38-year-old Olena (name changed to protect her privacy) contacted the psychologist at the NGO Girls with a request related to an eating disorder, namely overeating. During the first sessions, the woman talked about the constant tension and anxiety that accompanied her in her daily life. Most of Olena's worries were closely related to food: she was afraid of overeating, struggling to stop, and gaining weight. This topic was so emotionally charged that it occupied almost all of Olena's thoughts, exhausted her, and took a lot of her energy.
While working with the psychologist, Olena gradually began to understand that the problem was not food, but control. She was used to keeping everything under strict control, from her own emotions to the portions on her plate. Any loss of control was perceived as a failure, leading to self-blame and shame. Other important topics were raised during the sessions, such as a high level of anxiety about the future, lack of contact with her own body, striving for perfection, and inability to accept her own mistakes. In a safe space, Olena gradually began to find answers to difficult questions and better understand herself and her true needs.
After ten meetings, the woman's condition improved significantly. Olena began to take a more conscious approach to nutrition. She honestly asked herself what she wanted to eat, allowed herself sweets without remorse, and stopped eating “in advance” for fear that there would be nothing tasty the next day. The tension that previously accompanied any thoughts about food has significantly decreased.
Now, Olena shares that she feels calmer, pays more attention to her body, and knows how to live in the moment. She no longer struggles with herself - she trusts herself.
Eating disorders are not a life sentence. You can deal with them by learning to understand yourself, your body, and your needs. The main thing is not to remain alone with this problem and to seek timely help.
The assistance is provided within the project “Strengthening civil-society and small communities: gender-sensitive recovery and reintegration in Ukraine,” implemented with the support of Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH.
