Interoception, Alexythymia & Autism

In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Phaedrae Longhurst. Phaedra is a body image and appearance-related research at the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists and is completing a MSc in Psychology at the University of Exeter. Phaedra joins us today to discuss her personal experience and academic knowledge of interoception, body image, and eating disorders in individuals with autism.

With Phaedrae, we begin by discussing the concept of interoception and how this links to eating disorders and body image. We also discuss alexythymia, intuitive eating, body image, and how all of these elements tie together to curate a positive or negative experience of ones body.

We then discuss Phaedrae's experience of having an eating disorder and autism, and how they impacted each other. We discuss stimming, how Phaedrae's need for exercise affected her eating disorder and the treatment she received.

Finally, we discuss eating disorder treatment and the requirements need to make treatment more accessible for neurodivergent individuals.

For more information about Phaedrae and her research, you can find her research here: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Phaedra-Longhurst or follow her on twitter @phaedrajayne or Instagram @phaedralonghurst.

Please note that this episode discusses body image, disordered eating patterns, and the link to autism. Go gently and take care of yourself.