Neurodivergence and disordered eating with Annie Crowe
May 2, 2022
auto_awesome
Annie Crowe, a neurodivergent lawyer, discusses her late diagnosis and struggles with disordered eating. The podcast explores the overlap between neurodivergence and eating disorders, barriers to effective treatment, and the importance of tailored support for neurodivergent individuals.
Neurodivergent individuals face challenges in receiving effective treatment for eating disorders due to overlapping symptoms.
Understanding the complexities of neurodivergence can help distinguish between eating issues rooted in neurodivergence and those indicative of an eating disorder.
Tailored care considering the intersection of neurodivergence, gender, and chronic health conditions is crucial for improved treatment outcomes.
Deep dives
Discovery of Neurodivergence and Childhood Development
The realization of being neurodivergent came to Annie at 27 when she discovered information on ADHD in women. Traits of neurodivergence were evident from a young age, with developmental milestones hit early. Despite early successes, struggles with reading and social interactions were present, leading to challenges in school.
Challenges in Education and Identity
Annie's early experiences in school highlighted the complexity of early development, debunking the stereotype of delayed milestones for neurodivergent individuals. The transition to high school posed new social and identity challenges, reflecting the inner conflict between intellectual readiness and social anxieties.
Navigating Cognitive Dissonance and Self-Worth
Annie's journey unveiled cognitive dissonance in her identity as she excelled intellectually but faced challenges in reading due to dyslexia. This internal conflict led to imposter syndrome and self-doubt, impacting her self-esteem. The complexity of intelligence versus struggles in certain areas added layers of anxiety and self-perception.
Impact of Identity and Social Settings
The interplay between identity, social interactions, and neurodivergence unfolded throughout Annie's life, affecting her relationships and self-image. Bullied for weight and unseen neurodivergent traits, she struggled with societal perceptions of beauty and acceptance. These challenges shaped her experiences with disordered eating and body image, highlighting the need for understanding and support.
Struggles with Physiotherapy and Executive Function
Struggles with physiotherapy due to executive function challenges are highlighted. The speaker shares experiences of feeling embarrassed and lying about completing exercises, leading to negative impacts on their health. They stress the importance of physios understanding the complexities of hypermobility and sensory issues for effective treatment.
Intersection of Neurodivergence, Gender, and Chronic Health Conditions
The intersection of neurodivergence, gender, and chronic health conditions is discussed. The speaker emphasizes the difficulty in finding professionals who can address these intersecting aspects like eating disorders and autism. The importance of tailored care that considers the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in treatment is underscored.
TW: This episode discusses disordered eating, weight loss, and diet culture, and Annie describes her experiences during periods of an active eating disorder. Some listeners may find this content triggering, particularly those currently experiencing an active eating disorder, and those in recovery from an eating disorder. Please consume with caution, and reach out to your local crisis line if you need to talk to a professional.
In our final episode for Season 2 Michelle and Monique chat with Annie Crowe about neurodivergence, late diagnosis, chronic health issues, and disordered eating. Annie is an Autistic lawyer with ADHD, dyslexia and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Annie shares her journey to diagnosis and her experience of disordered eating throughout her childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. We chat about the overlap between neurodivergence and eating disorders, including common eating disorders that co-occur with Autism and ADHD, and untangling eating issues that are part of neurodivergence versus part of an eating disorder. We discuss barriers to effective treatment of health and eating issues for neurodivergent individuals and what can be done differently to improve treatment and recovery.