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Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

cloudcoreSenior Contributor17 Sept 2021, 1:32 pm AEST

Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Hey SANE community!

This fortnight we will be welcoming one of SANE's Peer Ambassadors talking about their experiences with eating disorders and body image, leading on from Body Image and Eating Disorders Awareness Week (BIEDAW) earlier this month.

Body Image and Eating Disorders Awareness Week (BIEDAW)

BIEDAW is a national week to raise awareness of body image concerns and eating disorders, celebrated annually from the 6-12th of September. It calls upon the community to acknowledge that all bodies are important, and all bodies deserve politeness, honour and care from ourselves and from others; particularly in spaces where people are affected by eating disorders.

For this Topic Tuesday, we are making space for those of us who have struggled with body image and eating disorders, and to share experiences, resources and stories.

This discussion might help to enhance our understanding of this year’s theme “Respecting All Bodies” and and support you to have conversations around body image and eating disorders with those in your lives and find an ally. 

 

Please join us here on Tuesday the 28th of September 2021 from 7:00pm-8:30pm AEST to follow this conversation. 

Want to  receive a reminder on the night? Hit the 'Support' button below.

 

New to the forums or want to get involved in this discussion? Check out the How To Guide for Topic Tuesdays.

124 replies

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In response to: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

DaisydreamerSenior Contributor28 Sept 2021, 7:25 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

@SarahBee Question 2: What is an eating disorder and what is body image?

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

TABSenior Contributor28 Sept 2021, 7:25 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Its all good @BlueBay getting a bit embarrassing now lol Not in the mood for this ., was just asking a question

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

frogSenior Contributor28 Sept 2021, 7:25 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Hello, just catching up.

I started to have body image and eating issues during puberty, and linked acceptance and being liked/loved with being thin. While I have moved a long way from then, I am finding some of the food and body worries are back in lockdown.

Hi@SarahBee @cloudcore @BlueBay @Daisydreamer and everyone here!

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

SarahBeeContributor28 Sept 2021, 7:26 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Hi @Millieme - welcome, thanks for joining us tonight 😃 I can really relate to the body changes as well. It can be really tricky to navigate when our body changes as well as not being able to engage in our regular routines. I'm going to touch base on this later tonight but I found that my other mental health stuff was prioritised over the eating/body image stuff which led to not being diagnosed for several years. We are going to chat about ways to reach out for support later too, so keep an eye out.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Shaz51Senior Contributor28 Sept 2021, 7:26 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Hello @cloudcore , @Daisydreamer , @SarahBee 😀👋

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

RedHorseSenior Contributor28 Sept 2021, 7:26 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

I was hospitalized as a teenager during school holidays for an unrelated illness and spent six weeks on the ward until I had gained sufficient weight to be allowed home. I then returned to boarding school 2500 KMs from my home and my family didn't really mention it again. More than forty years have passed and I still struggle with my body image.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

SarahBeeContributor28 Sept 2021, 7:27 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

What is an eating disorder and what is body image?

An eating disorder is a serious mental illness that usually involves harmful and extreme preoccupation around food, eating, body weight and/or exercise.

Anyone can develop an eating disorder – regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, body shape, eating disorders do not discriminate.

People with an eating disorder may:
- experience extreme dissatisfaction with their body
- be secretive about their food intake
- worry about gaining weight
- engage in body checking, such as regularly weighing themselves
- feel out of control around food
- be constantly dieting (eg. caloriecounting, avoiding certain foods)
- engaging in excessive or compulsive exercising
- have constant preoccupation with food
- withdraw from their usual activities

Body image involves the thoughts and feelings you have about your body. These can either be negative, positive or neutral (my fave!). Our body image can be influenced by internal factors (eg. low self-esteem) or external factors (eg. comparing self to others, unrealistic body and beauty standards). Negative body image can also impact anyone, regardless of who they are or what they look like!

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

frogSenior Contributor28 Sept 2021, 7:28 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Hi @Shaz51 @RedHorse good to see you!

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

cloudcoreSenior Contributor28 Sept 2021, 7:28 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Hi @Shaz51 and @frog , thank you for joining us tonight!

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

BPDSurvivorSenior Contributor28 Sept 2021, 7:29 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Body Image and Eating Disorders // Tues 28th September, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Awww @RedHorse ,

I'm sorry to hear you had such little support. I hope things change for you. With education and awareness comes support.

BPDSurvivor

Hi @cloudcore @Shaz51 @frog @BlueBay @Daisydreamer

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SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.

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Aboriginal flag

Torres Strait Islander flag

Transgender flag

SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.

SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.