5 Things To Know About Eating Disorders

July 28, 2013 @ 8:39 am

Make Peace With Food by Dr. Nina Savelle-Rocklin

Dr. Nina Savelle-Rocklin, a psychoanalyst who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders and writes the award-winning blog, Make Peace With Food joins eHealth Radio and the Weight Managment Channel.

Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Dr. Nina Savelle-Rocklin discuss the following: 

• What do you consider the biggest misconception about eating disorders?
• There's a lot in the media lately about food addiction. What are your thoughts about this?

• You treat many people who struggle with compulsive overeating or binge eating. Where does willpower come in?
• What if someone you care about is dealing with this issue? What's the best way to bring it up?
• If someone thinks they have a problem with binge eating, what steps can they take to stop?

Duration: 9:20

Dr. Nina Savelle-Rocklin, Psy.D. is a psychoanalyst who specializes in emotional eating.  Dr. Nina brings insight and hope to men and women who are struggling with disordered eating.  In addition to her private practice in the Los Angeles area, she is a recognized expert on binge eating, interviewed for her expertise by the Los Angeles Times, Prevention, Real Simple, Dr. Oz online and other publications.

Dr. Nina is passionate about sharing a fresh perspective to the understanding and treatment of disordered eating.  She has written several articles on eating problems from a psychoanalytic perspective, educating people about "why" they turn to food instead of focusing on the behavior itself

Her award-winning blog, Make Peace With Food, was named a “Best Eating Disorder Blog" by Healthline in 2012 and 2013.  Dr. Nina's popular podcast, Win The Diet War with Dr. Nina, was named "New & Noteworthy" by iTunes.  She is currently writing a book based on the principles and ideas in her blog and podcast. 

https://winthedietwar.com/kick-the-diet-habit-now/

Shop 'Til You Pop

Do you shop ‘til you drop?  Eat ‘til you’re about to pop?  If you overspend as well as overeat, maybe there’s a connection between how you’re spending money, and what’s going on with food.  

In this episode, Dr. Nina explores the link between overspending and overeating. 

Check out this episode!

https://winthedietwar.com/kick-the-diet-habit-now/

My story on Eating Disorders Online

From Battling A Disorder To Helping Others: Dr. Nina Savelle-Rocklin's Story

This story was originally published on Eating Disorders Online,  the internet's fastest-growing eating-disorders community. Their goal is to bring people together around the issues of eating disorders by providing concise, up-to-date information and a meeting place for those seeking pathways to recovery.  

Tue, July 02, 2013

This article was written exclusively for EatingDisordersOnline.com by Dr. Nina Savelle-Rocklin, Psy.D,. a psychoanalyst specializing in eating disorders. Dr. Nina writes an award-winning blog called Make Peace With Food and hosts a popular podcast, Win The Diet War, available on iTunes and on its official website.

“If my legs were thinner, I’d be perfect.”

I believed this to be true. Certain that skinnier legs would somehow make me a better person, I prayed for transformation with the same fervor that my friends wished for new Barbie dolls.

I was five years old.

A Battle with the Scale

This got worse as I grew older. Throughout adolescence and into college, my last thought at night was, “What did I eat today?” I fell asleep counting calories and fat grams. I calculated every bite and sip, wondering if I’d lose weight by the next morning or gain it. The scale was my most welcome friend and my biggest enemy.

If that scale registered an added pound, my day was ruined. A lost pound made me feel euphoric. When I hiked with friends, I focused on how many calories I was burning instead of how much fun I was having. I alternated severe restriction and deprivation with bingeing.

I was thin, but in a constant state of anxiety. Eventually I began therapy. I shared my boyfriend issues, my goals and dreams and fears. I was open with my therapist about every aspect of my life - except one.

I never told her what was going on with food.

In truth, I did not want to give up my relationship to food. Starving gave me a sense of strength and superiority. I felt secretly better than other people because I had the will to deny myself.

Eventually my willpower failed and I binged, then used laxatives, or vomited to get rid of the food I had consumed. My struggle was too shameful to admit to anyone, including my therapist, so I waged my war with food in private.

A Self-Revelation

Several months into therapy I noticed some changes. Restricting food no longer made me feel superior. It made me feel deprived.

I started to feel hungry - for food, for love, for life.

I became aware of feelings that I had denied. I learned to process those emotions, rather than deny them. I began using words to comfort myself, and talking to myself in a supportive way, instead of criticizing myself. By the time I left therapy, I no longer engaged in any eating disorder behavior. Not once did I reveal to my therapist what was going on with food.

Moving On

How was this possible?

My eating disorder was a symptom of the actual problem, my mean relationship with myself. In therapy, I learned to cope with difficult situations, instead of using food to distract from them. I learned to soothe myself with words instead of using ice cream or cookies.

Today, I am a psychoanalyst in the Los Angeles area, specializing in disordered eating. I started my blog Make Peace With Food and podcast Win The Diet War to bring information and inspiration to as many people as possible. I know from experience what it’s like to struggle with disordered eating but I also know that complete recovery is possible.

There is always hope.

https://winthedietwar.com/kick-the-diet-habit-now/

Are You A Food Addict (or not)?

Do you consider yourself a food addict?  Do you feel helpless and powerless over sugar, white flour and processed foods?  Maybe you are a food addict.  Then again, maybe not.  

In this episode, Dr. Nina explores the controversial topic of food addiction.  Does it exist, or not?  

And does the label really matter? 

Check out this episode!