News and updates from today's conference learning from lived experience, understanding why pregnancy can be a trigger for eating disorders and exploring how we can better identify women with first episode eating disorders or disordered eating during pregnancy and support those with existing eating disorders that may experience relapse during the perinatal period.
Bridging the gap through the involvement of partners, carers, family and friends
Harriet Parsons
Training and Development Manager
Bodywhys - The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland
• early intervention and carers
• understanding the challenges from a partner perspective
• practical steps that can improve support
• the importance of collaborative care
Harriet talked about Bodywhys and their approach to helping people with eating disorders.
Harriet said " Consistency of care is so important - having everybody on the same page"
She also said "Parents and carers of people with eating disorders are often very knowledgeable about the condition"
Harriet concluded by saying "The focus of Bodywhys is always on the importance of collaborative care".
Supporting women with current or past eating disorders during pregnancy and post-partum
Dr Laura Renshaw-Vuillier
Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychology
Bournemouth University
• my personal experience of pregnancy with a past history of bulimia nervosa
• challenges during and after pregnancy
• thoughts on how to identify and support women with eating disorders during the perinatal period
Laura talked about missing literature on Eating Disorders during the perinatal period, she said "There is very little on psychological factors and emotions, when you have had a baby you experience exhaustion, a hormonal roller coaster and you feel over whelmed"
On what we can do Laura said "We need better routine standards for all women" she also said "We need better care when disclosed". "Postnatally we need the continuation of support - this is the hardest part".
Supporting Organisations
