No Bodies Perfect Winter Newsletter 2012/2013

Scotland’s Charity for Eating Disorders Winter 2012 Newsletter

your voice counts : recovery exists Copyright 2012 by Alexandra O’Brien and No Bodies Perfect © All Rights Reserved.

Looking Back on 2012

By Alexandra O’Brien 2012 has been a very successful year for No Bodies Perfect. With virtually no money and few resources, we have provided support to over 320 people in a face-to-face capacity during weekly support group meetings since May 2010; we have helped 1000s of people all over the UK via our Information Service; provided support to 100s of other people this year via our social activities, other support services, such as our Creative Classes, workshops, presentations and lots more, and many, many more via our newsletter, magazine, forum, and official website. We should be proud of what we have achieved this year - we have helped 1000s of people with eating disorders; supported carers; provided vital information; raised awareness of eating disorders in many ways and have developed the first eating disorders website in Scotland, which has been commended by many (many people have even emailed us and said to us in person that it's the best, most informative and user-friendly eating disorder website in the UK).

We are very happy that so many of you have found the website so valuable and informative. This was my aim when writing it and building it by myself - a website that provides detailed information of as many eating disorders as possible, information about lots of therapies, and lots more - so thank you to everyone who took time out to provide such lovely comments.

Thank you also to those individuals who have bought badges, wristbands and donated via our website and at support group sessions and events.

We need more donations if we are to continue to provide help, support and information regarding eating disorders. Just as the charity BEAT needs money, so do we - we are no less important or valuable, so please think about making donations to us or fundraising in aid of No Bodies Perfect.

We are regulated by OSCR the Scottish charity regulator, have an official Treasurer and an independent auditor, so you know that every penny raised goes to helping eating disorders sufferers. We don't have anywhere near enough money to continue the charity for another year, so without more donations and people doing fundraising in aid of No Bodies Perfect we might

not survive another year, so please think about helping out in this way too.

I just wanted to do a summary of 2012 and express how much we have achieved - winning the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative; receiving publicity in the media; providing presentations; holding exhibitions for the Mental Health Arts and Film Festival; meeting great people; consulting with other organisations and professionals like ourselves; holding fundraising events and being nominated for several awards; to meeting MPs and VIPs, hosting performance events, and helping with Scotland's first eating disorder memorial service. It has been a very busy and innovating year and No Bodies Perfect has, undoubtedly, achieved a huge amount in such a small period of time. We are proud of what we do and know we do it well. Thank you to everyone who has been involved with us this year and helped us to make it happen. I would like to thank those of you who have volunteered with No Bodies Perfect this year so far and for all your hard work: it's greatly appreciated by me. I look forward to working with you next year and building our wee team.

I just wanted to end the year on a positive note, as we have had some difficult times too. However, we sincerely believe in what we do and will continue as far as we can. We have lots of exciting things planned for 2013 and have every intention of securing funding and developing services further and helping and supporting even more people with eating disorders, as well as educating the public and providing essential awareness of eating disorders generally. A few years ago when I still had an eating disorder, and which I had struggled with for over 14 years, I would never in a million years have thought I would have recovered and went on to start my own charity for eating disorders, providing essential support and information to sufferers carers and the public. I had an eating disorder from my teens up until my early 30s and never thought I would get to where I am now. But I did. Now in my mid-30s, I have been there and done that and shown that it is possible to leave the demons and torment of an eating disorder behind and go on to help other people who have struggled like I did. With this is mind, I think the No Bodies Perfect motto says it all:

your voice counts : recovery exists!

Eating Disorders Support Forum for Sufferers and Carers

By Alexandra O’Brien Do you suffer from an eating disorder or problems with food, eating, body image or obsessive exercise? Do you at times feel utterly alone and isolated and wish there was somewhere you could go and others you could turn to? People who, like you, have an eating disorder and know what you are going through?

The No Bodies Perfect Support Forum is a place where you will be supported, helped, encouraged and always be listened to in a friendly, informal and helpful environment.

Eating disorders come in many shapes and forms but they are equally scary and isolating. But this doesn't have to be the case. Our Support Forums can provide support to men and women, over 16 years old, experiencing ANY form of eating disorder or food and eating difficulty.

There is also a Carers Support Forum which welcomes family, friends and carers of someone who has disordered eating habits, and which can provide some support and information for them too. Please read the forum rules before posting.

Through shared personal stories, getting to know other Forum Users and providing support and understanding, the Support Forum and Carers Forum aims to provide alternative or additional support to those affected by eating disorders.

Don't let your eating disorder hold you back and stop you from reaching out. You deserve support, healing, friendship, encouragement and understanding.

The Forum requires sign-up and is free to join. The Forum is regularly moderated by volunteers who have received a Forum Handbook and Guidelines to follow to ensure as safe an environment as possible. The Forum link is:

www.nbp-eating-disorders.co.uk/forum

Cornerstone Present No Bodies Perfect with a Fundraising Cheque!

WHEN: Friday 30th November WHERE: Glasgow A very big thank you to Cornerstone for their cheque for £211.86 given to us today following their annual charity Office Coffee Morning. We are so delighted to have been chosen to receive this donation. It will go a long way in helping us with some running costs. A very lucky day indeed after also winning the YPI Grant!

