#163: The Wisdom in Dissociation: When Leaving Your Body Is a Form of Protection with Monika Ostroff, LICSW, CEDS-S

"Eating disorders are dissociative by nature. It's very difficult to be connected to your feelings while you're engaging in eating disorder behaviors. So it makes a lot of sense that people develop eating disorders as a way of keeping themselves as “safe” as possible."

In this special episode, Abbie is joined by the incredible Monika Ostroff, a therapist and eating disorders specialist, to explore Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and its overlooked intersection with eating disorders. They also have a deeper conversation about the relationship between trauma and disordered eating.

Monika shares her personal journey, detailing her experiences with anorexia and trauma, and how these experiences shaped her professional path in the field of eating disorders. 

Listen to hear more about:

• The misconceptions surrounding DID 
• Trauma-related origins of both DID and eating disorders
• Taking a strengths-based perspective in recovery
• Trauma-informed approaches to treatment
• The complex relationship between trauma, eating disorders, and self-compassion
• Understanding our internal voices
• Using inner world tools for healing 
• The protective nature of eating disorders
• What it means to be gentle in recovery
• Addressing the challenges of worthlessness
• Coping with societal pressures surrounding body image
• Why healing is really about connection
• How we can show up for ourselves with kindness and understanding
• So much more!

About Monika: Monika Ostroff, LICSW, CEDS-S is the Executive Director of the Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association, Inc (MEDA). Prior to leading MEDA, she directed several residential, partial hospital and intensive outpatient eating disorder programs in addition to having owned a thriving private practice. 

Monika is the co-author of Anorexia Nervosa: A Guide to Recovery and a contributing author to Self-Harm Behavior and Eating Disorders. With more than 25 years of experience in the field of eating disorders, Monika has presented at many national conferences, taught at the university level, and appeared on many media broadcasts, publications & podcasts. 

Practicing from a trauma informed, social justice and staunchly HAES® aligned lens, Monika is a dedicated ally and strong advocate working to ensure access to equitable, compassionate, and affirming care for all. Her passion for treating eating disorders and mentoring other professionals was borne out of her own struggle with severe and enduring anorexia nervosa and life experiences.

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Transcripts: If you’re looking for transcripts, you can find those on Abbie's website, www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/podcast

Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy

Podcast Editing by Brian Walters

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