Introduction
In this episode, Victoria discusses the connection between eating disorders and OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). She shares her personal experience with OCD behaviors prior to and during her eating disorder, as well as common rituals and thought patterns those with eating disorders and OCD tend to have.
Victoria then provides tips for overcoming OCED (obsessive compulsive eating disorder) behaviors, including wanting recovery more than engaging in behaviors, facing fears and anxiety, doing the opposite of what the ED wants, having accountability and support, and more.
Main Discussion Points
- Victoria’s OCD tendencies before her eating disorder (tidiness, need for control)
- Worsening of OCD with the eating disorder (strict rituals around food/exercise, checking behaviors)
- OCD and eating disorders stem from fear and false sense of security
- Starvation increasing OCD behaviors
- Steps for overcoming OCED:
- Wanting recovery more than behaviors
- Facing fears and sitting with anxiety
- Doing the opposite of ED urges
- Taking up a hobby as distraction
- Having accountability
- Getting support
- Using discipline to rewire behaviors
- Creating rituals to support recovery instead of ED rituals
- Noticing OCD behaviors start to fade with recovery
Key Quotes
“When I realized that I wanted to stop the eating disorder, I wanted to stop the eating disorder OCD bullshit that was completely taking over my entire life, taking up all of my head space…that’s when things started to shift for me.” (00:19:33)
“You train your brain via your behavior. So why not train your brain that it is safe to be in the environment you’re in?” (00:28:58)
“Have faith. Faith and fear are both invisible. You may as well choose faith if you’re gonna choose 1 or the other.” (00:39:35)
How to Overcome OCD and Eating Disorder Behaviors
The transcript describes Victoria’s personal experience with OCD and eating disorder behaviors, and provides suggestions for overcoming them. Here are the key steps:
1. Decide You Want Recovery More Than Your Current Behaviors
The first step is realizing you want freedom from your OCD and disordered eating habits more than you want the temporary relief they provide. Envision what your life could be like recovered and use that as motivation.
2. Commit to Facing Your Fears
Be willing to tolerate anxiety and fear of weight gain. This is necessary for recovery. Use tools like journaling, support groups, or coaching to help you through the discomfort. Remind yourself feelings won’t last forever.
3. Do the Opposite of Urges
When you get a strong urge to complete a compulsion, ritual, restriction, etc. make yourself do the opposite, even though it’s hard. For example, add extra butter to your toast. This trains your brain these things are safe.
4. Distract with Healthy Hobbies
Take up hobbies like knitting, puzzles or crafts that keep your hands occupied. These provide a healthy distraction from obsessive thoughts.
5. Seek Accountability
Have someone in your life hold you accountable to recovery goals. For example, sending them your meal plan and being honest if you stray from it.
6. Communicate Needs and Create a Safety Plan
Tell supportive people what tends to trigger relapse for you and how they can best support you in those moments. Create a plan for what to do when urges get intense.
7. Use Your Discipline
Channel that strong willpower you utilized to engage in behaviors into continuing to do the opposite compulsions urge you to. This gets easier in recovery as brain patterns change. Don’t give up!
The key is continuing these new patterns consistently and asking for help when you need it. If you slip up, get back on track right away. Have faith you can overcome this!
