Therapist Susie Orbach discusses body image (video)

Whilst researching for this blog post I came across the following video on the Guardian website of Susie Orbach discussing body image and her 'Endangered Species' campaign.

Recently, Free Your Mind took part in the All-Walks book club in which we discussed Bodies by Susie Orbach.

In Bodies Orbach discusses how, for both men and women, our bodies have now come to be seen as being in need of constant improvement, and how this view of our bodies are influenced by society, media imagery and those around us.

During our book club discussions we shared our experiences with our own bodies and body image, explored where our ideas and opinions of ourselves may have originated, and the role they now play in our everyday lives.

We talked about how our views of image are shaped by many different factors, including; upbringing, media images, interactions with others, and our surrounding environments.

And we discussed the varying attitudes we have towards both our own and others' bodies - for example, feeling too fat or too thin; or, too short or too tall, and so on - and how we then apply these same or,  completely different standards to others, or none any at all (i.e. we are often our worst critics!).

The topic of how body image problems are trivialised and are not seen as "real problems" was often raised, along with the negative impact trivialising these issues has on everyone involved, not just for those whose problems are being trivialised.

Orbach touches on these points in the above video; but I'd recommend Bodies for her full exploration of both our attitudes towards our bodies and, also, of how they are shaped by our experiences, citing case studies and her own observations, as a therapist, as examples.

(Click here for the previous blog post, 'All Walks book club'.)

Endangered Species
Susie Orbach's Endangered Species summit was held during March this year; which, through a series of events and speakers, aimed to celebrate body diversity and challenge the culture that teaches girls and women to hate their own bodies.

Understanding Eating Disorders

Eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia are common and are very serious mental illnesses; being dangerously underweight can be fatal. Eating disorders are common in both adults as well as teenagers. These type of mental health problems also occur in men and are becoming increasingly common.

Anorexia is termed by doctors as 'anorexia nervosa', and bulimia as 'bulimia nervosa'. Other eating disorders include Binge Eating Disorder (BED) - this is like bulimia but without the sufferer attempting to get rid of the food/weight (aka. 'purge') - and Compulsive Overeating. The difference between Binge Eating Disorder is that BED is constant, whereas Compulsive Overeating comes and goes in cycles.

The psychological signs of anorexic disorder include:

• a distorted perception of your body shape or your body shape or weight
• an intense fear of gaining weight
• an obsessive interest in what others are eating
• becoming aware of an 'inner voice' that challenges your views on eating and exercise
• changes in your personality, as well as mood swings
• denial of the existence of a problem

The behavioural signs of anorexic disorder include:

• rigid or obsessive behaviour towards eating; such as cutting your food into tiny pieces and pushing your food around the plate
• vomiting and/or taking laxatives
• wearing big, baggy clothes
• restlessness and hyperactivity

The psychological signs of bulimic disorder include:

• uncontrollable urges to eat vast amounts of food
• a distorted perception of your body weight and shape
• an obsession with your food, or feeling 'out of control' around food
• emotional behaviour and mood swings
• isolation - feelings of helplessness and loneliness
• anxiety and depression; low self-esteem, guilt and shame

The behavioural signs of bulimic disorder include:

• food disappearing unexpectedly or being secretly hoarded
• periods of fasting
• binge eating and vomiting
• disappearing to the toilet after meals in order to vomit food you've eaten
• excessive use of laxatives, diuretics or enemas
• excessive exercise
• shoplifting for food; abnormal amounts of a money spent on food
• secrecy and reluctant to socialise

The lists above are not definitive, and those with an eating disorder may not experience all of these symptoms.

Although each eating disorder results in different eating behaviours, each occurs when sufferers cannot separate their emotions from cannot separate their emotions from their eating habits. The self-esteem in those with these kinds of mental illnesses is thought to be low. Individuals with low self-esteem will often give off a beaten appearance; for example, walking with their head down. Those suffering from an eating disorder think that they are ugly. Genetics are also thought to ply a part in causing eating disorders.

Eating disorders are more common than you might think, and they are very mental illnesses; which is why understanding them is important. The two most well known eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, but there are others! And, like any mental illness, an eating disorder can affect anyone, not just young women.

Another campaign I am fond of is 'All Walks' which aims to challenge the fashion industry's view of the body beautiful, find out more here.

I hope this information was useful, and if you have anything thing to add, please do! 

Take care.

Nicola of FYM

Fashion and Free Your Mind

I would like to take a bit of time to thank fashion designer, Michael Williamson, whom is a huge supporter of the Free Your Mind campaign, as well as one of my closest friends.

Not only is he a highly talented designer, he has been a great friend and huge inspiration to me. Michael has worked on the campaign All-Walks: Beyond the Catwalk, which aims to challenge how the fashion industry (and the public) perceives the body beautiful; addressing issues such as eating disorders in both men and women.

Michael's first fashion collection was shown on the catwalk at Graduate Fashion Week, and it was entitled "Love Letters From Hell". The collection was based on Jack the Ripper and Victorian London. Michael also hopes to produce a collection based around mental illness at some point in his career and Free Your Mind would support him all the way.

So; thank you Michael Williamson for your continuing support. You've shown me beauty is for everyone.

copyright © 2009 Christopher Moore Limited

copyright © 2009 Christopher Moore Limited

ABOVE: Love Letters From Hell

Michael Williamson has his own blog: Safety Pin Charm.

Related Free Your Mind Posts:

What is the Free Your Mind Campaign About?