Kel O’Neill Counselling and Training

Kel O’Neill Counselling and Training: Specialist Interest in Eating Disorders Kel O'Neill Counselling and Training is based in the Ellesmere Port/Chester area (Cheshire, England), and is accessible by much of the North West via nearby train and bus routes. Kel O’Neill offers counselling and training with a special interest in Eating Disorders. Kel strongly believes recovery from Eating Disorders is possible. Get in touch with her today. More details are available on the website: www.counsellingandtraining.co.uk

Eating Disorders 'Kiss Goodbye to Ed' Campaign ©

By Alexandra O’Brien FREE CAMPAIGN POSTERS NOW AVAILABLE TO ORDER Our Eating Disorders Awareness and Fundraising Campaign for 2013 is called ‘Kiss Goodbye to Ed’ ©. We love this idea and it came from the fact that Eating Disorders Awareness Week always falls within the month of February – Valentine’s Month!

We have a Campaign Poster for this campaign that is now available to order for free for anyone who wants a copy/copies to put up on their college/university, school, doctor’s surgery, workplace, clinic, library, social club –anywhere! We want to cover the UK (and anywhere else) with these posters to raise awareness of eating disorders and encourage sufferers and carers to have a voice. Let’s get the word out!

HOW TO GET YOUR FREE CAMPAIGN POSTERS: to order your FREE Campaign Posters, please email us at info@nbp-eating-disorders.co.uk These Campaign Posters will be available throughout 2013 as we anticipate it being a year-long campaign and we would love you to order some to really raise awareness of eating disorders generally during 2013.

Research Request:

Helpful Aspects of Therapy with Clients Experiencing Disordered Eating Triona McInerney is a No Bodies Perfect volun teer, fulfilling the role of Assistant Group Faciltator at some of the support group meetings we offer. She is in her final year as a trainee Counselling Psychologist at the University of Strathclyde/Glasgow Caledonian University. She is conducting doctoral research on what eating disorder sufferers think are/were the helpful aspects of their therapy Triona is interested in hearing from eating disorder sufferers who have sought psychological therapy to help with their eating and food difficulties. She is currently seeking interested participants to share their views and help with her research.

The objective of this research is to gain insight, from the client’s point of view, into the helpful aspects of psychological therapy. This research is very beneficial as the findings will provide valuable information to health professionals and therapists and allow them to improve their practice. They will be able to learn from what previous clients have found helpful and become more aware of the experience of the client seeking help for disordered eating.

The research is looking to focus on females, from 18-65 years old, who have received/are receiving therapeutic help for either: a diagnosis of anorexia; a diagnosis of EDNOS with restrictive food behaviours; or the experience of disordered eating, (without a formal diagnosis) defined as: an irregular pattern of eating behaviour, due to a distorted body image, focused on the restriction of food and with the overall aim of weight reduction, incorporating such weightcontrol behaviours as self-starving and exercising obsessively. It is also neces-

sary that the experience of therapy has been within the last three years and lasted at least 8-12 weeks.

Also this study is not looking at clients who have had an experience of psychological therapy within the NHS. However, if a client has had previous experiences of therapy both within the NHS and in other contexts and is interested in taking part the researcher would focus on the latter. If clients have only had experience within the NHS the research is unable to use this data. If you have only had experience within the NHS the research is unable to use this data but thank you for your interest.

The research consists of a one-off audio recorded interview which will last up to an hour in length. All data collected in relation to the research will be anonymised and kept confidentially and securely until the research has reached completion at which stage it will be securely disposed of. It is entirely your own decision to take part in this research and should you wish to take part at the current time you also have no obligation to continue with the study and may withdraw your data at any time in the future.

This investigation was granted ethical approval by the University of Strathclyde ethics committee.The University of Strathclyde is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office who implements the Data Protection Act 1998. All personal data on participants will be processed in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998.

If you were interested in partaking in the research Triona would arrange a time and location that is convenient for you. At the beginning of the interview she will ask you to sign a consent form indicating that you have been informed of the nature of the study and are happy to contribute. This does not affect your right to withdraw your data at a later date. Should you wish to contact Triona directly, please contact her as follows:

Email: tmcine10@caledonian.ac.uk Telephone: 07731667825

Telephone Information Line The No Bodies Perfect InfoLine will finally be officially launched on Wednesday 20th February 2013. This is a trial scheme and we will operate a Telephone InfoLine one evening a week for 2 hours. This will be an Information Line and not a support line. This means that we cannot provide support but can give you information about, for instance, No Bodies Perfect, our services, support group meetings, other forms of support, signposting, useful links and help-lines and so on. It may also be useful as a first point of contact to those who are thinking about using our services, especially our support group, but are perhaps a bit nervous about coming along. Hearing a voice down the phone from someone who helps manage the services can be very valuable. You may also leave a text message and we can text you back information, or leave your email address if you would like us to reply to you via email.

Our Director, Alexandra O’Brien, has written an extensive InfoLine Handbook for volunteers working on the InfoLine and training and guidance has been provided. You can telephone and ask for any information related to eating disorders and associated issues and we will do our very best to help you.

