Page 3 | AMA with author Hadley Freeman - Tuesday 23rd

NicolaDMumsnet · 2023-05-22T16:17:24+00:00

Hello, We’re pleased to announce that author Hadley Freeman will be doing an AMA *tomorrow evening (Tuesday 23rd)* in the wake of [[https://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-Girls-story-study-anorexia/dp/0008322678?&linkCode=ll1&tag=hadleyfreemanama-21 her latest book]] 'Good Girls: A Story and Study of Anorexia'. Good Girls is a searing and powerful memoir about mental ill health and her experience with anorexia. Hadley is a columnist and writer for the Sunday Times, and was previously a staff writer for The Guardian since 2000, where she won several journalism awards. She is the author of several books including House of Glass, a Sunday Times bestseller. *The AMA is now open for questions .* Please do post your questions below. Thanks, MNHQ.

MrDrEvilPorkChopToYou · 23/05/2023 19:08

Hi Hadley - how great to see you here!

I just wondered whether you are optimistic right now with the way things are moving with the gender critical standpoint? It seems like light is being shed on a lot of the misogyny and people are beginning to wake up - but then I’ve never sure whether that’s my own echo-chamber sounding, iykwim?

UsethisUsername · 23/05/2023 19:09

What is the second best movie from the 80s?

Expert

HadleyF · 23/05/2023 19:13

UsethisUsername · 23/05/2023 19:09

What is the second best movie from the 80s?

I'm very bad at narrowing things down into lists, which is why my two favourite 80s movies are Ghostbusters and Ferris Bueller. Genuinely impossible for me to choose between them.
As for second best 80s movies, I'd say it's a tie between When Harry Met Sally and Say Anything. But I accept that I'm cheating quite a lot here

Experts' posts:

SUPsUP · 23/05/2023 19:13

I’m so glad you are well.
do you think the social contagion element if anorexia (I went to a girls school in the 90s and remember how it took hold of some friendship groups) had become less of a factor - or has it all moved to online chat groups?

Redheadredemption · 23/05/2023 19:15

I can see you have already responded to a poster re the link between ASD and EDs (ARFID becoming a much better understood feature of some young people and adults with autism). Thank you for your advice there.

My question is about the apparent strong links and co-morbidity between ADHD and eating disorders. Clinicians I work with would say that almost all females in in-patient eating disorder (or, incidentally, OCD) units have or are likely to receive a diagnosis of ADHD.

What is your view on understanding anorexia through the lens of neurodivergence?

I ask as both a professional in the field and as an adult female who recovered from anorexia and subsequently, as an adult, was diagnosed with ADHD, which explained a significant amount.

UsethisUsername · 23/05/2023 19:15

Thanks for answering my movie question Hadley!

TaraHill · 23/05/2023 19:16

Just wanted to say I love your writing Hadley and thanks for standing up for women’s rights. I especially loved your piece on Wagatha Christie 😅. I know you love 80s films, have you seen anything good recently that you’d recommend? I used to love going to the cinema but can’t deal with all the superhero movies… Sorry not a very profound question!

Expert

HadleyF · 23/05/2023 19:18

SUPsUP · 23/05/2023 19:13

I’m so glad you are well.
do you think the social contagion element if anorexia (I went to a girls school in the 90s and remember how it took hold of some friendship groups) had become less of a factor - or has it all moved to online chat groups?

Thanks @SUPsUP
I don't think you can ever discount social contagion as a factor, whether it's about eating disorders or something as benign as fashion trends. Humans are social creatures and we copy each other. It seems to me that it's more of a factor about gender issues these days in girls' schools, but I'm sure it also plays a part in eating disorders

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UsethisUsername · 23/05/2023 19:24

Sorry another question from me please; do you ever think you will write fiction?

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HadleyF · 23/05/2023 19:25

Redheadredemption · 23/05/2023 19:15

I can see you have already responded to a poster re the link between ASD and EDs (ARFID becoming a much better understood feature of some young people and adults with autism). Thank you for your advice there.

My question is about the apparent strong links and co-morbidity between ADHD and eating disorders. Clinicians I work with would say that almost all females in in-patient eating disorder (or, incidentally, OCD) units have or are likely to receive a diagnosis of ADHD.

What is your view on understanding anorexia through the lens of neurodivergence?

I ask as both a professional in the field and as an adult female who recovered from anorexia and subsequently, as an adult, was diagnosed with ADHD, which explained a significant amount.

