SZN. 3 Ep. 1/ Eating Disorders & Transgender Individuals
Eating Disorders & Transgender Individuals
By: Molly Maffeo, LCPC
Eating disorders disproportionately affect the transgender community. Studies have found that 18 percent of the transgender community struggles with an eating disorder compared to 1.8 percent of the cisgender community.
It is so important to understand the difference between body dysmorphia and body dysphoria as well as how these symptoms overlap. Body dysphoria refers to the incongruence between one’s true gender and the body’s presentation. A common example is a transmasc person feeling very dysphoric and distressed about breast development because breast development is associated with femininity. Body dysmorphia, however, refers more to someone’s aspirations for thin ideals, wanting to change their weight/shape but not in an effort to be perceived as their true gender. An example of body dysmorphia would be someone who really ties their self worth to their size or shape of their body. Whether an individual is struggling with dysmorphia, dysphoria or both, they have most likely struggled dissociating from their body.
There are many systemic factors that affect one’s ability to attune to their body. On the podcast, we will discuss a little bit of my therapy style that employs mindfulness-based CBT, narrative therapy and a feminist theory lens to help folx unpack and build more connection to their bodies!