Again, please note this is not a support line as yet but an information line. We do intend to work towards a support line service, but this will be in the near future in conjunction with another service we are planning. If you want more information about the InfoLine or have any questions, please feel free to contact us at info: nbp-eating-disorders.co.uk

Telephone Number: 078 645 98986 Opening Hours: Wednesday evenings, 7pm – 9pm

Advertising Space As the largest eating disorders charity in Scotland and one of the largest in the UK, it is important that we keep our official information website for eating disorders as up-to-date as possible with all the various services, treatments, support and help that are available for eating disorder sufferers and carers/ family/friends. We are the second most browsed eating disorder charity website in the UK and are used by many in other countries too, especially America, Australia and Canada.

We now offer low-cost advertising for charities, businesses, voluntary groups, independent practitioners and other services offering eating disorder and mental health support, treatment and information!

The Advertising Section on our official national eating disorders website is an ideal place for you to increase awareness of your services and if you have a service to offer, you can advertise it here. Your advert will not only feature on our official website (www.nbp-eating-disorders.co.uk) but in our Quarterly Newsletters which are distributed to 1000s of people affected by eating disorder (sufferers, carers, health professionals, charities and many more); and on our Meetup website (www.meetup.com/nbp-eating-disorders).

Please email us at info@nbp-eating-disorders.co.uk for details on how to advertise.

Eating Disorders and Stereotypes

By Alexandra O’Brien ‘Eating disorders are experienced by young females, in their late teens, and who come from middle-class backgrounds’. This is the description of eating disorders declared by most of the books I have read about eating disorders. And believe me, I have read rather a lot! Of course, this description is completely inaccurate, and probably most of you reading this, will agree. Eating disorders do not discriminate. They creep upon anyone – male or female – of any age or background. Eating disorders don’t care whose life they destroy. The textbooks, therefore, have it all wrong.

Eating disorders are traditionally perceived as a ‘young female illness’. This is still a popular stereotype and only serves to strengthen the reluctance of males and older females to seek support for their eating and food problems. It is important, however, for anyone – male of female – with an eating disorder to seek help as soon as possible. Increasing awareness of eating disorders and challenging stereotypes is one way of encouraging more people to acknowledge their problems, come forward and access any help and support that is available. The more people that do this, the more likely that eating disorders are recognised, stereotypes challenged and stigma reduced.

I think this message is slowly, but surely, making itself known, but there is still a very long way to go, and this is partly due to

the ignorance and distorted picture of eating disorders portrayed by both health professionals and the media, the majority of whom have absolutely no idea of what it is like to be tormented night and day by an eating disorder. I don’t know how many people I have spoken to who say that their GP or therapist seems like a nice person, but that s/he has absolutely no idea of what eating disorders are all about except from what they have read in a dreary and outdated textbook about eating disorders. Sound familiar anyone?

The fact of the matter is this: eating disorders are NOT only experienced by young females, in their teens, who are well-educated and from a middle-class background. Eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, sexuality, education, occupation, religion, culture or ethnicity. This fact is what makes eating disorders so profoundly frightening and puzzling.

The stereotypes surrounding eating disorders is never-ending, and I am sad to say that even medical professionals and some eating disorder ‘specialists’ do not understand eating disorders and still use language such as ‘ you don’t look ill’ or ‘how can you have an eating disorder, you are not slim and you go to work’.

It’s a worrying thought to be honest, that professionals who are supposed to be caring and supporting us when we are having a difficult time still say these things and view sufferers in terms of the outdated and inaccurate stereotypes that even to this day are seen as representative of the eating disorder experience. Just as no one person is the same, no one eating disorder is the same, so why treat them so? Some stereotypes surrounding eating disorders include:

• • •

• •

• •

• • • • •

Eating disorders are a choice.

Eating disorders are uncommon.

Eating disorders are about appearance, beauty and looking a certain way.

Eating disorders only occur in young females.

Eating disorders are caused by the unhealthy body ideals that we see in the media.

Recovery from eating disorders in rare.

People with eating disorders are easy to spot because they are extremely thin.

Anorexia Nervosa is the only serious eating disorder.

A person cannot die from Bulimia Nervosa.

Eating disorders are solely a problem with food.

You’re not sick until you are emaciated.

You can’t suffer from more than one eating disorder at a time.

Not only do these stereotypes influence the perception of health professionals, the media and of the public generally, but they even have sufferers begin to question their eating disorder and the difficulties and problems they are going through. No Bodies Perfect receive lots of enquiries from people asking if they have an eating disorder or if their eating and food behaviours warrant them accessing services or receiving help and support.

One of the best things about No Bodies Perfect is that we never ever discriminate on whether someone has a ‘full-blown’ eating disorder; has been formally diagnosed; or meets certain ‘criteria’.

We welcome anyone – men and women – who feel that their relationship with food and eating is affecting their life in some way.

As far as we are concerned, if your relationship with food and eating is affecting your life in some way – socially, emotionally, psychologically, physically, occupationally etc – and if food is con-

trolling your life in some way, then you deserve help and support with such difficulties.

As far as No Bodies Perfect is concerned, if someone says that they have difficulties with food and eating in some way and that it also affects their life in some way, then they may have an eating disorder and need help and support. Diagnostic criteria, especially for eating disorders, are basically there because there is a lack of resources and the number of people eligible to receive ‘formal’ treatment must therefore be limited in some way. This can be dangerous as perhaps a ‘controllable’ range of behaviours can very easily turn into a very serious illness with devastating consequences. Not only that, but they serve to perpetuate and maintain the stereotypes linked with eating disorders.

