OCD and Eating Disorders – Understanding the Overlap

In today's episode, we’re diving into something that’s not talked about enough — the overlap between OCD and eating disorders. If you’ve ever noticed that your food rules, rituals, or routines feel more like compulsions, or that anxiety drives many of your eating behaviours, this one’s for you. I’ll break down how OCD and eating disorders can feed into each other, what signs to look out for, and how to start untangling the two so you can move toward real recovery. It’s such an important conversation because understanding the why behind your behaviours helps you build the tools to change them. Hope this helps you understand the overlap a little better.Let me know your thoughts! SOCIALS:Instagram: @flourishwithciandra @recovertoflourish_podTikTok: @flourishwithciandraWebsite: https://flourishwithciandra.com/Contact: [email protected] 👉🏻 If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review and share a screenshot on Instagram by tagging me @flourishwithciandra and I'll be sure to re-share.FOR MORE SUPPORT: ❤️ Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply to work with me 1:1 to recover from your eating disorder while improving your relationship with food and exercise, head to: https://rb.gy/o3i6t ❤️ If you're not ready to commit to a coaching package, why not schedule a 90-minute kick-start session where we can get your recovery off to the right start: Apply here: https://rb.gy/i7srly❤️ Get Eating Disorder Recovery Guides and Workbooks to aid your recovery: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/FlourishTherapy❤️ Download your FREE Self Care for Eating Disorder Recovery eBook by heading to https://bit.ly/44CKaRg

In today’s episode of the Recover to Flourish podcast, we’re unpacking a really harmful myth that so many people in recovery struggle with — the idea that you’re not “sick enough” to have an eating disorder. Maybe you’ve felt like your struggles don’t count because you don’t look a certain way or haven’t hit some invisible threshold. I get it — I’ve been there too. In this episode, I’ll share why this mindset is so damaging, where it comes from, and how to start validating your own experience, no matter what your eating disorder has looked like. You don’t have to reach a crisis point to deserve help or healing. Recovery belongs to everyone who’s struggling, and I want to help you see that your pain is valid and your recovery is worth it.Let me know your thoughts! SOCIALS:Instagram: @flourishwithciandra @recovertoflourish_podTikTok: @flourishwithciandraWebsite: https://flourishwithciandra.com/Contact: [email protected] 👉🏻 If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review and share a screenshot on Instagram by tagging me @flourishwithciandra and I'll be sure to re-share.FOR MORE SUPPORT: ❤️ Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply to work with me 1:1 to recover from your eating disorder while improving your relationship with food and exercise, head to: https://rb.gy/o3i6t ❤️ If you're not ready to commit to a coaching package, why not schedule a 90-minute kick-start session where we can get your recovery off to the right start: Apply here: https://rb.gy/i7srly❤️ Get Eating Disorder Recovery Guides and Workbooks to aid your recovery: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/FlourishTherapy❤️ Download your FREE Self Care for Eating Disorder Recovery eBook by heading to https://bit.ly/44CKaRg

In today’s episode, we’re talking about something that can feel a bit wild in recovery: extreme hunger after weight restoration. If you’ve been eating enough to restore your weight and suddenly feel like your body is asking for way more than you expect, you’re not alone. I’ll share why this happens, how it’s actually a normal and healthy part of your body rebalancing, and some tips for managing it without feeling overwhelmed or guilty. Recovery can feel unpredictable, but understanding what your body is telling you helps you trust yourself more. I hope this reassures you a little.Let me know your thoughts! SOCIALS:Instagram: @flourishwithciandra @recovertoflourish_podTikTok: @flourishwithciandraWebsite: https://flourishwithciandra.com/Contact: [email protected] 👉🏻 If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review and share a screenshot on Instagram by tagging me @flourishwithciandra and I'll be sure to re-share.FOR MORE SUPPORT: ❤️ Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply to work with me 1:1 to recover from your eating disorder while improving your relationship with food and exercise, head to: https://rb.gy/o3i6t ❤️ If you're not ready to commit to a coaching package, why not schedule a 90-minute kick-start session where we can get your recovery off to the right start: Apply here: https://rb.gy/i7srly❤️ Get Eating Disorder Recovery Guides and Workbooks to aid your recovery: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/FlourishTherapy❤️ Download your FREE Self Care for Eating Disorder Recovery eBook by heading to https://bit.ly/44CKaRg

