Obesity as a "Shield" Against Childhood Trauma?

This report from the blog PsychCentral talks about something that, on the face of it, would seem to be common sense -- a link between childhood physical and/or sexual abuse and obesity.

In addition to the overeating that leads to obesity, the article also discusses possible links between early abuse and the development of other eating disorders.

While the whole article is fascinating, what I found most helpful for purposes of this blog is that the author discusses why traditional weight-loss tips may not be helpful to people who have become obese as a "shield" against either further trauma or against the feelings brought on by the trauma.

She then goes on to list 6 tips for healing from both the effects and the causes of trauma-induced obesity. As part of the list she includes these three links to articles on avoiding emotional eating, 3 Principles of Mindful Emotional Eating, and 10 Skill-Sets of Mindful Emotional Eating.

No one who has suffered the trauma of abuse deserves to have to deal with unwanted obesity or other eating disorders as well. If you see yourself in this article, I hope you'll find the offered tips and resources helpful. I do know that I plan on checking into them further.

Shield photo courtesy of Craftsman1 via Flickr.

PTSD Isn't Fiction, but Sometimes It's a Plot Point

Over at Science Fiction/Fantasy site Tor.com, SF reviewer and self-identified PTSD sufferer Arachne Jericho has put up two (so far) excellent articles about PTSD in fiction.

Part 1 includes a description of the ways that triggers manifest that I'd recommend excerpting and sending to anyone among your friends/family/acquaintances who need an explanation that is plain-spoken and accessible.

In addition, Part 1 talks about the ways that fiction authors "do" PTSD wrong; Part 2 showcases to instances where authors got it "mostly right" using examples from two of the most iconic works of TV and film in the Science Fiction/Fantasy universe.

Whether or not you're into the Science Fiction or Fantasy genres, my guess is that you'll be able to relate to Jericho's description of authors' usual approaches to PTSD: "What PTSD?" and "Set Piece PTSD," and perhaps see a bit of yourself in the characters she discusses in Part 2.

Jericho lists some resources at the end of Part 2, but I've not had a chance to check those out as of this posting.

I for one am looking forward to the rest of the series.