Eating disorders are not a ‘diet’. Eating disorders are a mental health illness that can impact upon all areas of the sufferer’s life and have negative, often life-threatening consequences. They are characterised by having a difficult, negative or dysfunctional relationship with food and eating. Eating disorders are not about beauty, appearance or looking a certain way. In fact, they have little to do with food, but lots to do with gaining control and finding a way of coping with life. Control of eating and food provides a way of also coping with often painful, difficult or distressful thoughts, emotions, experiences or memories, by blocking them out, denying them, or dealing with them via one’s relationship with food and eating. For those with eating disorders, life seems easier to manage through the control of food.

People can look ‘normal’ and be of a ‘normal’ weight but are, underneath, very ill and debilitated by their eating disordered thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Most people with an eating disorder do

not fit into a specific category. We are all different and this is a stereotype that is often portrayed by members of the medical profession and the media, which must be challenged.

Neither are eating disorders about food. They are about experiencing and coping with difficult or painful feelings and emotions.

Often we cannot deal with these emotions. They may be too painful, overwhelming, confusing or we may not like what the emotions are trying to signal to us. We might try to numb the feelings; ignore them; hide them; deny them or even try to forget about them. We can only do this for so long – eventually we have to face the feelings and emotions. Eating disorders can often develop in response to what is going on inside of us. We can use food, eating, weight and exercise as a way of dealing with these powerful feelings and emotions. It may seem like a way of coping with life at the time, but it is a way of coping that will, ultimately, hurt you.

Increasing awareness of eating disorders and challenging stereotypes is one way of encouraging more people to acknowledge their problems, come forward and access any help and support that is available. The more people that do this, the more likely eating disorders will be recognised and diagnosed by health professionals. Only then can we begin to develop more specialised services specifically for sufferers. It is vital to start working towards understanding the unique challenges and experiences that eating disorder sufferers’ face and tailor help and support specifically individual people, not generalised stereotypes. Undoubtedly, however, with increased awareness comes increased specialised treatment and training for eating disorders, which, currently, seems very scarce in Scotland.

Speckled Computing, Eating Disorders and Relationships Project

By Alexandra O’Brien WHEN: Monday 3rd December WHERE: Glasgow city centre I attended a meeting on Monday 3rd December to consult on a project between all the art schools in Scotland (ECA in Edinburgh, Gray´s in Aberdeen, DJCAD in Dundee and Glasgow School of Art in Glasgow) as well as the Centre for Speckled Computing at the University of Edinburgh.

The project is looking at new applications for Speckled Computing and this project will be focusing on people suffering from eating disorders and how they understand their relationships, both with themselves and others.

This is a one year long project culminating with an exhibition in June 2013 in Edinburgh and the production of a working prototype of a device we will develop based on research and feedback from me and No Bodies Perfect.

It was a very interesting meeting and it was great to hear about other areas of research that are looking at eating disorders too!

Volunteering Placements and Opportunities

By Alexandra O’Brien No Bodies Perfect is now looking for more volunteers to join the team due to our expanding services and increased presence in the field of eating disorders and charity work.

WHAT ROLES DO WE HAVE? We are currently looking for the following (due to one person leaving and expanding our Fundraising Team and Community Development Team): • Assistant Project Manager (Fundraising and Events Team).

• Assistant Project Manager (Eating Disorder Community Development and Outreach Team).

• Fundraising and Events Assistants (several positions available).

• Eating Disorders Community Development and Outreach Assistants (several positions available).

• Trustees for the Committee Board (we are looking for people from all walks of life with various skills and experience – you do not have to have had any experience with eating disorders).

• Writers and Bloggers (for newsletters and blogs, can be based any where).

• Self-Help Mentors (if you have had experience of an eating disorder, you must be recovered for at least 2 years).

• We are also looking for Patrons to represent the charity, champion and support the charity and be a public face for the charity.

We ask volunteers to commit approximately 3 hours per week for approximately 30-40 weeks of the year, and to volunteer for at least one year to ensure consistency within the charity and to ensure you work towards your certificates.

BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING • • • • • • • • •

References (after several months of regular volunteering) Volunteer Certificates (bronze, silver and gold) Volunteer Awards Regular Volunteer Raffle Opportunities for free or subsidised training Networking opportunities Meet new people/make new friends Valuable experience in the field of eating disorders Provide vital support, information and awareness of eating disorders

in Scotland and across the UK • Develop new skills and new knowledge • Opportunity to attend eating disorder conferences and events • Be part of a friendly, fun team of volunteers • New experiences • Opportunities to participate in other tasks within the charity, such as

newsletter writing, events and publicity, decision-making and lots more • Lots of opportunities to implement your own ideas, use your initiative,

imagination and creativity • Opportunities for promotion/management roles for the right volun teers If interested in applying, please email us at info@nbp-eating-disorders. co.uk for an Application Form and Role Description. We will meet with you for an informal interview soon after that and offer successful candidates volunteering roles, which they will start formally soon after your interview.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to get in touch and we will reply as soon as possible.

No Bodies Perfect Wins the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative Grant 2012/2013!

By Alexandra O’Brien WHEN: Friday 30th November 2012 WHERE: Bishopbriggs Academy, Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire Woohoo!! WE WON!! No Bodies Perfect won the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative grant (funded by the Woods Trust). We beat some top charities and good presentations, but Emma, Claire, Lorna, Rachel and Adam, 6th year pupils at Bishopbriggs Academy worked very hard over the past few months to develop their presentation. Their film at the start of the presentation actually had people in tears - it was so moving and emotional.

