In this week's episode, Han is joined by Agnes Ayton. Agnes is a Consultant Psychiatrist, the Chair of the Faculty of Eating Disorders RCPsych at RCPsych Consultant Psychiatrist in Eating Disorders, and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Oxford. Agnes has a longstanding commitment to improving patient safety and quality of care and has published on these topics, more recently, the MEED guidelines.

This week, we discuss:

• Agnes’ experience as a psychiatrist, and how this lead to research in eating disorders.
• What is CBT-E (enhanced) and integrated CBT-E.
• How integrated CBT-E differs from treatment as usual (TAU) in an inpatient setting.
• The importance yet difficulties of research in an inpatient setting.
• The outcomes of the integrated CBT-E study.
• How other services can implement integrated CBT-E into their treatment options.

You can find out more about Agnes and her research by connecting with her on X (@AgnesAyton) or check out the paper mentioned in this podcast here.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics, including BMI metrics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

n this week’s episode, Han is joined by @qui_rkythoughts. She has personal experience of anorexia and autism to celebrate #autismacceptanceweek. She works with charities, hosts career fairs, and explores the intersection of eating disorders and autism on her podcast, @qui_rkythoughts.

This week, we discuss:

• Trish's experience of anorexia and inpatient admissions, and how autism influenced Trish's patterns of behaviour.
• How to navigate autistic behaviours vs eating disorder behaviours and understand where the behaviours are coming from.
• Trish's advice for supporting someone who is neurodiverse during an inpatient admission.

To find out more about Trish, you can listen to her podcast Quirky Thoughts where she chats about her experiences, acknowledge her uniqueness and embrace autism or follow her on Instagram @qui_rkythoughts.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics, including BMI metrics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

In this week's episode, Han is joined by AnDy Darling. AnDy Darling is a singer-songwriter, described as a mix of Gwen Stefani and Doja Cat, AnDy's music blends acoustic and electronic vibes, serving up catchy melodies and bold lyrics. Her latest single ‘Skinny' dives deep into body image struggles, partnering with BDD Foundation to raise awareness and offer support. AnDy's a burst of energy, both sassy and bubbly, leaving a lasting impression with her fresh sound.

This week, we discuss:

• AnDy's experience of BDD and how this inspires her music.
• The role of beauty ideals and how they impacted AnDy's experience of her body.
• The role of the music industry and how it can work to support societal mental health.

To find out more about AnDy, you can follow her on Instagram @andy_darling_ae or find her on TikTok @iamandydarling.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder and body image topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

In this week's episode, Han is joined by Dr Amita Jassi. Amita is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the National and Specialist OCD, BDD, and Related Disorder Service for Children and Young People at South London and Maudsley (SLAM) NHS Trust. Amita is the lead for the BDD service and Research Lead for the clinic. In addition, she holds the role of Equality and Diversity Lead for National Specialist CAMHS and serves as a trustee for the BDD Foundation charity.

This week, we discuss:

• What is body dysmorphia, including the signs, symptoms and causes of BDD.
• The psychology behind BDD and the research that is required.
• Treatment options available for those with BDD.
• Where BDD falls in the diagnostic criteria and how the variety of presentations affects this.
• Important considerations when exploring body-altering surgeries and the importance of screening ahead of surgeries.
• Stigmas associated with BDD and how we can support individuals to understand more about BDD.
• How non-specialist services can get involved to support their patients with BDD.

To find out more about Amita, you can follow her on Instagram (@dr.amita.jassi), Twitter (@Dr_Amita_Jassi) or find out about Amita's work at SLAM here.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

In this week’s podcast, Han is joined by Dr Lauren Duncan. Lauren is a black woman of dual heritage and has personal experience of anorexia. Lauren has just finished her PhD where she was researching the role of racism and relationships in the development of eating disorders in black women.

This week, we discuss:

• The drive for Lauren's PhD, including the lack of research on minority ethnic groups, particularly black women.
• The impact of low self-esteem due to stigmas against their race and ethnicity, and how that impacted their eating disorder.
• The paradox of engaging with an eating disorder to feel connection, opposed to the reality of disconnection.
• The vulnerability an eating disorder puts on individuals and how this impacts relationships.
• The impact of stereotypes towards black women and the importance of religion, and how this influenced the development of anorexia.
• The role of boundaries in relationships and how an eating disorder can be used to excuse negative behaviours.
• The ambivalence black women felt towards romantic relationships and their eating disorders.
• The participant's relationship with sex, and the impact of anorexia.
• The participant's hopes and dreams for the future in regards to their race, relationships and eating disorders.

