The Eating Disorder Therapist

Today, many of my clients enter the therapy room with a diagnosis or self-diagnosis of ADHD. They have often only recently realised the humungous impact on their lifetime relationship with food. If you have ADHD, you have increased vulnerability to suffering from an eating disorder, particularly bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder. This is backed up by research finding that people with ADHD are four times more likely to have an eating disorder than those without. ADHD adds a layer of complexity in navigating your food relationship, when this is already hugely challenging in a diet obsessed world. If you have ADHD and an eating disorder, please show yourself deep understanding and compassion for your food struggles. In this episode, I share 11 insights around ADHD and eating disorders from the therapy room. I hope that you find it helpful. Harriet's Substack: https://substack.com/@theeatingdisordertherapist   Harriet Frew's current offers: - Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html Online Breaking Free from Bulimia  https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/bulimia-nervosa-online-course.html Eating Disorders Training for Professionals https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/eating-disorders-training-with-harriet-frew.html Body Image Training for Professionals https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/body-image-training-with-harriet-frew.html    

In this episode, I dispense five pearls of wisdom to my younger self. I hope that you find it helpful.   Harriet's Substack: https://substack.com/@theeatingdisordertherapist   Harriet Frew's current offers: - Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html Online Breaking Free from Bulimia  https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/bulimia-nervosa-online-course.html Eating Disorders Training for Professionals https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/eating-disorders-training-with-harriet-frew.html Body Image Training for Professionals https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/body-image-training-with-harriet-frew.html  

Compulsive exercise is not joyful. It has become a weary, punishing ‘should’ to endure despite injury and bone-weary exhaustion. You cannot stop. Your sanity depends on completing the next workout and achieving your step count. It’s rigid and time robbing of precious life moments. You rely on exercise to earn your meals and to give you permission to eat. It is a distraction from difficult emotions. It’s intricately linked to weight control and body image. It’s more than psychological. When you are restricting your food intake, the brain chemical, leptin is significantly reduced. This drives the urge to be active and move. It’s a survival mechanism in human beings which would have kept us alive in scarce times gone by. Activity can be happening in different forms. You may be openly and deliberately engaging in activities such as gym sessions or swimming. Or you may have become secretive in increasing your exercise through additional pacing around the house, when no-one is there. Or standing for long periods rather than comfortably sitting down. Or you may have joined more than one gym so you can do extra sessions without prompting concern from staff. You may feel confused about the healthiness of your exercise. In a world that praises constant movement and screams forcefully about the fear of eating too much, you may well be validated for your extreme regime, viewed as ‘the fit person’, as others do not understand your internal torture and compulsion. In this episode, I explore how to recognise that you are struggling and with practical tips to break free and improve your relationship with activity. I hope that you find it helpful.   This week's sponsor: - Fueling for Recovery: https://fuelingforrecovery.com/   Harriet's Substack: https://substack.com/@theeatingdisordertherapist   Harriet Frew's current offers: - Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html Online Breaking Free from Bulimia  https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/bulimia-nervosa-online-course.html Eating Disorders Training for Professionals https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/eating-disorders-training-with-harriet-frew.html Body Image Training for Professionals https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/body-image-training-with-harriet-frew.html  

Making sense of your eating disorder through psychological formulation If you’re lost in the jungle of your eating disorder, without a map to guide you safely, you probably feel intense confusion and overwhelm. Why can’t I just eat normally? Why the constant obsessions with food? What is wrong with me? You likely feel terribly alone. To begin to unravel the tangled ed vines that have wrapped themselves tortuously around you, and to shed some awareness and understanding of the complexity of the issue, therapists sometimes use the tool of psychological formulation. Psychological formulation aims to piece together the different parts of the jigsaw, to bring light and clarity. It provides a zoom-out perspective of the eating disorder, as a coping strategy. It peels back the different layers of the psychological onion offering insights and hope around change. In this episode, I explore a psychological formulation and how you can use this as a tool in therapy. I hope that you find it helpful.   Harriet's Substack: https://substack.com/@theeatingdisordertherapist   Harriet Frew's current offers: - Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html Online Breaking Free from Bulimia  https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/bulimia-nervosa-online-course.html Eating Disorders Training for Professionals https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/eating-disorders-training-with-harriet-frew.html Body Image Training for Professionals https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/body-image-training-with-harriet-frew.html