I am so extremely proud of them and for their victory against a great number of other high school pupils representing other charities. They did a fantastic job and we will stay in touch with them and present some thank you gifts for their dedication and passion for the No Bodies Perfect charity.

A lovely afternoon with many great presentations, fantastic live music, meeting new people, refreshments, working with such an amazing group of young adults and, of course, winning the grant. We will be presented with it in June (end of the academic year) and I have been invited to a celebratory evening event in June up in Perth, Scotland.

I am extremely proud of Emma, Claire, Lorna, Rachel and Adam of Bishopbriggs Academy. Well done guys! Fantastic work and thank you soooooo much for doing your project on No Bodies Perfect and giving us this fantastic chance and the much-needed grant. Makes me very proud of my charity!

No Bodies Perfect Services • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Eating Disorder Support Group Sessions (weekly) Eating Disorders Information Website Eating Disorders Community Support Website Eating Disorders Community Development Team Information Service Recovery Representatives Team Eating Disorders Support Forum for Sufferers and Carers Online Support The Voice (Eating Disorder Support Magazine) Newsletters Training Courses (such as Understanding Eating Disorders 1) Consultations and Partnership Working One-to-one Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Counselling Student Eating Disorder Group No Bodies Perfect Lending Library Eating Disorders Book Club Coffee and Chat Club Arts and Creative Classes Workshops Stress Management and Relaxation Classes Telephone InfoLine Fundraising and Events Volunteering and Placement Opportunities

Brave Scottish Women Reveal their Personal Struggle with an Eating Disorder, their Experiences of No Bodies Perfect and Challenging Eating Disorder Stereotypes

By Alexandra O’Brien No Bodies Perfect and two of the people who use our services spoke to the Daily Record newspaper in late December about how eating disorders are typically stereotyped by health professionals, the media and the general public at large. This was an innovative article which raised awareness of stereotypes and that showed that it's definitely NOT only young, middle class girls who get eating disorders!! No glamorisation or sensationalism was involved which was great and in sharp contrast to most of articles about eating disorders in today’s media.

Read about breaking eating disorder stereotypes and two very brave and inspirational women’s struggle with an eating disorder in the leading newspaper, the Daily Record. Two young women from Glasgow open up to break the stereotypes most people associate with the term 'eating disorder' and both insist they just want people to listen to them. No Bodies Perfect also gave a few words to journalist Karen Bale for the article.

Both women are begging the public to listen to them. They have been helped

by Scottish Charity, No Bodies Perfect and, thanks to weekly support meetings, are both recovering. Alexandra O’Brien, founder and director of No Bodies Perfect, said: "Eating disorders do not discriminate, they creep up on anyone. Eating disorders don’t care whose life they destroy....it is important for anyone, male or female, with an eating disorder to seek help". You can read the article here: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/real-life/brave-scots-women-revealtheir-personal-1493689

NEW! No Bodies Perfect Blogger Blog The No Bodies Perfect Blog is another way in which you can keep up-to-date with us, catch up on news, express your thoughts and opinions, discuss ideas and topics, share links and information , keep in touch with No Bodies Perfect and lots more . Feel free to post your thoughts and ideas - we want to know what you think! Please know that the Blog will be moderated and any posts deemed unsuitable will be removed . We want to create more discussion about eating disorders as well as provide another outlet in which you can express your thoughts and ideas through discussion and debate . We look forward to reading your posts as well as getting feedback on anything we post. Our Blogger is: http://nobodiesperfecteatingdisorders.blogspot.co.uk/

FOCUS ON....

Chew and Spit Disorder

By Alexandra O’Brien Chew and Spit Disorder is not a new form of eating disorder by any means. In fact, many of those who suffer from the more well-known eating disorders, such as Anorexia and Bulimia often find that they also experience Chew and Spit Disorder. Nevertheless, it should be noted that some people do experience Chew and Spit Disorder but not necessarily other forms of eating disorder. This is why it is important to consider Chew and Spit Disorder in its own right.

Like other eating disorders, such as Diabulimia, Chew and Spit Disorder does not feature in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders. That is not to say that it is not an eating disorder, but that it is eating disordered behaviour that is just starting to be more widely recognised and acknowledged. One reason for this is that many of the behaviours associated with Chew and Spit Disorder are very secretive and not often openly discussed by sufferers who may not see it as a problem.

Chew and Spit Disorder is literally what it says: it involves the person chewing food, enjoying the taste and texture, and then spitting it out, instead of swallowing it. There is a lot of shame surrounding this behaviour, especially as sufferers often feel that other people will not understand what they are doing. This is one of the reasons why many people do not disclose this behaviour: they often feel ashamed and alone.

However, they are not alone and need not feel ashamed, as many more people struggle with Chew and Spit Disorder that we once thought. If more people opened up and came forward about this form of eating behaviour then Chew and Spit Disorder could more adequately be addressed by health professionals and suitable help and support made available.

As mentioned, Chew and Spit Disorder literally involves chewing food, then spitting it out. The amount of food chewed, then spat out, can vary from relatively small amounts to large amounts, which can often cost the sufferer a considerable amount of money to purchase. The type of food chewed also varies and may involve combinations of food that do not necessarily complement one another, or food that is seen as ‘bad’ or ‘forbidden’.

