A Backstabbing Friend? Eating Disorders in Midlife with Nicole Christina

An Elegant Solution or a Backstabbing Friend? | Exploring Eating Disorders in Midlife with Nicole Christina, LCSW

Eating Disorders are mental health conditions that affect people of all ages. In this podcast, Nicole Christina discusses the unique conditions under which Eating Disorders affect women in midlife. Nicole is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in upstate New York who has worked with individuals who struggle with Eating Disorders for over 30 years. She also has a podcast called “Zestful Aging.” In this podcast, Nicole shares her knowledge about how Eating Disorders affect women in midlife, and offers some tools and resources for prevention and recovery.

Intro

Nicole introduces herself and talks about her professional experience treating individuals who struggle with Eating Disorders, and how she became interested in working with women in midlife who struggle with Eating Disorders.

Eating Disorder Discussion

What are some of the signs that someone could be struggling with an Eating Disorder in Midlife?

1. Changes in situations and in body (Body, aging parents, empty nest, grey divorce and mortality awareness)

2. Menopause – Changes in physical body

3. Social Influences and Life Domains

4. Social Media (Beauty Standards, Instant Information and Feedback from others)

5. Control, when life seems chaotic

6. Reinforcers

7. Children, especially Daughters

Awareness: What can we do recognize and help people who could have an Eating Disorder in midlife?

• The starved brain

• Positive comments may reinforce harmful eating behaviors

• Spotting inaccurate thinking

• Social media and “Super Agers”

Solutions: What can we do?

• Focus on how well you live, and the quality of your life

• Notice how much you obsess….and choose not to do it

• Know who you are and embrace it

• Being in Relationship with others and yourself

• Being connected with others and yourself at any level

• Lower your stress

The upcoming Holiday Season: Resources to help those who are struggling with eating in midlife

o “It’s one Day

o Continue to check in with yourself

o Stay Mindful

o Enjoy Yourself

o Enjoy the Food

o Practice Intuitive Eating

o Eat like a Normal Day

o Focus on the connection

o Focus on what you have to offer, rather than how much you eat, what you look like or what you weigh

o “You have so much to offer… The world needs your contributions!

Resources

a. Nicole’s Website https://zestfulaging.com/

b. Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZestfulAgingPodcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zestfulaging/ or @zestfulaging

c. “Fat is a Feminine Issue” https://openlibrary.org/works/OL508163W/Fat_is_a_feminist_issue

d. “Intuitive Eating” https://www.intuitiveeating.org/

e. Tracy’s Calming the Chaos Podcast Interviews about Eating Disorders:

i. From Chaos to Disorder with Dr. Anita Johnston https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxQIL4DzGF4&t=9s

ii. Myths and Facts about Eating Disorders with Stacy Schilter-Pisano https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHYVKDWLFPg

iii. Eating Disorders and the Holidays with Stacy Schilter-Pisano https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wt2sPxb_74

iv. Transcending Weight Bais with Amelia Meacham https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOUF-MXunnQ

v. Therapists who had Disordered Eating with Maria Rippo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coXD56metzI

vi. Mindful Eating with Tracy Kenela (solo Episode) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqjBQVwVFL4

vii. Therapists who are afraid of Treating Eating Disorders with Katie Lear https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUpqqzRIrOQ

viii. Helping the Hangry – Part I with Katie Hart https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sz8Ad_Foww

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