Eating disorder recovery – Michelle Sparkes

Confessions of a binge eater w/ Ryan Sheldon


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Binge-eating is a common feature in the disordered eating landscape. Binge-Eating Disorder as a diagnosis affects around 3.5% women, 2% men and 1.6% adolescents. Today I speak with Ryan Sheldon, a male who has struggled with binge-eating disorder and is using his experience to help others through his blog, Confessions of a Binge-eater.

Important take home messages include:

  • Accepting you have a problem
  • Asking for help
  • Finding someone you can trust to hear and not judge you when you’re struggling
  • Realising it’s a ‘real’ problem, that you’re not alone, and that there are other men who are struggling with this
  • Other key points:

    • Body shaming affects men
    • There will be people out there who will understand and not judge or shame you. Your national ED association is a good place to ask for relevant points of connection and referral.
    • One thing Ryan says would have helped him 5 years ago:

      • Having someone help me identify that I had a problem.
      • “I don’t know where I would be right now if I had been asked about my eating habits” says Ryan.
      • Here’s a simple questionnaire that can help you identify if you have an eating issue that warrants further assessment.

        For further help see your primary health care physician or contact [email protected]

        Questions and feedback welcome.

        @mp_sparkes

         

         

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        Eating disorder recovery – Michelle SparkesBy Michelle Sparkes