Anorexia and Autism: Could Interoception Be the Missing Piece?

Interoception, the sense that helps us recognize our internal bodily signals like hunger and thirst, is often impaired in individuals with autism and eating disorders. But could this "missing sense" be the key to understanding the overlap between autism and anorexia? In this episode, I explore how interoceptive challenges affect emotional regulation, self-perception, and body image, drawing connections between science and lived experience.

You'll learn:

• What interoception is and how it impacts everyday life
• The role of the insula in interoceptive awareness
• How interoceptive challenges contribute to autistic traits and anorexia behaviors
• The link between interoception and body image, including the Rubber Hand Illusion
• What "allocentric lock" is and its role in anorexia
• Practical strategies for improving interoceptive skills

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📝 Read the blog post of this episode (with sources)