Your thoughts play an important role in your relationship with food. This episode dives into raising awareness of negative automatic thoughts and how to challenge them. This is particularly relevant if you are struggling with binge eating, emotional eating, out-of-control eating and/or chewing/spitting. I hope that you find it helpful.   This week's sponsor: - Marcelle Rose  Book: https://amzn.eu/d/c8rjpeP Appointments: email@marcellerosenutrition.co.uk Website: www.marcellerosenutrition.co.uk Follow on Facebook Follow on Instagram Follow on Linkedin   Join The Foood Freedom  Collective community   Harriet's Substack: https://substack.com/@theeatingdisordertherapist   Harriet Frew's current offers: - Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html Online Breaking Free from Bulimia  https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/bulimia-nervosa-online-course.html Eating Disorders Training for Professionals https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/eating-disorders-training-with-harriet-frew.html Body Image Training for Professionals https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/body-image-training-with-harriet-frew.html    

In this episode, I explore unhealthy competitiveness and how it can be destructive. Particularly, when it leaves you constantly comparing and not feeling good enough. I hope that you enjoy it.   Harriet's Substack: https://substack.com/@theeatingdisordertherapist   Harriet Frew's current offers: - Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html Online Breaking Free from Bulimia  https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/bulimia-nervosa-online-course.html Eating Disorders Training for Professionals https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/eating-disorders-training-with-harriet-frew.html Body Image Training for Professionals https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/body-image-training-with-harriet-frew.html

CBT-E is one of the most favoured and researched therapies for eating disorders. It means enhanced cognitive behaviour therapy. If you access support via the NHS (assuming that you are based in the UK), you may well be offered this treatment, particularly if you meet diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder. The approach is described as transdiagnostic, as it’s relevant for several different eating disorder diagnoses. CBT-E was developed by Professor Christopher Fairburn and his team in Oxford over two decades ago, initially as a treatment for bulimia nervosa but then it expanded out to treat other eating disorders too. In this episode, I explore CBT-E, my experience of delivering it and considerations for clients. I hope that you find it helpful.   Harriet's Substack: https://substack.com/@theeatingdisordertherapist   Harriet Frew's current offers: - Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html Online Breaking Free from Bulimia  https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/bulimia-nervosa-online-course.html Eating Disorders Training for Professionals https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/eating-disorders-training-with-harriet-frew.html Body Image Training for Professionals https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/body-image-training-with-harriet-frew.html

Being the eldest daughter can bring unique challenges to well-being. Eldest children tend to be super-carers, overly responsible and 'good children'. In this episode, I explore my personal experience as an eldest child and the impact on relationship with food and mental health. I hope that you enjoy the episode.   Harriet's Substack: https://substack.com/@theeatingdisordertherapist   Harriet Frew's current offers: - Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html Online Breaking Free from Bulimia  https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/bulimia-nervosa-online-course.html Eating Disorders Training for Professionals https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/eating-disorders-training-with-harriet-frew.html Body Image Training for Professionals https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/body-image-training-with-harriet-frew.html  

Here I share 7 healthy hacks, which I love. These are centred around mental wellbeing, connection and self-care. I hope that you enjoy the episode.   Harriet's Substack: https://substack.com/@theeatingdisordertherapist   Harriet Frew's current offers: - Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html Online Breaking Free from Bulimia  https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/bulimia-nervosa-online-course.html Eating Disorders Training for Professionals https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/eating-disorders-training-with-harriet-frew.html Body Image Training for Professionals https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/body-image-training-with-harriet-frew.html   Likes Download

Today, I’m talking with Alexandra Lederman, an art therapist working in Melbourne, Australia. After working as a fine artist and discovering the benefits and value of the creative process, Alex knew that she wanted to help others learn how to express and communicate through art. Alex’s experience lies in therapeutic support for diverse population groups, including young children and their families, adolescents and the elderly. Her approach is person centred, strengths-based and aims to work with the individual and their wider network. Her personal strength is the ability to incorporate the visual arts into therapeutic healing and growth. Alex works using a lens from Polyvalgal Theory, which helps her to understand her own emotional state, as well as being able to meet her clients where they are at and help them to find a sense of safety, regulation, play and connection. In the episode today, Alex talks about her own eating disorder recovery journey and how art was an integral part of this. She talks about the role of art in eating disorder recovery, how it can help, support and heal. Alex explains about the use of Polyvagal Theory and Internal Family Systems in her work. She also talks about her upcoming ‘All Your Colours Programme’, starting in May 2025, for people with eating disorders. This is an integrative specialist online therapy group for people with eating disorders (at any stage in their recovery). This is such an interesting episode and opens the mind to many creative possibilities available in recovery, outside conventional treatments. I hope that you enjoy it.   To find out more about Alex: - Instagram: @alexledermantherapy Website: https://www.alexandralederman.com/   This week's sponsor: - Fueling for Recovery: https://fuelingforrecovery.com/   Harriet Frew's current offers: - Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html Online Breaking Free from Bulimia  https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/bulimia-nervosa-online-course.html Eating Disorders Training for Professionals https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/eating-disorders-training-with-harriet-frew.html Body Image Training for Professionals https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/body-image-training-with-harriet-frew.html