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.IntroNicole 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 DiscussionWhat 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 body3. Social Influences and Life Domains4. Social Media (Beauty Standards, Instant Information and Feedback from others)5. Control, when life seems chaotic6. Reinforcers 7. Children, especially DaughtersAwareness: 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 stressThe upcoming Holiday Season: Resources to help those who are struggling with eating in midlifeo “It’s one Dayo Continue to check in with yourselfo Stay Mindfulo Enjoy Yourselfo Enjoy the Foodo Practice Intuitive Eatingo Eat like a Normal Dayo Focus on the connectiono Focus on what you have to offer, rather than how much you eat, what you look like or what you weigho “You have so much to offer… The world needs your contributions!Resourcesa. Nicole’s Website https://zestfulaging.com/b. Social Media LinksFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZestfulAgingPodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zestfulaging/ or @zestfulagingc. “Fat is a Feminine Issue” https://openlibrary.org/works/OL508163W/Fat_is_a_feminist_issued. “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=9sii. Myths and Facts about Eating Disorders with Stacy Schilter-Pisano https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHYVKDWLFPgiii. Eating Disorders and the Holidays with Stacy Schilter-Pisano https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wt2sPxb_74iv. Transcending Weight Bais with Amelia Meacham https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOUF-MXunnQv. Therapists who had Disordered Eating with Maria Rippo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coXD56metzIvi. Mindful Eating with Tracy Kenela (solo Episode) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqjBQVwVFL4vii. Therapists who are afraid of Treating Eating Disorders with Katie Lear https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUpqqzRIrOQviii. Helping the Hangry – Part I with Katie Hart https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sz8Ad_Fowwix....