In the brutal lens of an ED, seeing yourself in a mirror or in pictures can be incredibly triggering. This is one of the pitfalls of self-objectification during the eating disorder, where we are ruled by parts of ourselves and how they measure up to a thin ideal. This lens at which we view ourselves does not automatically change the day we decide we want to get help. At any point during recovery (most especially physical recovery), seeing our bodies transform for health can be challenging. This episode focuses on how we confront our image again, prioritizing recovery, self-respect, and reframing representations of the space we live within. 

 

Bibliography (show notes):

“Difficulty with Skewed Body Image.” National Eating Disorders Association, www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/difficulty-skewed-body-image.

Hagen, Uta, et al. Respect for Acting. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2008.

Mitchell, Kylie. “On Seeing a Photo of Yourself and Not Liking How You Look.” ImmaEATthat, immaeatthat.com/2018/05/15/on-seeing-a-photo-of-yourself-and-not-liking-how-you-look/.

Muhlheim. “Say Cheese! How to Be in and Celebrate Photos.” Eating Disorder Therapy LA, 19 May 2020, www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/say-cheese-how-to-be-in-and-celebrate-photos/.

Rollin, Jennifer. “For When You Can't Stand a Photo of Yourself.” THE EATING DISORDER CENTER, www.theeatingdisordercenter.com/blog/for-when-you-cant-stand-a-photo-of-yourself.