Navigating the festive season

It’s a time that many people look forward to. Meeting family and old friends for the first time since last year and coming together to celebrate over food and drink. But for people living with eating disorders, it can be a minefield that sparks anxiety whenever we think about it.

A recent study found almost half of the general population “dreads the festive season”. The Butterfly Helpline always reports a spike in calls from people looking for support through the festive season and this year, with numbers already especially high due to COVID-19 lockdowns, they are expecting even higher volumes of contacts.

In this episode of Butterfly: Let’s Talk, host Sam Ikin finds how people in recovery prepare and deal with all the triggers of the season. Nicki Wilson from F.E.A.S.T says preparation is essential, not just for the sufferer, but for family and friends who want to make sure everyone has a good time. Butterfly’s Manager of Treatment and Support, Michelle Sperling, has some practical tips that everyone can follow.

We also hear from three brave people in recovery who share their experiences from when they were struggling and how they cope with the increased stress and triggers that come with the holiday season.

Over a million Australians are currently experiencing an eating disorder, and less than a quarter are getting treatment or support. And it’s becoming increasingly clear that eating disorders are often under-diagnosed. Everyone who experiences an eating disorder has a unique story to tell.

The Butterfly podcast is produced, hosted and edited by journalist Sam Ikin, who has lived experience of binge eating disorder, in partnership with Butterfly.

To find out more about eating disorders, visit the Butterfly Foundation website www.butterfly.org.au.

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