Such behaviour can start off innocently enough and on a small scale.

However, it can develop into a serious addiction or habit that can be difficult to challenge. Like many other eating disorders, Chew and Spit Disorder is not typically about the food consumed and the eating involved. It can develop out of a need for control, which is why the behaviours can develop into serious habits or addictions. It can be a way of coping – usually with feelings and emotions – and can help the sufferer deal with such. These behaviours can seem safe and comforting and may help the sufferer to numb feelings and emotions and keep them in control. Chew and Spit Disorder may, therefore, be seen as a coping mechanism.

However, as with individuals experiencing other forms of eating disorder, such as Anorexia or Bulimia, those with Chew and Spit Disorder may also find that their behaviours serve as a way of coping with cravings, which can often be physical, rather than psychological, in nature, given the poor nutrition of most people experiencing eating disorders.

Chew and Spit behaviours may provide individuals with a way of getting satisfaction from the taste and texture of food without worrying about calorific intake or the thought of engaging in self-induced vomiting or other forms of purging.

Many people with Chew and Spit Disorder do not feel that it is par ticularly serious or harmful. However, there are many damaging consequences associated with this form of behaviour. This is why it is important that health professionals acknowledge Chew and Spit Disorder and sufferers seek help and support as soon as they can to deal with their symptoms. Some of the damaging consequences associated with Chew and Spit Disorder include the following: • Can lead to malnutrition and food deprivation since the food being chewed is spat out and rarely eaten and swallowed. This means the individual does not receive any nutritional value from the food. In this respect, it is, therefore, similar to food restriction, starvation and purging by vomiting.

• The actual process of ‘chewing’ and then ‘spitting’ can evoke negative feelings, such as guilt, shame, anxiety, low mood and much more.

This may, in turn, initiate further eating disordered behaviour in an attempt to cope with these negative thoughts and feelings.

• Can lead to stomach ulcers. You can see and smell the food, and the body thinks the food is going to be consumed. The body then produces stomach acid in preparation of the food, anticipating the food actually being swallowed and digested. However, the sufferer spits out the food rather than swallows it. This means that there is an excess of

acid and digestive enzymes left in the stomach. This can, over time, lead to stomach ulcers. The above process can also pave the way for the development of diabetes, as noted below.

• In anticipation of the food (which is seen and smelt but not swallowed) the body releases salivary enzymes, stomach acid and digestive enzymes in preparation for the food. This also triggers the release of insulin. However, over time, this can cause the individual to fall into a state of hyperinsulinemia, meaning that too much insulin is produced.

This happens because the body does not receive the food that it had prepared for. Over time, and with repeated Chew and Spit behaviour, the body produces too much insulin which may initiate insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and eventually diabetes.

• The process above can also make weight gain, rather than weight loss, more likely. Repeated Chew and Spit behaviour and the dysregulation of insulin can increase the sufferer’s appetite, making them hungrier, more often. This may cause them to engage in even more Spit and Chew behaviour, increased hunger and the vicious cycle starts again, with the sufferer becoming increasingly likely to engage in bingeing behaviour in an attempt to satisfy their hunger.

• Chew and Spit Disorder can also lead to mouth ulcers and cause damage to teeth. This is especially so when it involves sugary foods. This is because the quantities of sugar remaining in the mouth are larger than if the food was actually eaten properly and swallowed. This excess sugar can rot the teeth and cause mouth ulcers, both of which can be very painful.

• Chew and Spit Disorder can also cause swollen glands. This is caused by repeated spitting out.

d E o T e y b d o o G s Kis n g i a p m a C

The

©

By Alexandra O’Brien WHEN: Competition opens on Friday 14th December 2012 and closing date is on Friday 1st February 2013.

WHERE: UK and world-wide (we want everyone to get involved!).

The No Bodies Perfect Eating Disorders Awareness and Fundraising Campaign for 2013 is called 'Kiss Goodbye to Ed' ©. We love this idea and it came from the fact that Eating Disorders Awareness Week always falls within the month of February – Valentine's Month!

We have a Campaign poster for this campaign that will be available to order for free soon for anyone who wants a copy to put up on their college/university, school, doctor's surgery, workplace, clinic, library, social club – anywhere – we want to cover the UK with these posters.

Email us for the poster and we will send them in the post! The posters are bound to get attention and highlight eating disorders. Let's get the word out!

Our 'Kiss Goodbye to Ed' © Campaign will officially start in 2013 but we are launching our Poster Competition on Friday 14th December, with plenty of time for everyone to get their posters submitted.

This involves designing your own poster based around the campaign theme, 'Kiss Goodbye to Ed' ©. The aim of the competition is to raise awareness of eating disorders generally and hopefully encourage people to seek support for their eating disorder. The competition opens

on Friday 14th December and closes on Friday 1st February 2013. The winning poster will be declared at the 'Understanding Eating Disorders' training course held by No Bodies Perfect during Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2013. The winner will receive a prize, a winner's Certificate and the winning poster will feature in a future eating disorder campaign.

