The EmBODYment of Self- Understanding and Treating Eating Disorders due to Sexual Abuse and Trauma

Course overview

During the past 30 years the approach towards different Eating Disorders started to change. It has finally been acknowledged that eating disorders are not “just” biological or “stand alone” disorders but stem and the consequence of a wide variety of complex traumas In this course Vardi discusses the connection between sexual abuse (rape, incest, sexual assault, etc.) and Eating Disorders that she encounters in her clinic. It is clear that those different pathological eating habits are a direct result of those sexual traumas (not only sexual of course) and represent a “revolt” against the body - a separation, a secret wish to conceal, evade and disappear the body by starving it, covering it with layers of fat or vomiting as a sign of deep distress of the soul. She sheds light on the mechanism of trauma and especially sexual trauma in the Classical Chinese Medicine perspective and draw a line to the inner dissonance resonating as a result, causing alienation and self-destructive eating habits. The discussion of the treatment will focus on assisting the patient in consolidating, unifying and embodying their true self, reclaiming control over one's body and destiny with the help of classical acupuncture and herbal treatment.