In this episode, we break down body dysmorphia and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) - what they are, how they differ, and why so many struggle with body image in the first place. We explore the psychology behind distorted self-perception, common symptoms, and the impact of social media, diet culture and societal beauty ideals.

We’ll cover:

• What body dysmorphia is (and isn’t)
• The difference between body dysmorphia and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
• Signs and symptoms of body dysmorphia, and the diagnostic criteria of BDD
• Common misconceptions
• The impact of social media, comparison, and beauty standards

In this week's episode I'm joined by coach and counsellor Alix Walker to discuss eating disorder treatment and managing social media when in recovery. Topics we cover:

• The hurdles accessing care for an eating disorder
• Not feeling 'sick enough'
• #Skinnytok, 'what I eat in a day' videos, and navigating social media in recovery
• Body image healing
• Managing triggers

Alix's Instagram: @counsellingwithalix

Alix's website: alixwalkercounselling.co.uk

In this episode I am joined by Beth Francois, an experienced eating disorder dietitian to discuss everything eating disorder treatment. Topics we cover:

• Working with a dietitian in recovery, and the importance of specialised care
• Meal plans and structured eating
• When to start trusting your hunger-fullness cues
• 'All in' and extreme hunger
• What intuitive eating really means (in recovery and beyond)
• Why talking therapy is not always enough
• Common traps people fall into in recovery

Beth's instagram: @theeddietitian

Beth's website: theeddietitian.com

In this episode, we're exploring body checking: what it is, why it happens, and how to actually break free from the cycle with some practical (and slightly unconventional!) strategies. Whether you're mirror checking, analysing pictures, lifting up your shirt, touching your stomach or comparing your body to others, this episode is for you.

We’ll explore:

- The psychology behind body checking

- Conscious versus automated (habitual) body checking

- Why letting go feel can feel so hard and scary

- The subtle and not-so-subtle ways it shows up

- Body comparison

Ever wondered why you can eat a giant of low-calorie, high-protein, high-fibre foods and still feel unsatisfied? In this episode, we break down how fats and carbohydrates help your body feel truly full, mentally and physically. We talk about the difference between physical fullness and real satiety, and why eating enough energy-dense foods is so important in recovery.

Topics we cover in this episode:

• Physical fullness VS true satiety
• How carbs and fats regulate physical and mental hunger
• Protein myths and facts
• Mental hunger, dopamine & hedonic eating (and why they are not 'bad')
• Bingeing, and how volume eating can backfire
• Blood sugar regulation and reactive hypoglycaemia
• How high-fibre diets in (early) recovery can cause gut issues

• Rewiring, and the importance of challenging disordered rules and fears

For coaching-related inquiries, head to letsrecover.co.uk.

In this episode I discuss giving recovery another go when you have a history of failed attempts and relapses.

⁠@amalielee⁠ | ⁠@letsrecover.co.uk⁠ | ⁠letsrecover.co.uk

In this episode I talk about OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), and how it relates to eating disorders. I discuss what OCD is, OCD vs OCPD, less known manifestations including 'pure O', OCD-ED and whether or not an eating disorder can be viewed as a form of OCD.

Link to article mentioned: 'Ethical Orthorexia', Veganism & Moral Rigidity In Eating Disorders

Website: letsrecover.co.uk

In this week's episode I discuss whether or not someone has to believe full recovery is possible for them in order to recover, and how the eating disorder will try and latch onto doubt to keep you stuck.

@amalielee | @letsrecover.co.uk | letsrecover.co.uk

Where does the line go between Orthorexia and healthy eating? How do you know if you simply enjoy being active, or are engaging in disordered movement? What does 'healthy' even mean? In this episode I discuss the difference between someone caring about their health versus someone having an eating disorder, and how the eating disorder will try to camouflage unhealthy behaviours as healthy.

Articles mentioned:

The mental benefits of healing your relationship with movement

What about walking?

@amalielee | @letsrecover.co.uk | letsrecover.co.uk

In this episode I discuss cravings in recovery from a restrictive eating disorder, and how your eating disorders' tendency to over-analyse your cravings can hold you back. I also discuss carbohydrate cravings, and craving meat as a (former) vegetarian or vegan in recovery.

letsrecover.co.uk | @letsrecover.co.uk | @amalielee