Welcome Winter

Winter is upon us!  Welcome snowmen, icicles, snow covered trees, and slippery roads.  Winter can be tough for those folks with low body weight.  It can get darn cold out there.  And here in Cleveland, it can get rather dreary.   Here are a few suggestions to help you stay warm this season:

Thermal reflective lining jacket

A new pair of fun mittens

Electric blanket

Personal heater

Warm baths

A mug of hot cocoa or decaf tea

A bowl of hot soup

Cuddle with a person or furry friend

Stop commenting on the weather (What’s the point?)

Notice the beauty of the season

If you find yourself suffering from SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder, consider a light box.  There is now even a light box that is mounted to the underside of a baseball cap.  You will need at least 30 minutes/day, preferable in the morning.  Then go change all your yellow light bulbs to white.  It helps, really!

Try one or all of these suggestions.  They won’t change the temperature outside or make the sun come out, and they will make your day a little brighter and warmer.  Much of your present condition is dictated by our state of mind.  And you can change your state of mind.

Stay present and enjoy!

Ann

time change

Don't forget to change your clocks.  Change is good:  let the light shine in!
Ann

PLEASE HELP ME with Social Media, Eating Disorders and Body Image

Social Media, Eating Disorders and Body Image   

 I got a call from a Communications Professor at Cleveland State University yesterday, asking if he can interview me for a professional article he is writing about social media.  This is most interesting to me because I am the most illiterate social media user I know! I guess he thinks I know something, since I am an eating disorders therapist.

Anyway, this Professor is an expert in the field of persuasion, and he was contacted by a professional journal to write an article about social media and its impact on eating disorders and body image.  In the article, he wants to include a clinician's perspective.  So it makes sense for me to go to my audience asking you to comment on social media's impact on your disease.

I would very much appreciate it if you would ponder the following questions and send me a reply:

PLEASE DO NOT LIST PRO-ANA/PRO-MIA SITES OR BEHAVIORS LEARNED, AS THAT COULD BE TRIGGERING FOR OTHER READERS. 

1. What sorts of social media sites have you been to?  Sites that teach and encourage eating disorders?  Sites that promote recovery?  What did/do you like about these sorts of forums?

2. How do social media sites make you feel?  What sort of emotions do various sites evoke?

3. What kept/keeps you going back?

4. Have you posted on these sites and communicated with other users?  How has that been helpful/not helpful?

6. Have you posted on your own and others, social media sites, about your own eating and body image struggles?  In a healthy or unhealthy way?

7. Please read my previous blog about shame and comment on how social media contributes to it.

5. Please estimate how much time each day or week you spend/have spent on social media sites that trigger eating disorder behaviors and BBT’s (Bad Body Thoughts).  How” addicted” to  social media are you? 

I am not sure if these are the best questions, I write them to get you thinking.  Your reply can be anything you think would be helpful to the article.

I thank you in advance. 

And BTW, I am meeting with this Prof. next Thursday, so please don’t delay. 

Thank you 

Ann Hull, LISW
President, The Hull Institute, LLC

Thinking About Shame

I do a lot of thinking about SHAME.  I no longer live in my own shame (I did for a very long time), yet I think about how so many of my clients live in theirs.  Whether the shame comes from abuse, hating your body, shameful events of long ago or yesterday, SHAME is often debilitating.  

Currently, my favorite author, Brene Brown, researches and writes about shame.  Most of her work is with women, though she has a CD and book about men, women and shame.  No one is immune from shame. We all have it, and no one likes to talk about it.  Shame begets shame because shame is about secrets; secrets we are afraid to tell because we might feel more shame for telling. 

It is common to confuse the terms GUILT and SHAME.  

GUILT is “I did something bad.”  

SHAME is “ I AM BAD.”  

