Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder Recovery

Reflecting on my Eating Disorder Through an Autistic Lens

Sep 26, 2024

Livia shares her powerful journey through eating disorder recovery while navigating autism. She discusses how mundane life events can trigger overstimulation and the unique challenges of living with others. Insights on coping strategies highlight the interplay between sensory needs and recovery. Livia reflects on the emotional weight of weight gain, addressing all-or-nothing thinking. By connecting her past struggles to everyday mishaps, she emphasizes the importance of compassion in understanding neurodivergent experiences and the path to healing.

47:53

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Livia

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Quick takeaways

Autistic challenges in eating disorder recovery are rooted in a need for structure, making deviations from routines particularly anxiety-provoking.

Understanding the interplay between neurodivergent traits and emotional triggers is crucial for fostering compassionate support during recovery processes.

Deep dives

Understanding Autistic Panic Responses

Experiencing panic attacks in reaction to unexpected events is common among autistic individuals, and this can manifest in overwhelming thoughts and feelings. The speaker recounts a laundry incident that triggered a panic response, leading to an all-or-nothing mindset, where everything seemed ruined. This reaction mirrors thoughts experienced during an eating disorder, highlighting how the pressure of perfection and black-and-white thought patterns can emerge in moments of distress. Recognizing these patterns provides a foundation for understanding and addressing the emotional triggers in both situations.

Embrace Each Day as a Fresh Start

01:39

Rigid Routine Breeds Anxiety

01:06

Intro

12min

A Laundry Mishap and Returning Home: Reflections on Life and Routine

7min

A Journey Through Color and Recovery

3min

Laundry Mishaps and Reflections on Eating Disorders

2min

Navigating Emotions and Identity in Recovery

22min

Embracing Community and Connection in Recovery

2min

Eating disorder recovery can be a challenge for autistic folks due to difficulty with change, sensory aspects of weight gain, and the unpredictability around what will "replace" the eating disorder. In this episode, Livia talks about a recent hardship in her life, bringing it into parallel with her past eating disorder. She reflects on how many of her autistic traits manifested as disordered food and movement, and highlights how understanding the underlying neurodivergent traits creates compassion and kindness for neurodiversity-affirming eating disorder recovery.

Key Topics Discussed:

How Mundane Life Events Can Trigger Overstimulation
Autistic Difficulties Living with Others
Minimalism and Sensory Needs
Sensory Regulation Strategies and Managing Triggers
Autistic Black and White Thinking and How It Manifests
Hypersensitivity to Environment
Difficulties with Cognitive Flexibility and Decision Fatigue
Wanting to Crawl Out of Skin During the Weight Gain Process
Mindset Shifts to Challenge All-or-Nothing Thoughts
Coping with Overwhelm and Processing
Stimming Through Body Movement
Neurodivergent Challenges with Spending Money

🌈 Buy Rainbow Girl: A Memoir of Autism and Anorexia
📚 Create your own Autism and Eating Disorders Book Bundle
👉🏻 Join Autistically ED-Free Group Coaching

Connect with Livia:
🍩 INSTAGRAM
🌐 WEBSITE
📚 BOOKS

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