Reflecting on my Eating Disorder Through an Autistic Lens

Eating disorder recovery can be a challenge for autistic folks due to difficulty with change, sensory aspects of weight gain, and the unpredictability around what will "replace" the eating disorder. In this episode, Livia talks about a recent hardship in her life, bringing it into parallel with her past eating disorder. She reflects on how many of her autistic traits manifested as disordered food and movement, and highlights how understanding the underlying neurodivergent traits creates compassion and kindness for neurodiversity-affirming eating disorder recovery.
Key Topics Discussed:
How Mundane Life Events Can Trigger Overstimulation
Autistic Difficulties Living with Others
Minimalism and Sensory Needs
Sensory Regulation Strategies and Managing Triggers
Autistic Black and White Thinking and How It Manifests
Hypersensitivity to Environment
Difficulties with Cognitive Flexibility and Decision Fatigue
Wanting to Crawl Out of Skin During the Weight Gain Process
Mindset Shifts to Challenge All-or-Nothing Thoughts
Coping with Overwhelm and Processing
Stimming Through Body Movement
Neurodivergent Challenges with Spending Money
🌈 My memoir of Autism and Anorexia: www.livlabelfr...
📚 Create your own Autism and Eating Disorders Book Bundle: livlabelfreebo...
👉🏻 Join Autistically ED-Free Group Coaching: www.livlabelfr...
Connect with Livia:
♥️ SUBSCRIBE: www.youtube.co...
🍩 INSTAGRAM: / livlabelfree
🌐 WEBSITE: livlabelfree.com/
📚 BOOKS: livlabelfreebo...

[@amber_lynn_johnson]

The perceived scarcity from years of restriction also blends into different facets of the neurodivergent experience. I had restriction in timeframes, food, and money all from trying to control my sensory inputs from overwhelm. In recovering from an ED and learning about my autism, I’m seeing how my brain controls my nervous system experience and perceived scarcity in these areas is the sensation of wanting to crawl out of my skin. When I feel constrained in my life, I want to flee it somehow. Mindset shifts, like you mention, can really make the worlds difference. TY for posting this. You truly are helping create a pathway for healing for me. 🙏🏻💜💜

[@LivLabelFree]

You are so welcome, my friend

[@ElNJ-m7f]

I’ve chronic pain(which varies/fluctuates in severity from time to time) in my neck, back/shoulders, head, almost all my joints, eyes, “growing pains”-but not growing, stomach, in periods I’ve chest pains and weird things.
I’ve more “health issues” that’s not really checked out because before I even started investigating what it could be my doctor suspected it’s all in my head so I unbooked our appointment - I know stress have a huge impact on body health but I still have the problem with a lot of things in my body that affects me daily all the time so even if it’s stress I still would like some relief. I’ve tried a lot of the ” holistic healing” but it has healed a bit I think but not near solved anything.
Also I’m autistic so I’m quite stressed out all of the time :) even if I meditate, do yoga, eat “healthy” , exercise etcetera. This comment became a rant sorry Liv.

[@LivLabelFree]

No need to apologize! That's all so hard, I'm sorry you experience so much of this difficulty :( Here for you! It's so difficult to deal with so much at once but always remember that you're worth it :)