Autism & Anorexia - The complex Interplay
It is estimated that around 1 in 5 people who develop anorexia also have autism and that 35% of people with anorexia also meet the criteria for an autism diagnosis. The truth is, it can be really difficult to separate autistic traits from ED behaviours because of their overlapping nature.
As someone who has been through my own personal experience and now supports others, I wanted to share a few thoughts that may help you to distinguish between autism; a friend for life, and anorexia; a bully to overcome.
01. Restoring Energy Balance
Low energy coming into the body has a profound impact on all systems of the body. This makes sense, as the body can only “spend” what is has coming “in”.
The brain is a highly energy-dependent organ, and when it is deprived of essential energy, it’s structure and function can be compromised. Communication becomes altered and information is not processed efficiently which can exaggerate autistic traits.
Nutritional rehabilitation and developing physical resilience is the first and most important step in helping to distinguish what is YOU and what is the ED.
02. Self Awareness - being honest with yourself and others
Sometimes it is necessary to bend, accommodate and adapt things for autism and at the same time we know that anorexia is VERY clever, and will use autism as an excuse to manipulate behaviours. Building honest and trustworthy relationships provides a space to explore what is autism, what is anorexia, what are appropriate adjustments and at what point you are accommodating and making room for anorexia to take over.
03. Using Autistic Traits to Promote Recovery
Many autistic traits can either FUEL anorexia or PROMOTE recovery - rules, rigidity, perfectionism & obsessiveness are common traits that anorexia will use to its advantage, which means that autistic individuals may find they are more gripped in the illness than neurotypical people. However, you CAN flip those behaviours and use them to drive you towards recovery and food peace. For example adhering to a meal plan, eating regularly, taking up a new non food related special interest.
04. Self Acceptance
Autism is not a problem to be solved, it is a friend to be made, which might mean that you need to reevaluate your aims and goals for what ‘full recovery’ looks like FOR YOU. In conventional treatment, full recovery is often associated with social flexibility, lack of rigidity and reduction in certain behaviours. In my personal experience, I had to accept that I will never be a last minute kind of gal. I thrive on having a routine and a plan and that is OK. Food peace for me, uses my unique qualities to maintain my recovery.
Instead of trying to fit yourself into what you believe full recovery SHOULD look like, I invite you to ask yourself: “What personal skills, qualities, strengths do I have that I can use day to day to manage my recovery?”
This is a continual journey of exploration, discovery and self compassion and NOT about getting it perfect.
Full recovery is not an IF, but a WHEN, and I believe that it is possible for you
Are you feeling stuck in your recovery? Have you recently been diagnosed as Neurodivergent and struggling to distinguish what is YOU and what is the ED? I can help you.
Just follow these simple steps:
Meet with me weekly
Begin your journey to freedom