I’ve already had the great opportunity to speak with several women about their recovery from eating disorders and emotional eating (you can find the interviews here). I hope to regularly feature Q&As with individuals who’ve recovered from eating disorders, binge eating, negative body image or any kind of disordered eating. If you’d like to share your story of recovery, I’d love to hear from you! You can email me at mtartakovsky@gmail.com.

Here is part two of my interview with naturopathic doctor Christina Bjorndal about her struggles with an eating disorder. Below, she talks more about the resources that helped her recovery,  how family members can help and much more.

If you didn’t get a chance to read part one, check it out here.

8. What are some misconceptions about eating disorders, particularly how they’re portrayed in the media?

Ah, the media – best to avoid them all together!! I am not a big media fan as I believe that many magazines, in their advertising efforts, actually PROMOTE eating disorders.  Recent campaigns by Dove have been helpful at bringing reality back; however, many businesses have a LONG way to go in changing the marketing and advertising messages they have used for decades. I actually quit my job as Head of Marketing in two organizations as I felt that marketing was a creative way to “play with people’s minds.” I didn’t feel good about doing that, despite the fact that I was selling financial freedom in one company and health in another.

Interestingly enough, as I am answering these questions, there was a snippet on the radio that said “a new study shows that curvaceous figures are in favor (i.e. Beyonce or Kate Winslet ) versus the thin, wafer look (i.e. Kate Moss).”

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