(* See Content Warning at end)

Stress has a profound impact on eating disorders, including in the context of special needs parenting. Stressors may come from others' heavy expectations, our own judgments, and our life situation. Food may play a part in how we manage that stress. Sometimes, it's by choice and sometimes it may not be so much in our control. In this episode, Sammie Lee shares her personal journey of endurance and recovery through eating disorders (ED), emphasizing the importance of self-love, forgiveness, and the need for better communication between parents and children.

Sammie and Marcia explore the complexities of eating disorders, the role of emotional trauma, and the necessity of building awareness and understanding in order to foster healthier relationships with food and oneself. It's an episode that will change lives for some of our audience, so please share if you know others who need some support. Chapters

00:00The Impact of Stress on Eating Disorders

03:57Sammie's Journey Through Eating Disorders

06:36The Role of Support in Recovery

09:04Understanding Forgiveness and Self-Love

12:12The Complexity of Eating Disorders

14:41Recognizing Signs of Eating Disorders

17:20The Importance of Communication in Prevention

19:59Generational Trauma and Eating Disorders

32:27The Impact of Eating Disorders on Family Dynamics

36:56Finding Time for Self-Care as a Parent

43:02Understanding Stress and Its Effects on Eating Habits

46:25Building a Healthy Relationship with Food

53:58The Importance of Self-Acceptance and Forgiveness

01:03:47The Power of Connection and Support in Healing

Keywords

eating disorders, special needs parenting, mental health, recovery, forgiveness, self-love, communication, awareness, stress management, body image

About our guest

Sammie Lee is a dedicated eating disorder specialist and coach, guiding individuals and families toward healing and recovery with a deeply compassionate, trauma-informed and holistic approach. Sammie's free workbook, to develop a stronger relationship with yourself/your body is here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MWqxFU1Zxpk7OFiA-zRAzYRRsuQPBoGV/view?usp=drive_link

Follow Sammie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sammie.lee.71

Sammie's Support group "BE ED FREE~ PARENTS EDITION" is here: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/3Yhg9dL6K7fQFJ3R/?mibextid=lOuIew

About the podcast host

Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a speaker, coach, and special needs parent, podcaster, author, and strategy lecturer. She runs the Special Needs Parent Podcast because she aims to make special needs parents feel valued, connected, and supported.

Get her Amazon bestselling book, Lighting the Path, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://books2read.com/lightingthepath⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Find Marcia on Facebook at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/MarciaNB8/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on Instagram @specialneedsparentjourney

Join the FREE Lighting the Path Community for Special Needs Parents at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/jG6JEHafR3TWTyqG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

CONTENT WARNING: This episode of the Special Needs Parent Podcast explores challenging emotional and mental themes, mentions sexual assault and includes a few swear words that can be challenging for listeners. It may be a lot to take in, so if you need to take a break a tough part, please take a breather, and then come back in.