Welcome back to a brand new season of the Recover to Flourish podcast! In this first episode of Season 4, we’re diving into a tricky but super common challenge in recovery: eating when you’re not feeling hungry. I know how confusing and even uncomfortable it can feel to eat when your body isn’t sending clear hunger signals, and it can make recovery feel a lot harder than it already is. In this episode, I’ll share why this happens, what it means for your body and mind, and some practical ways to navigate eating without hunger cues. Recovery isn’t about waiting for your body to “tell you it’s ready”, it’s about trusting yourself, listening differently, and moving forward even when it feels a bit strange.Let's do this together!Let me know your thoughts! SOCIALS:Instagram: @flourishwithciandra @recovertoflourish_podTikTok: @flourishwithciandraWebsite: https://flourishwithciandra.com/Contact: [email protected] 👉🏻 If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review and share a screenshot on Instagram by tagging me @flourishwithciandra and I'll be sure to re-share.FOR MORE SUPPORT: ❤️ Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply to work with me 1:1 to recover from your eating disorder while improving your relationship with food and exercise, head to: https://rb.gy/o3i6t ❤️ If you're not ready to commit to a coaching package, why not schedule a 90-minute kick-start session where we can get your recovery off to the right start: Apply here: https://rb.gy/i7srly❤️ Get Eating Disorder Recovery Guides and Workbooks to aid your recovery: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/FlourishTherapy❤️ Download your FREE Self Care for Eating Disorder Recovery eBook by heading to https://bit.ly/44CKaRg

Welcome to the last episode of season 3! In today’s solo chat, we’re talking about something that comes up for so many of us in recovery: weight gain. I know it can feel scary, overwhelming, and sometimes even impossible to accept. I’ll share why weight gain is actually a normal and healthy part of healing, how to manage the fear and emotions that come with it, and some practical ways to cope without letting it derail your recovery. After this, I’m taking a short break and will be back in October with season 4, for more chats, tips, and support for your recovery journey.Let me know your thoughts! SOCIALS:Instagram: @flourishwithciandra @recovertoflourish_podTikTok: @flourishwithciandraWebsite: https://flourishwithciandra.com/Contact: [email protected] 👉🏻 If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review and share a screenshot on Instagram by tagging me @flourishwithciandra and I'll be sure to re-share.FOR MORE SUPPORT: ❤️ Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply to work with me 1:1 to recover from your eating disorder while improving your relationship with food and exercise, head to: https://rb.gy/o3i6t ❤️ If you're not ready to commit to a coaching package, why not schedule a 90-minute kick-start session where we can get your recovery off to the right start: Apply here: https://rb.gy/i7srly❤️ Get Eating Disorder Recovery Guides and Workbooks to aid your recovery: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/FlourishTherapy❤️ Download your FREE Self Care for Eating Disorder Recovery eBook by heading to https://bit.ly/44CKaRg

In this episode of the Recover to Flourish podcast, we’re talking about something that can feel a little overwhelming – interpreting blood lab results during eating disorder recovery. Whether you're getting blood work to check on your health or working with a medical team, it can be tricky to understand what those numbers really mean. I’ll walk you through how to look at your results with a realistic lens, how to avoid jumping to conclusions, and why it’s important to focus on overall healing, not just a single number. Recovery is about much more than what’s on a sheet of paper, but understanding these results is still a valuable part of the process. I hope it helps!Let me know your thoughts! SOCIALS:Instagram: @flourishwithciandra @recovertoflourish_podTikTok: @flourishwithciandraWebsite: https://flourishwithciandra.com/Contact: [email protected] 👉🏻 If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review and share a screenshot on Instagram by tagging me @flourishwithciandra and I'll be sure to re-share.FOR MORE SUPPORT: ❤️ Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply to work with me 1:1 to recover from your eating disorder while improving your relationship with food and exercise, head to: https://rb.gy/o3i6t ❤️ If you're not ready to commit to a coaching package, why not schedule a 90-minute kick-start session where we can get your recovery off to the right start: Apply here: https://rb.gy/i7srly❤️ Get Eating Disorder Recovery Guides and Workbooks to aid your recovery: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/FlourishTherapy❤️ Download your FREE Self Care for Eating Disorder Recovery eBook by heading to https://bit.ly/44CKaRg

In this episode of the Recover to Flourish podcast, we’re diving into something that can be pretty confusing in recovery: mental hunger.You’ve probably experienced that feeling of hunger in your mind rather than your body – that constant thinking about food, even after eating. I’ll talk about what mental hunger really is, why it happens during eating disorder recovery, and most importantly, how to respond to it without getting overwhelmed. I know it can be frustrating when your mind keeps asking for more food, but it’s actually a sign your body is healing. I’m here to help you make sense of it, find ways to manage it, and approach it with compassion as you continue your recovery journey.Let me know your thoughts! SOCIALS:Instagram: @flourishwithciandra @recovertoflourish_podTikTok: @flourishwithciandraWebsite: https://flourishwithciandra.com/Contact: [email protected] 👉🏻 If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review and share a screenshot on Instagram by tagging me @flourishwithciandra and I'll be sure to re-share.FOR MORE SUPPORT: ❤️ Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply to work with me 1:1 to recover from your eating disorder while improving your relationship with food and exercise, head to: https://rb.gy/o3i6t ❤️ If you're not ready to commit to a coaching package, why not schedule a 90-minute kick-start session where we can get your recovery off to the right start: Apply here: https://rb.gy/i7srly❤️ Get Eating Disorder Recovery Guides and Workbooks to aid your recovery: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/FlourishTherapy❤️ Download your FREE Self Care for Eating Disorder Recovery eBook by heading to https://bit.ly/44CKaRg

