EATING DISORDERS AWARENESS WEEK 2023
February 27th – March 5th, 2023
‘Breaking the Stigma: Diverse Male Experiences with Eating Disorders and Body Image
Registration is now open for two webinars as part of Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2023
Monday 27th February
‘Learning from the diversity of family experiences’ with Harriet Parsons (Training and Development Manager at Bodywhys) and Dr. Colman Noctor (Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist). Body Why's will launch their new animated short film, exploring Niamh’s experience when her brother Rory developed an eating disorder. Discussions will talk through the themes that are brought up in the animation. The discussion will be followed by a Q&A session, and information will be provided on the steps when supporting someone with an eating disorder.
Limited space is available; Register here.
Tuesday 28th February
‘Body Image: A Male Perspective’. This webinar, hosted by Youth Development Manager – Fiona Flynn, will discuss the unique experiences around eating disorders and body image in boys and men from different backgrounds. Participants will include Barry Hennessy- Limerick Hurler, Conor Nolan – Author and Maeve O’Keeffe – Bodywhys Youth Panel Representative. Limited Space available Register here.
If you or someone you know has an eating disorder, please call the BodyWhys HELPLINE: (01) 2107906
OPENING HOURS*
Monday - 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Tuesday - 10.30 am -12.30 pm
Wednesday - 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Thursday - Closed
Friday - Closed
Saturday -10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Sunday - 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
For information, resources and other means of support, go to https://www.bodywhys.ie/recovery-support-treatment/support-services-2/
What is an Eating Disorder:
In a general sense, eating disorders are experienced as disturbances in eating habits and are accompanied by physical and emotional distress. They lead to a deterioration of physical and psychological well-being and ultimately can cause death. To understand what an eating disorder means for the person experiencing these difficulties, it is more helpful to think of the eating disorder as something that a person has developed to feel that they can cope with their lives and feelings.
However, the more the person relies on the eating disorder to cope, the more they need the eating disorder to cope, and very quickly, they spiral into a situation where they feel they will only be able to cope and live if they hold onto the eating disorder.
The person’s sense of who they become is entrenched in them holding onto the eating disorder and this is why it is so difficult and terrifying for a person to think about letting it go.
Therefore, while it is clear to everyone else that the person is harming his / herself, the only way the person with the eating disorder feels they can survive is by maintaining the eating disorder. See for example, the eating disorder voice.
To acquire a better understanding of symptoms, causes, types and treatment options, please go to Bodywhys | FAQs
There are several support groups and resources available to people experiencing eating disorders and their family members.
Bodywhys | The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland
Bodywhys | BodywhysConnect: Online Chat Support Group (19+)
Bodywhys | Free Pilar Programme for Families
Eating Disorders Programme - St Patrick's Mental Hea... (stpatricks.ie)
To understand Eating Disorders and other Mental Health challenges, listen to The Maudsley Learning Podcast. This is a London-based mental health podcast created by training psychiatrists to provide the general public access to more nuanced conversations around mental health, psychiatric medicine, psychology and psychotherapy.