Two Queer Perspectives on Eating Disorder Recovery with thirdwheelED

In this episode, I am joined by Jamie (OJ) Bushell (they/them/theirs) and Jamie Dannenberg, MS, RDN, LDN (she/they), co-creators of thirdwheelED, a social media advocacy platform that strives to increase the visibility of how eating disorders and other mental illnesses disproportionately impact LGBTQIA+ communities as well as raise awareness of nontraditional caregivers who support folks in ED recovery. In addition, thirdwheelED offers clinical trainings on how to cultivate affirming eating disorder treatment for LGBTQIA+ communities, as well as editorial services for eating disorder and mental health professionals.

Topics Discussed:

• How a lack of queer recovery stories can heighten and further isolate people.

• The harm caused when treatment providers see clients through a strictly heterosexual lens.

• The advances that individual practitioners are making towards care in the LGBTQIA+ community versus the stagnation of large institutions in supporting the same community.

• How a lack of resources and direction for caregivers is detrimental for both the client and caregiver.

• The ways in which gender dysphoria may increase in the recovery process and how connection to one's values can aid in these challenges.

• How gender affirming options can only be pursued in those in a “healthy body,” not an eating disordered body.

• Overcoming system shortcomings (i.e. requiring permission for gender affirming procedures) and contradictions (i.e. only certain bodies can receive gender affirming procedures) to develop a sense of autonomy in the recovery process.

About thirdwheelED:

ThirdwheelED offers a queer lens of ED recovery and an honest, safe space of inspiration and healing for those recovering from an ED and their supporters. ThirdwheelED was started as a blog by Jamie (OJ) Bushell and Jamie Dannenberg, MS, RDN, LDN in 2015. They started documenting and sharing their experience navigating the mental health and eating disorder systems as a queer person trying to access treatment and as a non-traditional caregiver supporting their loved one getting help for their eating disorder for the first time. By sharing their story, through social media, they hoped to find community and offer an often underrepresented story of recovery. They continue to use their platform to advocate for inclusive and affirming research, prevention, and treatment of eating disorders in LGBTQIA+ communities. They offer editorial services for eating disorder and mental health clinicians along with trainings on how to cultivate affirming eating disorder treatment for LGBTQIA+ communities.

OJ (they/them) is in recovery from an eating disorder and co-occurring mental health conditions. OJ writes about the intersectionality of eating disorders, trauma, sexuality, and gender identity/expression. OJ uses their experience of seeking treatment for their eating disorder as person who is queer to help raise awareness of the need for culturally responsive recovery support services for queer communities.

Jamie (she/they) is an eating disorder dietitian at Metrowest Nutrition in the Boston area. Her work is informed by social justice, fat liberation, Health at Every Size®, anti-diet, and LGBTQIA+ affirming frameworks. Through this lens, she supports her clients in disengaging from diet culture and leaning into their own innate body wisdom to make food and movement choices that affirm their values system, gender, and right to self-determination.

Connect with thirdwheelED:

• Learn more by visiting thirdwheelED.com
• Contact thirdwheelED online or via email
• Book thirdwheelED for your next speaking engagement
• Check out thirdwheelED’s editorial services for eating disorder and mental health professionals
• View thirdwheelED’s list of queer eating disorder support groups
• Follow thirdwheelED on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
• Subscribe to thirdwheelED’s blog
• Sign up for thirdwheelED’s newsletter
• ThirdwheelED in the media:
╴Watch thirdwheelED on MTV News sharing what it’s like having an eating disorder in the LGBTQ community
╴Read “Why Misgendering Me Makes Me Feel Like My Body Is A Problem” written by OJ for Ravishly
╴Read “How Current Eating Disorder Discourse Fails The LGBTQ Community. And How We Can Change That” written by OJ for Huffpost

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About Karin Lewis:
Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. To learn more about Karin and her center’s services, please visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center. You can connect with Karin on social media by following her on Facebook and Instagram.

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