Blogs
The SWEDA View
By Nerissa Shaw - Clinical Lead
July 2021: The National Child Measurement Programme: A Weighty Issue
The government recently announced that it intended to bring back weighing in schools after the COVID-19 pandemic brought a halt to this routine practice. They cited the ‘obesity crisis’ and the exacerbating factor of lockdown for this decision. Childrens’ weight is to be..
This Is ME!!!!!!
February 2019
Looking back at my childhood I can now see I had some issues with food - I remember when walking to school, dreading it. I was picked on and didn’t have many friends but then I started to take out my chocolate and biscuits I managed to sneak out the house and as I ate these it made me feel better. Food was a major comfort - I always felt better, but then afterwards I felt guilty as I was desperate to be slim. I thought if I was slim I would be happy and popular. I tried to diet but I couldn’t stick to it - I felt like a failure...
July 2021
In recovery, it’s so important to recognise who you are!!!!! Rather than being led by my eating disorder. In my years of recovery, I’ve realised...
If At First You Don't Succeed.......
March 2019
I didn't just wake up one day and decide not to eat.
It started with difficulties at work. I wasn't coping, was crippled with anxiety and living with depression.
There were warning signs that those around me noticed which I brushed aside.
It couldn't be happening again.
My Bulimia Story
May 2019
A comment here, a comment there. That’s how it starts. An innocent remark made to a vulnerable impressionable young mind can set off a catastrophic set of events, that can shape a person's life forever. At least, this is how it started for me.
Let's Stop The Stigma!!!
May 2019
After attending a 1920’s themed murder mystery event at the Swan in Wells, in aid of SWEDA I decided to learn more about the fantastic but relatively unheard of charity. A few months later I met with Laura Miller, Sam Best and Paula Blight, CEO about how I could help the charity.
In the meeting they presented lots of ideas and suggestions about how I could help, from Red Berry’s involvement with the charity, to me speaking at events.
How do I speak the Truth through my eating disorder and prescription substance abuse
January 2020
I speak my truth with coping strategies of an eating disorder and prescription drug addiction.
And what truth do I speak to the world with my behaviours?
I say “don't see me, I will hide in the shadows of shame”.
Because shame is safe where I remain small. And I say “please don't see me or hear me “. I also give another clear message that says “I'm in raging anger pain and grief, but I will take it inwards to let it burn my soul”. To create a cycle of never-ending torture upon myself to punish the part of me that believes I'm inherently bad.
Hunger Versus Fulfilment
January 2020
As the guarded Hunger is released,
Im held in a sacred embrace of desire to the endless whispers of sensuality,
Where shame no longer speaks its vitriolic acid name,
To transmute pain into soft lilting tones of a sapphic love,
To unburden the heart to bleed in truth, love and Power of Liberation.