It is the shame that leads to addiction and eating disorders, along with depression and anxiety and you-name-it conditions.  And the way OUT of these conditions is NOT the way we get into them.  The way out is by following directions.  (If you continue reading blogs, you will read a lot about following directions!)  The way out is to stop following the directions of our addict or ED voice and start listening to people who have what you want.  

Especially in the early stages of recovery, following the directions of any voice that contradicts the negative self-talk and craving is critical.  This is obviously very scary, because “What if I can’t do it?”  And I say, “What if you can?”

In the medical world, eating disorder and addictions recovery is about stopping behaviors.  Once you do that, you can work on shame recovery.  Shame recovery is about: recognizing your shame, being aware of when you are in it, asking for help, talking about it, having faith that you can move through it and stop living in it.  It requires courage and compassion, and in the beginning, faking it ‘til you make it.  I hope you’ll check out Brene Brown online or in the bookstore, then talk with your therapist or another trusted person in your life about it. As always, we welcome your comments.

Happy Independence Day

“Happy July 4th.”  “Happy 4th of July!”  On Thursday, this is what we will here from most people. 

What I say is “Happy Independence Day!”   On July 4, 1776, the members of the Continental Congress, on behalf of each and every colonist, signed the Declaration of Independence.

 On July 4, 2013, I challenge you to declare INDEPENDENCE from the tyranny of your eating disorder:  your behaviors, your thoughts, your feelings.   Those of you who know me know that I am all about milestones: holidays, life changes, important events that allow us to re-set ourselves and start anew.  Of course, you can do that each day.  AND on really important days, you have the opportunity to stand up and re-commit in a celebration of your life and your freedoms.  Consider these activities:

As you attend picnics with family and friends, choose being present with people over obsessing about your food issues or having behaviors that interfere with you enjoying your day.

When you see the American flag waving, put your hand over your heart and say the Pledge of Allegiance (hopefully you can remember itJ).   With your hand still over your heart, say “I pledge allegiance to myself.” Then spend a moment or two thinking about what that really means to you.

When you watch fireworks, think of using your healthy voice; how when you speak your truth, you will explode with flare, goodness and love, exciting yourself and all those around you.

Go to: http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/nedaDir/files/documents/handouts/NoWeigh.pdf  and sign your own Declaration.

 Think about one of the most famous phrases in history, from the Declaration of Independence:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”  Yes, this applies to you.  You have a choice to believe and live this truth!

When you lay your head down to rest, smile and be grateful for all you have in your life and how our forefathers fought for our freedoms. 

Now it is time for YOU to fight for YOUR freedom and your INDEPENDENCE from ED.

Happy Independence Day!

Ann Hull

The Hull Institute, LLC

On Line Learning Launched!

The Hull Institute is pleased to announce our first ON LINE LEARNING courses.

Please go to eatingdisordercourses.com to check out our first series: Eating Disorders and Pregnancy. 

We know there is a great deal of information out there about eating disorders.  Some of it is up to date and reliable, some of it isn’t.  And anywhere you go, the information can quickly get overwhelming.  Sifting through it all can be exhausting. 

Our courses offer the information you need, in an easy to understand, succinct way.  We have a combination of slides and audio to teach the learner the basics of the topic presented.

Our courses cannot replace therapy, nutrition counseling, or medical care.  And for those folks who have no access to care or are reluctant to get help just yet, one of our courses may be just what you need to get started on the recovery journey.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Ann Hull, President, The Hull Institute, LLC

Happy Easter, 2012

HAPPY EASTER!

Blessings to each of you for a wonderful Easter!  Christians believe today is the most Holiest of days.   If you are celebrating Easter, please take time to reflect on the meaning of this day, the gifts you have been given, and if you are making the most of yourself and your life.

Are you moving forward and saying “NO” to ED, or “YES” to a life of being “the best version of yourself” in God’s light?  For all you fabulous women and men of all faiths, LET’S CELEBRATE LIFE!

Ann Hull, LISW, President, The Hull Institute, LLC

April 8, 2012