Singing And Eating Disorders
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Arts Entertainment -> subcategory Poetry.
Singing and Eating Disorders
Eating disorders have become increasingly prevalent, particularly affecting those in the entertainment industry who face heightened media scrutiny. Singers, in particular, are vulnerable to these hidden and debilitating illnesses, which can severely impact their vocal potential. Why? Because an eating disorder affects:
- Breathing (Power)
- Tone (Path through an open throat)
- Communication (Performance)
With an eating disorder, everything essential to vocal training?"what I teach in Power, Path & Performance?"is compromised, causing difficult-to-diagnose issues.
In working with Jenni Schaefer, an individual who recovered from anorexia and bulimia, I have seen these challenges firsthand. Jenni's unique therapeutic approach treated her eating disorder as a relationship, naming it "Ed" (for "eating disorder"). We co-wrote the song "Life Without Ed," which shares a title with her McGraw-Hill book, endorsed by Dr. Phil.
Jenni's Journey
Upon our first meeting, Jenni exhibited a strange numbness. Her physical demeanor?"slumped shoulders, locked jaw, and lifeless limbs?"left her voice thin and colorless, with limited range and disruptions. Despite attempts to help, she struggled with ribcage expansion and proper breathing.
Jenni describes, "With Ed, I felt like a floating head, disconnected from my body and emotions. Moving, even a little, was a challenge."
Connecting emotionally to songs was difficult for Jenni. When asked to imagine singing "Valentine's Day" to someone she loved, she couldn't identify anyone until she thought of children in a cancer ward, where she had worked. Curiously, she preferred that I didn't watch her sing.
"Singing requires emotional connection," Jenni explains. "Ed numbed those feelings, making emotional expression foreign and terrifying."
The Struggle for Improvement
Jenni often felt deflated and lacked energy due to her eating disorder, leaving little for singing. She sought help, and while her strength grew, vocal lessons remained challenging. Jenni developed a diaphragmatic spasm, a condition untraceable to physical causes, which eventually dissipated as she embraced new breathing techniques.
"Anorexia's perfectionism made me focus on being perfect rather than conveying a message," Jenni recalls.
Her progress was gradual, filled with setbacks. Overwhelmed by criticism, Jenni sometimes reacted with unexpected anger, revealing the internal criticism characteristic of eating disorders.
Despite these hurdles, our trust helped her persevere. Even when depression struck, causing her to withdraw from singing, Jenni battled through with courage.
"Depression often accompanies eating disorders," she says. "Singing felt too vulnerable, threatening to expose emotions Ed wanted to suppress."
Finding Her Voice
Eventually, Jenni's recovery solidified, and each lesson marked a breakthrough. With performance coach Diane Kimbrough's advice to focus on audience emotions rather than revisiting personal ones, Jenni's perspective shifted.
She stopped looking inward, using her voice to connect with others. Her performances are now powerful and emotive, resonating with joy, frustration, anger, and love.
Today, Jenni sings and speaks nationwide, sharing her story to show that recovery is possible. Her laughter is a testament to triumph over Ed.
For anyone struggling with an eating disorder, remember?"it's never too late to seek help, start healing, and find your voice.
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