Eating Disorders & DID: Monika Ostroff, LICSW, CEDS-S

CONTENT WARNING: Please note in this episode we discuss eating disorders, and there is mention of specific foods, weight loss, and weight loss numbers. There is also a small section where you will hear a dog barking. Please listen with care. 

In today's episode, we are speaking about eating disorders (EDs), a challenge that many people struggle with, and the connection with those who have DID. Our guest is the brilliant Monika Ostroff, a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and Supervisor, nationally recognized for her 25+ years of experience and contributions to the field of eating disorders. 

Monika begins by sharing that 40% of people with DID also have an ED, and one of the greatest similarities is the fact that the majority of clinicians treating aren't trained for working with either. In an honest and authentic conversation, we talk about the fragmented care provided by those working with folks with ED's and DID, and the trauma that often goes unrecognized. 

A passionate advocate, Monika takes us through how we are programmed to ignore our natural hunger cues, how we often believe that depravation is a tool (it isn't), and the complexity of living with DID and multiple PARTs who might want different foods, at different times, for different things. However, with much hope and optimism, we also talk about the methodologies for working with all PARTs when eating, getting rid of the rules about what a meal is "supposed" to look like, and ways for moving forward in healing.

We hope this episode inspires hope, and also to let you know that you aren't alone if you have struggled with an ED. 

Monika's bio: She has directed several successful residential, partial hospital and intensive outpatient eating disorder programs in addition to having owned a thriving private practice. Monika is the co-author of Anorexia Nervosa: A Guide to Recovery and a contributing author to Self-Harm Behavior and Eating Disorders. She has presented at many national conferences, taught at the university level, and appeared on several radio and television broadcasts. Monika’s passion for treating eating disorders and mentoring other professionals was borne out of her own struggle and full recovery from what today is known as Severe and Enduring Anorexia Nervosa. She strongly believes in providing compassionate care that combines alternative healing with evidence-based modalities. In addition to using meditation, yoga, and essential oils, she is certified in several alternative healing modalities.
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