What we’re about
Welcome to Talking EDs: Eating Disorder Support Service Scotland and our Eating Disorders Support Group Meetup. Join today to access our support groups and more....
'I have a difficult relationship with my best friend. Sometimes my best friend comforts me. But usually my best friend lies, tricks, controls and deceives me. You see, my best friend is food. I have a best friend who I hate.'
Does this sound like you?
Even if this isn't exactly like you, we often hear from clients about how complicated their relationship with food is. Some feel like they are controlling food, but actually it's controlling them. Others feel that eating food is comforting or soothing, especially if they are feeling stressed, hurt, upset, anxious or any other distressing feelings. But, they discover that the comfort is short-term and they end up feeling shame or guilt and a whole host of other uncomfortable things.
Others might feel a sense of achievement through controlling eating or eating certain foods. Others may engage in purging or exercising as a way of compensating for the food eaten. That's just some of the things we hear from members - there's lots more that we hear, some of which are also listed on the little questionnaire on the website you can complete for yourself if you think food/eating is becoming a problem for you: https://www.eatingdisorderscotland.co.uk/eating-questionnaire.html
However things are for you (we are all different, after all) our relationship with food isn't always as simple as eating 3 times a day. Those of you experiencing eating disorders or a tricky relationship with food will know this. We can often have a love-hate relationship with food and over time, feel like we're in a trap, stuck in our relationship with food, but feeling we have nowhere to turn.
Well, you do have somewhere to turn.
You can turn to us. We are interested in YOU, yes, YOU - not your weight or whether you fit an eating disorder stereotype or not. We are interested in what's going on for, regardless of what you weigh, how you look, how often you eat/don't eat, how much you are sick, how often you exercise or what your age or shape is.
Here at Talking EDs Headquarters in Glasgow, we often talk about how WE (our therapists) can help YOU.
Yes, we can help you..... in lots of ways. However, we can't help you, until YOU take the first step and decide to improve your life and address the problem or concern that's making your life difficult. We can't reach out into the screen and drag you to therapy or counselling or bring all our support to you. You have to meet us in the middle somewhere, and that starts with you, getting in touch with us, to find out how we can help and support you.
Then, you can start working, in partnership with your fellow support group members, support group facilitator (or therapist or counsellor, should you choose to have one) to improve life and improve your relationship with food.
We can provide eating disorder
If you take the first step, and get in touch, we will take a step towards you too and walk along side you on your path.
We're waiting for you and ready to listen. Take that step...take it today!
All the best,
Alexandra
Support Group Facilitator
Talking EDs: Eating Disorders Support Service Scotland
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WANT TO KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT TALKING EDS BEFORE YOU JOIN?
There's some more information below about SUPPORT GROUPS specifically below. There's also more information about Talking EDs generally on the website here: www.eatingdisorderscotland.co.uk and, of course, you are welcome to drop an email anytime: support@eatingdisorderscotland.co.uk
If you then decide you want to come to support groups, then press the red REQUEST TO JOIN button and we will be in touch soon.
ABOUT TALKING EDs: EATING DISORDER SUPPORT SERVICE SCOTLAND
We started in Spring 2009 (under a different name then) and our motto is 'your voice counts : recovery exists'. This is the focus and ethos of Talking EDs and underlies everything we do. We believe that recovery and things getting better is possible. Why? Because we have seen people move on from their eating disorder, improve their relatipnship with food and eating and improve their quality of life.
We offer a range of support for anyone experiencing eating disorders, disordered eating or a difficult relationship with food. Some of us know what it's like to experience an eating disorder (either through personal experience or supporting/caring for someone experiencing a difficult relationship with food), we we have an understanding and compassion that may not be found in many other places when it comes to eating disorders and disordered eating.
We offer monthly in-person eating disorder support groups in Glasgow city centre. Groups are informal, supportive, welcoming, encouraging and offer you a safe and confidential space to listen to others and talk about your own experiences too. There is no pressure to talk about anything you don't want to. We do have some group guidelines in place too to ensure groups are as safe, confidential and supportive as possible.
We also offer a range of other services, bon in Glasgow and UK wide if support groups are not for you and you can check out the website for more information on these.
*PLEASE NOTE: please ONLY join this Meetup space if you actually intend to attend support group meetings or social clubs - this space is ONLY for people who come along to our support group meetings. Meetup cost a lot - Meetup isn't free. So please only join if you intend to come along to support groups, social clubs etc. Thanks!
We can help and support anyone over 18 years old who feels they have a difficult or problematic with food and eating - you don't need to have a 'diagnosed' eating disorder to get help - anyone who feels food and eating has become a problem in some way and is affecting their life, emotions, work, education, relationship or well-being is most welcome to get help and support.
You don't have to be thin, underweight, young, female, have eating disorder symptoms all of the time or be seeing a GP or psychiatrist for your problems - anyone is welcome to access help and support, whether formal or informal. All genders over 18 years are most welcome to access our confidential, supportive services.
Please get in touch if you would like to access our services, get support or have any questions. Please note that we are NOT a charity and, unfortunately, services and support is NOT free. Thanks. We look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Alexandra
Talking EDs: Eating Disorder Support Service Scotland