While women of all ages are exposed to unrealistic standards regarding weight and appearance, midlife women (aged 40+) are especially vulnerable to these ideas. At a time at which many women begin to notice universal body changes, they are exposed to messages that fat of any kind is unacceptable. Often, these messages globalize into the sense that the woman is unacceptable if she no longer retains a

Research has shown that eating disorders are especially common in LGBTQ communities. Transgender and gender-expansive people are at particular risk. This can be due to a number of factors, including LGBTQ body image ideals, stigma and marginalization, past traumas and body/gender incongruence. It is important for members of the LGBTQ community to have a safe space to work on eating disorders and to feel affirmed in their identities.

Do you spend most of the day obsessing about food or planning how to avoid eating? Do you feel guilty, ashamed, or depressed after you eat? Are you afraid that when you start eating, you won’t be able to stop? Do you restrict your food during the day, only to binge at night? Do you get rid of excess calories by vomiting, using laxatives, or exercising to excess?

As many as 10 million females and 1 million males have an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. Approximately 15 million more struggle with binge eating disorder. Eating disorders such as these involve emotions, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues. Body dissatisfaction and disordered eating attitudes and behaviors are also common, and they can be very painful to manage alone.

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“perfect,” youthful body. Most advertisements lack images of people who are older, further reinforcing a woman’s sense of invisibility. When adult women are pictured in advertisements, they rarely resemble “real” women, and are often depicted wearing shorts with a tennis racket or yoga mat in hand.

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Read more about eating disorders in LGBTQ communities

with eating disorders. EMDR protocols can help decrease urges (such as to binge or purge), helping to change the frequency of symptom use. EMDR is also a way to resolve past experiences which can lead to or prolong eating disorders, low self-esteem and body image concerns.

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Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is is a research-based method of treatment that is used for a wide variety of concerns, including eating disorders and body image. Using EMDR, the therapist leads the client through a series of eye movements (or tapping) that allows gentle resolution of the root cause of the problem.

EMDR is especially helpful in working

To schedule a confidential assessment, please contact Dr. Dalzell.