Anorexia – Michelle Sparkes

Have you ever wondered about the voices a person with anorexia experiences? Escalating Conflict describes the growing conflict and development of ‘voices’ I experienced as my journey down the scales progressed and my eating disorder “solution” became increasingly untenable. I needed to eat. I hated feeling like a burden on my parents but I was increasingly […]

This podcast explains why I wrote ‘Illuminating Anorexia’ and describes the first time I recognised that my dieting had “gotten out of control.” It was a wake up call, and yet it would be another year before I was diagnosed with anorexia and began to get the help I needed. Early Intervention is such an […]

This is a radio interview I did with Hamish and Emma on The Dip (94.5FM) prior to the relase of the DSMV. It covers some general info about eating disorders, definitions and differences, media influences, body image, the “perfection lie” and recovery. It should be noted the DSMV no longer includes the 85% expected weight for height […]

KEY 4 The fourth key to get FREE from an eating disorder (ED) is to take action. The preceding three keys have been preparing you to get to this point where the real “work” of recovery begins. There are a number of action steps to unpack here. The first is to develop a meal plan […]

KEY 3 The third key to get FREE from an eating disorder (ED) is to take inventory of where you are at right now. Don’t change a thing. I suggest you use a simple food diary for a week to become aware of the behaviours, thinking, feeling and situations that are currently part of your […]

KEY 2 The second key to get FREE from an eating disorder (ED) is to make a decision to stop spinning your wheels by ceasing to engage in ED behaviours (restricting, purging and overexercising). This may seem impossible right now.  I get that. That’s why you first need to adjust your vision and SEE that […]

KEY 1 The first key to get FREE from an eating disorder (ED) is to adjust your vision and SEE that your destination is not to be stuck on the ED treadmill, spinning your wheels, losing health, opportunities, LIFE! Your destination is freedom and joy, to feel good in your skin, at peace in your […]

When I travelled through anorexia, EDNOS and binge-eating as a teen and young adult, I felt like if I could just “get above” the problem maybe I could see a way out of it.  As it was, I felt stuck in a maze, spinning my wheels, losing vision, hope, health and my future. Twenty plus […]

Over Easter I joined the chat on a wonderful pro-recovery FB group (Anorexia, Bulimia and EDNOS Recovery Support Group) – and was very stirred by the despair I heard in one young lady, Megan B. I reached out to Megan and the admin onsite but there was no response from MB. This episode is inspired […]

Over Easter I joined the chat on a wonderful pro-recovery FB group (Anorexia, Bulimia and EDNOS Recovery Support Group) – and was very stirred by the despair I heard in one young lady, Megan B. I reached out to Megan and the admin onsite but there was no response from MB. This episode is inspired […]

When you’re in the ED space it’s not easy to tap into your joy and ‘feed’ your soul. To fight the critical, bullying ED voice, you need to nurture your soul and the healthy part of you that says, “Wait a minute, surely I deserve something by now…” and the truth is, YES you do! […]

When you’re in the ED space it’s not easy to tap into your joy and ‘feed’ your soul. To fight the critical, bullying ED voice, you need to nurture your soul and the healthy part of you that says, “Wait a minute, surely I deserve something by now…” and the truth is, YES you do! […]

Whatever kind of day you’ve had, and especially if it’s been a tough day for you, I want to encourage you to tap into your joy. This is such an important key to help you get off the ED treadmill and recover your life. Take a moment to think of something that brings you joy. Something simple. Something accessible […]

My parents and I travelled through anorexia & EDNOS in the ‘dark ages’ (late 70s/early 80s) and it made the journey so very tough. It’s one of the reasons I do what I do in this arena. And while there’s a lot more light on the subject & help available now, I believe the clearer […]

Any BODY at any WEIGHT can have a (classifiable) eating disorder. Many more people struggle ‘under the radar’ with eating, self & body issues that don’t fit the diagnostic criteria. These ‘life consuming’ problems are big and growing (amongst females and males) and the real struggle is mainly hidden. In this and the last episode, […]

Any BODY at any WEIGHT can have a (classifiable) eating disorder. Many more people struggle ‘under the radar’ with eating, self & body issues that don’t fit the diagnostic criteria. These ‘life consuming’ problems are big and growing (amongst females and males) and the real struggle is mainly hidden. In this and the next episode, […]

I want to speak directly to the person struggling with anorexia. When we begin on this (restrictive) path, we usually feel pretty good about things, better about our ‘self,’ more competent and in control. We don’t want help. It’s not until the wheels start to fall off that we become open to the possibility that […]

I believe illumination is the key and first step on the path to recovery because until we can see the nature of the battle in which we are engaged we will not be in a position to consider our alternatives. We will be fighting in the dark. Many of us will become exhausted and despairing. […]