Weighing in on Eating Disorder Issues: Rebellion as a Key Tool in Recovery by Haley Schiek

The Eating Disorder Journal (November 2024, Vol. 25, Issue 11, No. 220)

As Jiddu Krishnamurti, the Indian philosopher, declared, “It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” It is my job as an eating disorder recovery coach to help clients learn to confront these destructive cultural norms & redefine health on their own terms.

Many clients grapple with intense guilt and shame, often creating self-critical narratives such as “Why are people looking at me? They must think I look stupid or fat.” Such negative narratives are often a sign that a client has internalized unhealthy, but culturally normalized beliefs about body size, shame, and the source of self worth. It is important to to confront these beliefs and the emotions that cause, as difficult emotions can drive disordered behaviors, such as self-isolation and binge eating, perpetuating a cycle of self-criticism, perfectionism, and shame.

Eating disorder recovery requires helping people develop an inherently rebellious approach by challenging a culture that normalizes fat phobia, extols thinness at all costs, and encourages restrictive eating, binge drinking, people pleasing, and workaholism.

By incorporating spiritual concepts like non-permanence, non-duality, and nonviolence, clients learn to view themselves beyond their physical bodies, as multidimensional beings who deserve to be treated with respect and care.

• Non-permanence teaches that just as emotions and situations are temporary, so is one’s body shape and size; this reduces the tendency to cling to harmful thoughts and behaviors.
• Non-duality also helps clients understand that good and bad are made-up concepts. Everything just is. This helps to overcome perfectionism and black-and-white thinking, which drives disordered behaviors.
• Nonviolence encourages gentle self-treatment, breaking the cycle of self-criticism and harsh judgment.

Yoga also inspires a spiritual connection, helping clients disentangle their identities from the physical realm to see themselves as “more than just a body.” Yoga plays a crucial role in regulating the nervous system and one’s emotions without relying on food as a coping mechanism. By practicing yoga, clients learn to manage stress and anxiety through breath work, movement, and mindfulness.

Another tool in recovery is body neutrality, shifting the focus from appearance to overall well-being. This also helps clients move past relentless scrutiny of their physical form, fostering a balanced and accepting relationship with their bodies. The outcome of this integrative approach is not only overcoming eating disorders but also empowering clients to lead fulfilling lives free from the constant battle with their bodies and minds.

Haley Schiek is an Eating Disorder Recovery Coach specializing in psycho-spiritual wellness and holistic recovery practices. Visit her at www.cosanacoaching.com.

Interview from EDReferral.com