In this special episode of the Wednesday’s Child podcast, Debbie and Sarah are joined by social anthropology research student Hannah Whybrow.

She’s been exploring the issues around eating disorder ‘suffering’ and recovery, for a dissertation as part of her study at the University of Edinburgh.

Having had past experience of bulimia herself, Hannah set out to chat to many of those who’ve battled the illness, in an effort to show common features, and overwhelming indicators of how true recovery can be achieved.

This insightful chat explores lots of issues, not least how poorly funded the area of eating disorder research still remains.

Find out more about Wednesday's Child at https://wednesdayschild.co.uk/

So you think you’re weight restored, recovered or ‘back in control’ when it comes to your eating disorder?

Really?

What about those regimes, rules and routines which shape your daily life? Could it be that you’re still in energy debt and are being forced into a slavish world that’s still so full of needless routine?

Are you petrified of shaking up your schedule?

Find out more about Wednesday's Child - https://wednesdayschild.co.uk/

What’s your relationship like with clothes and fashion?

Has your eating disorder story made it difficult to dress yourself in recovery?

Are you still existing in baggy black clothes because you’re yet to find your own fashion identity, or because you’re scared to buy items which carry a larger size label?

If any of these issues apply, then this is the episode for you.

Sarah and Debbie look at how we navigate the issues of dressing ourselves as our recovery progresses, and how we come to terms with garment sizing which is appropriate for a ‘real body’.

We’d also love your comments on this topic, so do please feel free to get in touch with your thoughts on the episode.

Find out more at https://wednesdayschild.co.uk/

We all know eating disorders like to destroy things.

They destroy physical health, mental wellbeing, career scope, educational paths, memories and moments….and relationships too.

Today’s episode sees us chatting with Vicki and Rich, who give us a candid insight into what life is like for couples navigating eating disorder distress and recovery.

Rich speaks openly about how he learned to understand the impact anorexia and bulimia were having on the woman he loved, and he reveals how his own health and resilience suffered in his effort to be the tower of strength to his wife.

Vicki tells of the manipulation with which the eating disorder continued to try to come between her and her husband – but how the couple ultimately united in their desire to call an end to the illness once and for all.

If you’ve a similar or different story about relationships and how they’re impacted by an eating disorder, feel free to get in touch and share your insight in a future episode. Email [email protected]

There’s no holding back from Sarah and Debbie in this, the latest Wednesday’s Child podcast episode.

Giving an insight into what’s required to be in what Debbie dubs the ‘80%+ Club’, the pair delve into the concept of full recovery, vs accepting a life of plateau and ‘functioning’ existence.

You’ll hear their own experiences, plus their plea that you avoid trying to ‘kid a kidder’ when embarking on your journey of freedom.

Listen out for the additional tools for your toolbox, and for exercises you can try today to help you rationally assess how truly committed to your longterm health and happiness you really are.

Find out more about Wednesday's Child at https://wednesdayschild.co.uk/

Wow. Do we have an important and informative episode for you this time.

In this special guest episode, Debbie chats with India Ruiterman, a researcher for King’s College London who is actively studying gut-brain connection.

India and her team are recruiting those who’ve experienced an eating disorder, to gain more understanding of gastrointestinal issues and their connection to the illness.

The episode will not only educate and intrigue you, but it is sure to make you think about how you could become a better facilitator of your own recovery.

You’ll learn all about your interoceptive awareness, your parasympathetic nervous system…and why good old breathing may prove exceptionally powerful in beating the bloat.

Link to the study sign-up is here: https://kcliop.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cvjidrD1lofd4Ud

Find out more about Wednesday's Child at https://wednesdayschild.co.uk/

Here we go with an episode which will really challenge your thinking on issues like identity, narrative, labels and self acceptance.

All too often, we feel the need to have our illness label as some form of validation or recognition, but can it give way to becoming our identity?

Do we forget where our individual persona ends, and that cruel disease starts?

Do we fear getting well, because we’re not sure what our identity will now be in the eyes of family and friends?

And what of specific eating disorder labels? Is there a hidden (or not so hidden) bias in being badged anorexic, vs a binge eater?

Debbie, Sarah and Abi pull these fascinating topics apart.

Find out more about Wednesday's Child at https://wednesdayschild.co.uk/

We kickstart this episode with something of a necessary public health warning. No, not urging you to wear a mask and wash your hands, but encouraging you to remember that your recovery journey is unique and that you shouldn’t interpret statistics about a rise in eating disorder referrals as a need to feel or be ‘more poorly’.

Our theme for the full episode is all about grocery shopping and the tricky journey back to ‘normalised’ store visits, where the E.D voice has no influence over you.

Sarah and Debbie talk in great detail about how supermarket shopping can be a deeply distressing occasion for many, and what tactics and techniques can help you regain your confidence in this necessary task.

Remember, mental hunger can make a visit to a food venue feel like a confusing and concerning compulsion.

The way to overcome this once and for all, is to stay fully focused on recovery and on freedom from your illness.

Find out more about Wednesday's Child at https://wednesdayschild.co.uk/

Our latest podcast episode gets right to the heart of the matter – the function of food and eating.

While eating disorders have so many layers and impact us in so many ways, it is the food itself which plays such a critical role in our mental and physical healing.

Debbie and Sarah talk about ‘doing the doing’ and embracing the ‘challenge, repeat’ approach which can take us beyond a functioning life and into one which knows true joy.

Find out more about Wednesday's Child at https://wednesdayschild.co.uk/

Just because the media wants to go overboard with the ‘New Year, New You’ rhetoric, it doesn’t mean you need to start buying into the idea of a diet or exercise regime.

Living with, or recovering from, an eating disorder, makes this an incredibly tricky period, and Sarah and Debbie are back to help encourage and empathise.

This episode, we’re focusing in on the issue of compulsive exercise and how challenging it can be to ditch the trainers and ignore the ‘move more’ narrative.

Find out more about Wednesday's Child at https://wednesdayschild.co.uk/