The whole month of February will be dedicated to the 'Kiss Goodbye to Ed' © Campaign given February is Valentine's month and the month of EDAW 2013 which seem like a good link with each other. The campaign will also involve getting people (men, women and children) to take photos of only their lips wearing their lipstick of choice, expressing the 'Kiss Goodbye to Ed' © Campaign. We would love you to email, Facebook, or text us your pictures which will form our Gallery for the campaign. The most original and imaginative ‘lips’ photo will also win a prize, a winner’s Certificate and feature in future campaigns.

COMPETITION RULES: Participants must be over 16 years of age. Anyone can enter the competition – you don't need to have an eating disorder. All entries should be submitted by Friday 1st February and the winners will be declared during Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2013. All poster entries must be original work and be A4 printing size.

'Lips' photographs can be emailed, texted or send via Facebook.

Our email address is info@nbp-eating-disorders.co.uk and our Facebook is No Bodies Perfect. You can also text us 'lips' photographs to our new mobile number which will be available in January 2013 (email for details). We can also accept posters and photographs at our weekly support group meetings, other events and meetings or alternative submission can be arranged upon request. Posters must be emailed to us or submitted in person or by post so they can be printed off.

For more information or if you have any questions, feel free to email us at: info@nbp-eating-disorders.co.uk

No Bodies Perfect to offer One-to-One Counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy

By Alexandra O’Brien Thanks to the Director, Alexandra O’Brien, No Bodies Perfect will begin offering one-to-one counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy after February 2013. Alexandra, who has a background in psychology, mental health and trained in other forms of therapy and counselling will offer free therapy sessions as part of her placement as a trainee psychotherapist at the Glasgow Cognitive Therapy Centre (GCTC). The course and training centre are both professionally accredited and Alexandra will receive regular supervision from her experienced supervisor and will hold professional indemnity insurance. Alexandra will practice as a trainee psychotherapist following the guidelines set by governing bodies such as COSCA, BACP and BABCP to ensure professional and ethical practice as a trainee psychotherapist specialising in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

Free sessions will be offered to those who have used the services of No Bodies Perfect and will be held in Glasgow city centre, in therapy rooms hired by Alexandra at the Glasgow Cognitive Therapy Centre.

Therapy sessions may be weekly, fortnightly or monthly depending on the individual and the issues presented.

Alexandra is happy to provide therapy sessions to those experiencing eating disorders and also to anyone else who may benefit, such as

carers and family members of someone with an eating disorder.

Alexandra also hopes to extend this invitation to anyone else who feels they would benefit from free Cognitive Behaviour Therapy i.e. individuals experiencing difficulties other than eating disorders – this may include depression, stress, anxiety, and lots more. So please also get in touch to enquire about free counselling even if you do not have an eating disorder.

Sessions will not be available at weekends, but at various set times during weekdays and in the evenings. Therapy sessions last approximately 50 minutes – 1 hour and will be recorded using a Dictaphone that will be listened to only by Alexandra and her supervisor for training purposes. Privacy and confidentiality will be respected at all times and anyone wishing to receive therapy will be asked to sign a confidentiality form before starting therapy to ensure they are aware that anything they say or anything recorded will remain confidential.

Alexandra will be closely and regularly supervised and be required to meet with her supervisor on a regular basis.

Interested? Please email Alexandra on her No Bodies Perfect email address info@nbp-eating-disorders.co.uk or on her private email address alexalexa12@yahoo.co.uk if you have any questions, require any further information or are interested in putting your name on the waiting list for free counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. If you have any questions about the Glasgow Cognitive Therapy Centre or wish to confirm Alexandra’s place on the course and her role as a trainee psychotherapist at the Centre, please contact Hilda at the GCTC: hilda@thegctc.com

'UNDERSTANDING EATING DISORDERS 1' TRAINING COURSE WHEN: Wednesday 13th February, 1pm-4.30pm (half-day) WHERE: Glasgow Cognitve Therapy Centre, Glasgow city centre No Bodies Perfect will be delivering their half-day 'Understanding Eating Disorders 1' training course (we are also in the process of applying for CPD accreditation for this course). Delegates will receive Award Certificates for this course. The course will cover various themes, including: eating disorder myths and stereotypes; male eating disorders; types of eating disorders; recovery; personal stories form Recovery Representatives; eating disorders in older people; what are eating disorders and lots more. The course will be both educative, interactive and social, and will include film, drama, groupwork, as well as traditional presentation and forms of learning. There are 20 free places available to those interested in learning more about eating disorders, including health professionals, carers, charities, universities/colleges, students, support workers, and anyone else with an interest. Please note that there course is not for individuals experiencing an eating disorder as it aims to educate and encourage learning in those who do not know a lot about eating disorders but wish to learn more.

The course will be presented by No Bodies Perfect Director, Alexandra O'Brien, who has lots of experience in eating disorders, including former personal experience (14 years history of an eating disorder from teens to early 30s), as a carer, during her psychology background (undergraduate and postgraduate), as a psychology researcher at postgraduate level, as an experienced support group facilitator, as an accredited stress management counsellor and clinical hypnotherapist

and in her current training as a cognitive behavioural psychotherapist and counsellor and of course, as a charity director. She will be supported by some volunteers from the No Bodies Perfect team who also have eating disorder experience in various capacities, as well as support from some Recovery Representatives, and a film about eating disorders, which recently won first prize by the Woods Trust, for the international Youth and Philanthropy Initiative and won a grant for No Bodies Perfect.