In this episode of the Recover to Flourish podcast, we’re talking about gastroparesis and how it can affect eating disorder recovery. If you’ve been dealing with delayed stomach emptying or digestive issues, you know it can complicate your relationship with food and recovery. I’ll share what gastroparesis is, how it often shows up in people with eating disorders, and why it’s so important to approach recovery with both compassion and patience when digestive issues are in the mix. It’s a tough road, but I want to help you understand the connection and give you some tips on how to support your body through it. Let me know your thoughts! SOCIALS:Instagram: @flourishwithciandra @recovertoflourish_podTikTok: @flourishwithciandraWebsite: https://flourishwithciandra.com/Contact: [email protected] 👉🏻 If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review and share a screenshot on Instagram by tagging me @flourishwithciandra and I'll be sure to re-share.FOR MORE SUPPORT: ❤️ Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply to work with me 1:1 to recover from your eating disorder while improving your relationship with food and exercise, head to: https://rb.gy/o3i6t ❤️ If you're not ready to commit to a coaching package, why not schedule a 90-minute kick-start session where we can get your recovery off to the right start: Apply here: https://rb.gy/i7srly❤️ Get Eating Disorder Recovery Guides and Workbooks to aid your recovery: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/FlourishTherapy❤️ Download your FREE Self Care for Eating Disorder Recovery eBook by heading to https://bit.ly/44CKaRg

In today’s episode of the Recover to Flourish podcast, we’re talking about something many of us struggle with in recovery: social eating. Whether it’s family meals, eating out with friends, or social gatherings, eating in front of others can be tough when you're recovering from an eating disorder. I’ll share some personal experiences, tips, and strategies to help you feel more at ease with social eating and break free from the anxiety it can cause.Here’s what we’ll cover:Why social eating can trigger anxiety in recovery.Practical tips for navigating social eating situations without guilt or shame.How to build confidence in your choices and focus on enjoying the moment.Social eating doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Even if it is right now - you can do something about it with a little help and patience.Let me know your thoughts! SOCIALS:Instagram: @flourishwithciandra @recovertoflourish_podTikTok: @flourishwithciandraWebsite: https://flourishwithciandra.com/Contact: [email protected] 👉🏻 If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review and share a screenshot on Instagram by tagging me @flourishwithciandra and I'll be sure to re-share.FOR MORE SUPPORT: ❤️ Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply to work with me 1:1 to recover from your eating disorder while improving your relationship with food and exercise, head to: https://rb.gy/o3i6t ❤️ If you're not ready to commit to a coaching package, why not schedule a 90-minute kick-start session where we can get your recovery off to the right start: Apply here: https://rb.gy/i7srly❤️ Get Eating Disorder Recovery Guides and Workbooks to aid your recovery: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/FlourishTherapy❤️ Download your FREE Self Care for Eating Disorder Recovery eBook by heading to https://bit.ly/44CKaRg

In today’s episode, we’re diving into a tough but important topic – the truth about being “skinny” and the impact of the SkinnyTok era. With social media constantly bombarding us with images of a specific body type, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that being thin is the ultimate goal. But is it really? I’ll share my thoughts on what being “skinny” really means, how society’s obsession with thinness affects our mental health, and how we can shift our mindset to embrace body diversity and self-compassion instead.Here’s what we’ll cover:The harmful effects of the “skinny ideal” in today’s social media culture.Why striving for a “skinny” body can be dangerous in eating disorder recovery.How to challenge the narratives around thinness and focus on health and happiness instead.It’s time to challenge what we’ve been taught about body size and start embracing our bodies for what they are. Let me know your thoughts! SOCIALS:Instagram: @flourishwithciandra @recovertoflourish_podTikTok: @flourishwithciandraWebsite: https://flourishwithciandra.com/Contact: [email protected] 👉🏻 If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review and share a screenshot on Instagram by tagging me @flourishwithciandra and I'll be sure to re-share.FOR MORE SUPPORT: ❤️ Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply to work with me 1:1 to recover from your eating disorder while improving your relationship with food and exercise, head to: https://rb.gy/o3i6t ❤️ If you're not ready to commit to a coaching package, why not schedule a 90-minute kick-start session where we can get your recovery off to the right start: Apply here: https://rb.gy/i7srly❤️ Get Eating Disorder Recovery Guides and Workbooks to aid your recovery: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/FlourishTherapy❤️ Download your FREE Self Care for Eating Disorder Recovery eBook by heading to https://bit.ly/44CKaRg