Shownotes
Azélie says, “During lockdown I was most of the time alone with my mother who was sick. It was stressful. Many people used social media to communicate and to share and there were many messages around diet culture. Although my mother’s cancer was unpredictable, my eating disorder wasn’t predictable either, but it was a way of controlling my body; choosing to be sick, even though you don’t choose but it’s you orchestrating your own symptoms, when it’s cancer it’s more the body who is sick.
I don’t know how to formulate it without saying people with an eating disorder have a choice - I don’t think so! I just think that the control you think you have when you have an eating disorder was maybe for me, at the time, a response to the unpredictability of cancer.”
Azélie developed anorexia in response to her Mother’s cancer but it was during lockdown that she had the space to “indulge” it and use social media.
Her turning point came when joined a running club and felt her anxiety dissipate. In order to run well, she had to eat. Not just to fuel her body but also to align with her peers. What everyone was having for dinner was a regular and cheerful topic of conversation.
Azelie is the youngest guest I’ve had the pleasure to host on the podcast. I was greatly moved by her story, insight and emotional intelligence as I’m sure you will be. Tune in!
This episode is dedicated to Azélie’s Mum.
PS. Azélie mentions the book Famished: Eating Disorders and Failed Care in America by Rebecca Lester toward the end of this episode, which I heard as Rubika! When I asked afterwards, who is Rubika, (should have asked during the recording) we ascertained she meant Rebecca Lester.
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:
- [03:34] - Food Friend or Foe
- [04:55] - Early Roots and Lockdown Triggers
- [08:16] - Relapse and Stress Abroad
- [09:44] - Control and Cancer Uncertainty
- [12:59] - Diet Culture and Social Media Spiral
- [21:00] - Recovery Is Not Linear
- [22:58] - Underlying Stress and Need for Control
- [24:49] - Exercise and Therapy
- [25:23] - Finding the Right Help
- [26:28] - Running Club Recovery
- [29:45] - Family Support and Loss
- [32:27] - Managing Relapse Risks
- [35:39] - Stigma and Stereotypes
- [40:12] - Beyond Diagnosis Labels
- [42:35] - Hope Through Research
CONNECT WITH AZÉLIE:
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!
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