If you are interested in booking a place on the course, please contact us at info@nbp-eating-disorders.co.uk no later than Friday 1st February 2013. To confirm your place we will send you a short Booking Form to complete.

This is a free course and we have limited it to only 20 places, so please ensure you get in contact with us as soon as possible if you want a place. Our next course will not be free so grab a free place while you can!

Eating Disorders Awareness Week

2013

By Alexandra O’Brien Well it's that time of year again and Eating Disorders Awareness Week (11th - 17th February) is now upon us. No Bodies Perfect have been busy planning lots of events and tasks to raise awareness of eating disorders during the week and to encourage more people to come forward and seek help and support for their eating disorder. This is one of our busiest times of the year and it’s exciting to plan and get involved in so many things. This year’s week will be jam-packed full of things to do and get involved with and we hope as many of you as possible join us to raise awareness of eating disorders and help more people to come forward and receive the help, support and treatment that they deserve.

Our schedule for Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2013 includes: • Monday 11th February: Eating Disorders Support Group Meeting. Start of our ‘When Words Don’t Work Exhibition’ in the Mitchell Library. Distributing and displaying ‘Kiss Goodbye to Ed’ Posters.

We will be taking photographs of ‘lips’ as part of our ‘Kiss Goodbye to Ed’ Campaign, as well as wearing red clothing and carrying pink and red balloons the shape of lips. We will also be handing out leaflets and the ‘Kiss Goodbye to Ed’ Posters for people to put up

in their school, college, workplace, hospital, library, community centre and so on. It’s also a great way of raising money, as well as meeting new people, getting to know people better, seeing the sights of the city and raising awareness of eating disorders generally.

• Tuesday 12th February: The Body Shop Pamper-Me Fundraising Evening in Glasgow city centre. ‘When Words Don't Work Exhibition' in the Mitchell Library. Distributing and displaying ‘Kiss Goodbye to Ed’ Posters. ‘When Words Don’t Work Exhibition’ in the Mitchell Library. Distributing and displaying ‘Kiss Goodbye to Ed’ Posters.

• Wednesday 13th February: We are delivering our half-day ‘Understanding Eating Disorders 1’ training course (we are also in the process of applying for CPD accreditation for this course). Delegates will receive Award Certificates for this course. The course takes place in Glasgow city centre, 1-4.30pm and 20 places are available to those interested in learning more about eating disorders, including health professionals, carers, charities, universities/colleges, students, support workers, and anyone else with an interest. No Bodies Perfect will sign the ‘See Me’ Pledge at the end of the training session.

Distributing and displaying ‘Kiss Goodbye to Ed’ Posters. No Bodies Perfect Book Club in the evening.

• Thursday 14th February: ‘When Words Don’t Work’ Exhibition in the Mitchell Library. Distributing and displaying ‘Kiss Goodbye to Ed’ Posters. Distributing and displaying ‘Kiss Goodbye to Ed’ Posters.

Start of No Bodies Perfect Volunteer Recruitment Campaign. Visiting mental health charities and resource centres in Glasgow with campaign posters.

• Friday 15th February: Distributing and displaying ‘Kiss Goodbye to Ed’ Posters. Winner of ‘Kiss Goodbye to Ed’ Poster Competition announced. ‘When Words Don’t Work’ Exhibition until Sunday 17th February.

• Week-long Events: Fundraising Prize Raffle; Online Fundraising Appeal – ‘Kiss Goodbye to £1’; 'When Words Don't Work Exhibition'; distributing and displaying 'Kiss Goodbye to Ed' Campaign Posters UK wide; regular blogs, updates and recovery tips on Facebook and our new Blogger blog; posting all your 'lips' photos - we want you to send or upload them to us for the gallery; some Boots stores have agreed to have our fundraising cans, charity wristbands and pin badges in their stores to raise money for eating disorders.

If you would like to do something for Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2014 or have anything you want us to help you plan during the year, please let us know so we can start planning. Similarly, if you have an idea you would like us to do, want to get involved in our events, can offer prizes for the raffle, or anything for our fundraising or awareness events , or offer any other goodies or help, services or products that will benefit us please get in touch.

We really want to make this a great Eating Disorders Awareness Week, not only to raise awareness of eating disorders, and raise funds to help people with eating disorders, but to instil hope and show others that recovery is possible. Remember the No Bodies Perfect motto:

your voice counts : recovery exists

Research Request

The Transition between Anorexia and Bulimia

Thanks for taking the time to read this. My name is Emily Young and I’m currently undertaking a research project investigating the transition between anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. At the moment, anorexia and bulimia are recognised as different disorders. However, people can change from one disorder to another. Very little is known about these transitions and why they occur. In order to provide the right support, I feel it is extremely important that professionals are aware of why these transitions might occur, how they make people feel and what it means to the individual.

• Have you ever changed eating disorder (from anorexia to bulimia or vice versa)?

• Would you like to discuss your experiences as part of a research pro ject?

• Are over 18 years old • Are English speakers • Had anorexia for at least 2 months before/after bulimia for at least 2 months.

Participation would involve one telephone interview lasting about 30-40 minutes. I hope to publish the results in a peer-reviewed journal but your details and information will be kept strictly anonymous and confidential. If you would like to be involved or are unsure and would like further information please contact me on the number or email address below. Many thanks for your time.

Emily Young University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS Telephone: 07908822316 Email: 11235768@students.lincoln.ac.uk