Category: Uncategorised

advocacy Autism and anorexia – the difference a diagnosis makes

Autism and anorexia – the difference a diagnosis makes

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If I had not realised I am Autistic and received an official diagnosis, I would likely be dead – “or worse, expelled!” My anorexia nervosa was fuelled by a deep and desperate yearning to be thin. This yearning was partially driven by knowing that, in our fat-phobic society, being thin...

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advocacy My body wanted me to be its friend

My body wanted me to be its friend

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Sometimes, I dislike my body even though I consider myself in recovery from an eating disorder. If I were to wait until I felt at peace with every part of my body before calling myself recovered, recovery would never happen. I don’t say that to be pessimistic; I say that...

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advocacy My first pregnancy was going beautifully…until it wasn’t

My first pregnancy was going beautifully…until it wasn’t

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My first pregnancy was going beautifully…until it wasn’t. We were doing things in the traditional order: we married, bought our first house and, after nearly a year of trying, were expecting our first child. I was ecstatic. I had always looked forward to being a mother. After years of praying...

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Life Stories Diary Where do I start? Everyone has their own childhood story to untangle

Where do I start? Everyone has their own childhood story to untangle

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Where do I start? I had a very, very weird childhood. Some people have the religious trauma, some have the undiagnosed neurodiversity factors, some have the abusive father factor, some have the poverty angle – I’ve had all that and then some. But I know I need to start dredging through all this....

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advocacy The importance of reframing ‘terminal anorexia nervosa’ as end-of-life care

The importance of reframing ‘terminal anorexia nervosa’ as end-of-life care

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Whether or not to define ‘terminal anorexia nervosa’ is being vigorously debated in the eating disorders field. In an article published in the Journal of Eating Disorders, August 25, 2023 edition, Andrea Phillipou writes: Although I disagree with the terminology of ‘terminal AN’ and believe that establishing criteria has the...

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Life Stories Diary Write your story with self-paced memoir mentoring

Write your story with self-paced memoir mentoring

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Postscript: I apologise if you have received a “Demo!”newsletter  – sigh, I’m  still getting used to the new functionality available on this wonderful new website.  Writing a memoir is rather like running a marathon. Success requires time, dedication, preparation, planning, and perseverance. Between us, I think that holding your own...

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eating disorders Look, listen and write – there are stories in everyday life

Look, listen and write – there are stories in everyday life

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Supermarkets are more than a place to purchase groceries. They are also a place to gather stories. And the extra good news is that these stories, which nourish our soul, are free. The stories won’t be found on shelves. They will be found in the aisles, in many shapes and...

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Dear Diary, I’m moving to www.lifestoriesdiary.com

Recovering and healing from an eating disorder is an ongoing journey. Like life itself, the process can be as fulfilling and rewarding as we choose to make it. Accordingly, I am delighted to announce the time has come for lifestoriesmentor.com.au, my website ‘home’ for the past six years, to transition...

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Our blood counts – 3000 Aussies give blood to help find cure for anorexia nervosa

Blood donations from 3000 Australians and New Zealanders are assisting the journey to find the causes of anorexia nervosa. Well done, Australia and New Zealand! As an ardent supporter of this amazing research led by Professor Cynthia Bulik and her team and was excited today to receive the following letter from leading Australian researcher in...

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A conversation on why listening to the patient’s story counts

The patient’s story counts. Growing recognition of this truth, that the narrative has an important role to play in illness recovery, is heartening. This is  particularly so in the field of eating disorders where many mysteries remain. Listening to the patient can provide the researcher, the clinician, the therapist, the...

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