Dr. Bronwyn Raykos: Mindful Eating and Binge Eating Recovery | Bouncing Back #47

Facing challenges with food relationships frequently results in binge eating and other eating disorders, impacting physical, mental, and emotional well-being. However, don’t worry because, in this episode, Joahanna Wickramaratne engages in an in-depth discussion with the experienced Dr. Bronwyn Raykos on the subject of exploring mindful eating and binge eating recovery.

Meet Dr. Bronwyn Raykos

Dr. Bronwyn Raykos is a seasoned clinical psychologist specializing in eating disorders with 17 years of experience. She’s committed to improving accessibility to treatment in healthcare. Dr. Bronwyn has worked extensively across various age groups and settings in Western Australia’s public and private sectors.

Dr. Bronwyn also works as the Director of Morgan Psychology and a clinical researcher. She focuses on translating research into practical clinical applications. She’s a mentor in the Australian Clinical Entrepreneur Program and has developed a digital application for eating disorder patients.

Dr. Bronwyn also created the “Nourish – recovery hugs kit” in collaboration with local farmers and artists, aiming to provide evidence-based support directly to individuals’ homes.

About the episode

In this episode, Joahanna Wickramaratne and Dr. Bronwyn Raykos delve into the relationship between unhealthy food habits and the onset of binge eating. They highlight the distinction between binge eating and mindful eating and their impact on individuals with eating disorders.

Dr. Bronwyn Raykos outlines key indicators of eating disorders:

Strict dietary rules: You might find yourself imposing strict guidelines on what you eat, like counting calories or avoiding certain foods altogether.
Meal skipping: You may often skip meals, either intentionally or due to feelings of guilt or a desire to control your weight.
Guilt surrounding eating: You might experience strong feelings of guilt or shame when it comes to eating, leading you to restrict your food intake.
Body dissatisfaction: You could have a negative view of your body, constantly comparing it to unrealistic standards and feeling unhappy with your appearance.
Purging behaviors: You might resort to purging behaviors like vomiting or using laxatives to rid your body of food and control your weight or alleviate guilt.
Compulsive exercise: You may feel compelled to exercise excessively, even when tired or injured, as a way to burn calories or manage anxiety.
Awareness of health risks: You’re aware of the physical risks associated with disordered eating, such as nutrient deficiencies or heart problems, but you may continue harmful behaviors due to fear of weight gain or a desire for control.

If you think these indicators are present, you might have the possibility of having an eating disorder, therefore it’s important to seek professional help and support.

In their discussion, Joahanna and Dr. Bronwyn also emphasize the importance of understanding perception in addressing body image concerns, involving identifying triggers and educating about perceptual inaccuracies.

Challenging distorted views through activities like drawing perceived body images and focusing on functional aspects helps recalibrate perception. Negative body image impacts life by leading to social avoidance and increasing the risk of eating disorders, highlighting the importance of building resilience.

Therefore, overcoming body image concerns contributes to resilience, challenging societal norms, and coping with distress, ultimately leading to relief and improved overall well-being in eating disorder recovery.

In conclusion

In this podcast, Joahanna and Dr. Bronwyn explore the relationship between unhealthy eating habits and binge eating while emphasizing the value of mindful eating. Additionally, they advocate for activities that challenge distorted body perceptions and promote resilience in coping with body image concerns, ultimately leading to improved well-being in eating disorder recovery.

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