Two Queer Perspectives on Eating Disorder Recovery with thirdwheelED Recovery Bites

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 LGBTQ+ 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.

https://www.thirdwheeled.com