one of those. Bryony and Cliona discussed how best to support young people going through this and the most constructive ways of having conversations around the subject. They offered common sense, no nonsense advice to help with those times when emotions can be running very high.
Teen Eating Issues
If the eating habits of your teenager are causing you concern, I can strongly recommend catching up with what Bryony and Cliona had to say and you can watch the session again here.
Next week – Ask Away Q&A
We are back next week for our ‘Ask Away’ session. Anything about the mental health and wellbeing of your teenager is up for discussion, when I’m joined by our resident clinical psychologist, Dr Sarah-Jane Knight. I love these conversations….they’re a chance to ask whatever is on your mind and receive some really sensible and considered advice from Sarah Jane.
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Written by Tara Dolby, September 2023.