The Intersectionality of Eating Disorders, Neurodivergence & LGBTQIA+ with Dr Lauren Lovegood

The Intersectionality of Eating Disorders, Neurodivergence & LGBTQIA+ with Dr Lauren Lovegood

From The Full of Beans Podcast by Hannah Hickinbotham

May 25, 2026 · 45 min · Season 1 · Episode 271

About this episode

This episode explores the intersection of eating disorders, neurodivergence, and the LGBTQIA+ community with insights from psychologist Dr. Lauren Lovegood.

Have you ever felt like you’re constantly trying to "fit into a box" that just wasn't made for you? This week on the Full of Beans Podcast, Han is joined by Dr. Lauren Lovegood, a psychologist who specialises in the intersection of Eating Disorders, Neurodiversity (ADHD/Autism), and the LGBTQ+ community. We talk about the "internal sense of difference" that so many of us feel growing up and how, sometimes, an eating disorder can sneak in as a way to find control, "mask" our true selves, or even seek out that much-needed dopamine. In this episode, we explore: The Treatment Spectrum: Why anorexia is actually a much smaller piece of the ED puzzle than society thinks. Identity & Belonging: The unique challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community and how gender-affirming care can coexist with a healthy body image. The Neurodivergent Brain: Why "Executive Function" makes university transitions so tricky and why your "fidgety brain" might be driving your food behaviours. Gender Affirming Care: We discuss the desire to align our physical bodies with our internal identity. The Glorification of Weight Loss: Exploring the challenges of restrictive behaviours in the queer community to cause a…

People in this episode

Host: Hannah Hickinbotham

Guest: Dr. Lauren Lovegood

Topics covered

  • Eating Disorders
  • Neurodiversity
  • LGBTQ+ community
  • Identity and Belonging
  • Gender Affirming Care
  • Self-Esteem
  • Food Behaviours

Keywords

  • eating disorders
  • neurodiversity
  • LGBTQ+
  • identity
  • gender-affirming care
  • self-esteem
  • food behaviours

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: LGBTQ+, ADHD, Autism, Eating Disorders

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