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Anxiety and Eating Disorders with Joanna Zelichowska
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About the episode
In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories Joanna touches on her work at Jessie’s Legacy and discusses the resources available for those in need of support. Growing up as a dancer and gymnast, Joanna recognized that anxiety around body image was common among her peers. This led to her interest in learning more and becoming a clinical counsellor.
Joanna notes that symptoms of anxiety tend to occur before disordered eating, and that oftentimes eating disorders are used as a way to cope with anxiety, as they can provide a sense of control. To learn more about how anxiety and eating disorders can overlap visit www.heretohelp.bc.ca.
About the guest
Joanna Zelichowska is a registered clinical counsellor and the manager of Jessie’s Legacy Eating Disorders Prevention Program at Family Services of the North Shore. Jessie’s Legacy was named after Jessie Alexander, a young woman who took her own life after a long battle with disordered eating and depression. Although Jessie did not live to see this happen, her hope upon her own recovery was to help others and prevent the pain and anguish she experienced.
"I saw a lot of women and girls struggling with their bodies and their body image, and as I was reflecting on that I was like a lot of that really kind of sources back to anxiety about our bodies, anxiety about our image, anxiety about food, and relationship with food."
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