To find out more about Lauren and her research, you can connect with her on LinkedIn.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

In this week's episode, Han is joined by Harriet Curry. Harriet is a qualified therapist and eating disorder practitioner, with a special interest in binge eating. Using an integrative psychological approach, Harriet provides therapeutic coaching to women globally, helping them regain control, understand and navigate their thoughts and feelings, and achieve freedom with food.

This week, we discuss:

• Harriet's relationship with food and how her experience of binge eating disorder inspired her training as a therapist and eating disorder practitioner.
• The normalisation of binge eating behaviours in society.
• The hierarchy of eating disorders and shame associated with binge eating disorder.
• The impact a disordered relationship with food can have and the joy food freedom can bring.
• Harriet's work with clients including her pillars: foundations, nutrition, triggers, body image and maintaining post-recovery.

To find out more about Harriet and her work, you can follow her on Instagram @harrietcurry_ , TikTok @_harrietcurry or visit her website.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

In this week's episode, Han is joined by Laura Bourne. Laura is a final year PhD student in the Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology at UCL. Laura is interested in selective eating behaviours and complex patterns of food refusal and in particular, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Laura is keen to spread awareness and increase understanding of ARFID, and through her research, hopes to contribute to the ARFID evidence-base to work towards effectively treating this disorder. 

Eating disorder awareness week is focusing on ARFID, and with that in mind, this week's episode focuses on:

• Laura's research and interest in ARFID.
• The diagnostic criteria, subtypes and consequences of ARFID.
• The difference between ARFID and anorexia.
• The difference between ARFID and fussy eating.
• ARFID presentations in children, young people and adults.
• The association of autism and ARFID.
• The treatment available for ARFID and how to access support.

To find out more about Laura and her research, check out her UCL page here: https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/68620-laura-bourne/publications.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

In this week's episode, Han is joined by Hope Virgo & Suzanne Samaka. Hope Virgo is an award-winning mental health campaigner and has been involved in several campaigns and projects to improve the support eating disorder patients receive. Suzanne Samaka is a mental health campaigner and the founder of the Honesty About Editing Campaign which supports youth mental health against the challenges of low self-esteem and negative body image caused by edited content on social media.

This week, we discuss:

• The reason eating disorder campaigning is so important to Hope and Suzanne.
• The state of eating disorder treatment, palliative care and the ways we are failing eating disorder patients.
• The goals of the campaigning which Hope and Suzanne are involved in, and the difficulties they are facing.
• How long we should provide treatment to eating disorder patients and if this should have a maximum duration.
• How you can get involved in the eating disorder campaigning, and specifically the march on 27th April 2024 at 10:30am!

You can find more information about Hope and Suzanne and their work by following them on Instagram @hopevirgo_ / @protectyouthmentalhealth, Twitter @hopevirgo / @SuzanneSamaka or find more about their campaigns #DumpTheScales Change.org / HonestyAboutEditing Change.org.

To find out more information regarding the march on 27th April 2024, reach out to Hope on Instagram @hopevirgo_.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

In this week's episode, Han is joined by Carolina Mountford. Carolina is a mental health speaker & writer who is passionate about inspiring hope for freedom from eating disorders. She movingly shares her experiences of trauma, ADHD, mental illness and eating disorders, and her journey to recovery and freedom.

This week, we discuss:

• The stage of quasi-recovery and how Carolina broke free from this experience.
• The role of faith and religion in Carolina's recovery.
• How Carolina navigated questioning God around her eating disorder.
• The role of God, faith and religion in recovery.
• Practices during Lent that are eating disorder-friendly.

To find out more about Carolina, you can connect with her on Instagram (@carolinamountfordmh), LinkedIn (@carolinamountford) and Twitter (@carolinamountfo).

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

In this week's episode, Han is joined by Emily Andrew. Emily is an Advanced EFT Tapping and Eating Disorder Practitioner and founder of We Are MindBody. Emily specialises in applying EFT to support eating disorder recovery and works with people who are struggling with disordered eating and movement to overcome fears, eliminate self-sabotage and become their favourite version of themselves. 

This week, we discuss:

• Emily's role as a practitioner and how she works with her clients to overcome things which are keeping them stuck.
• What EFT is and how it supports clients with their concerns as an addition to your recovery toolbox.
• Emily's experience of having an eating disorder and how her relationship with alcohol aligned with this.
• The normalisation of binge drinking and disordered eating patterns related to alcohol.
• Aspects to explore when going sober based on eating disorder thoughts.
• Experimenting with non-alcoholic alternatives and having a flexible approach to alcohol and food.

To find out more about Emily, you can follow her on Instagram @wearemindbody or TikTok @wearemindbody, or check out her website for more information.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.