I've written a bit about the overlaps between anorexia and neurodivergence in my book, and particularly how some doctors think that anorexia may be a female form of ASD. Or, to be more precise, that they were misdiagnosed as children, because ASD tests tend to be formulated for boys, and then when puberty hit, their ASD took the form of anorexia.
I hadn't heard about the connection with ADHD and that's interesting what you say about women on ED wards often testing positive for ADHD. I would qualify that with something a doctor says in my book, which is that it's very hard to test for comorbidities when a patient is severely underweight, as women on ED wards tend to be. For example, one study found a high rate of ASD on an ED ward, but another doctor pointed out that the symptoms of ASD - a lack of empathy, rigidity, solitude, etc - are also side effects of starvation. So I'm not sure how you'd separate the symptoms of ADHD from the side effects of starvation.
But, as in all things, it's not all one thing or another. I have no doubt that some anorexics are also ADHD and neurodivergent and they hadn't been diagnosed, and this may have contributed to them developing an ED later in life.

Experts' posts:

Expert

HadleyF · 23/05/2023 19:33

TaraHill · 23/05/2023 19:16

Just wanted to say I love your writing Hadley and thanks for standing up for women’s rights. I especially loved your piece on Wagatha Christie 😅. I know you love 80s films, have you seen anything good recently that you’d recommend? I used to love going to the cinema but can’t deal with all the superhero movies… Sorry not a very profound question!

Aw thanks @TaraHill !
Yes, it's a drag, isn't it, all the superhero CGI guff. There are good films around - I loved The Souvenir movies and Aftersun. But it's kind of all about boxsets these days, isn't it? The Offer is SO good and Colin from Accounts is BEYOND

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arricu · 23/05/2023 19:38

Hello Hadley, I absolutely loved House of Glass, it was a riveting read. You had some very interesting ancestors, even if they often suffered so very much.

I’m looking forward to reading your new book.

Thank god you came out as GC, it’s reassuring to know there are pockets of thoughtfulness and resistance.

What what will you write a book on next?No pressure!

Are you concerned that AI will takeover your jobs and be capable of original thought and interesting prose?

whenindoubtgotothelibrary · 23/05/2023 19:39

As a parent of teenagers and in my professional life working with girls with ASD it has been a challenging few years. No questions, but another one wanting to thank you for your excellent and thoughtful writing on difficult topics.

arricu · 23/05/2023 19:40

Oh and of course what have you read recently? Will you go on Sara Cox’s book show?

TaraHill · 23/05/2023 19:40

Thanks so much @HadleyF ! I will have a look at those, the only one I have heard of is Aftersun which so must see because I am still a bit obsessed Normal People - I don’t know why I feel like that show gave me teenage PTSD or something. I hope you get a good night’s sleep (I saw on Twitter you said you were tired today - sorry I do pretty much hang on every word you say 🙈).

Expert

HadleyF · 23/05/2023 19:44

arricu · 23/05/2023 19:38

Hello Hadley, I absolutely loved House of Glass, it was a riveting read. You had some very interesting ancestors, even if they often suffered so very much.

I’m looking forward to reading your new book.

Thank god you came out as GC, it’s reassuring to know there are pockets of thoughtfulness and resistance.

What what will you write a book on next?No pressure!

Are you concerned that AI will takeover your jobs and be capable of original thought and interesting prose?

Thank you @arricu
God, I have no idea what i'll write about next. I definitely feel like I've pillaged enough of my life by now. Not sure there's anything left to feast on anyway.
As for AI, yes, it probably will take over some aspects of journalism. But I feel about AI the way I feel about CGI - it's just not that interesting. I always prefer the shonky special effects in 1970s and 80s movies to the slick superhero ones today. They're so much more charming, and I find the same with human thoughts vs AI

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IcakethereforeIam · 23/05/2023 19:44

Sorry, bit of a banal question. There's a thread on FWR at the moment. What would you do if you woke up and you were male? Well?

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HadleyF · 23/05/2023 19:48

IcakethereforeIam · 23/05/2023 19:44

Sorry, bit of a banal question. There's a thread on FWR at the moment. What would you do if you woke up and you were male? Well?

Steve Martin once said he could never be a woman because he'd stay home and play with his breasts all day. I'd probably do the equivalent.

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ArabeIIaScott · 23/05/2023 19:48

Yay, Hadley! Thank you for all your bravery and advocacy for women and girls.

What are you planning next, career wise?

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HadleyF · 23/05/2023 19:50

arricu · 23/05/2023 19:40

Oh and of course what have you read recently? Will you go on Sara Cox’s book show?

I just finished a memoir My Friend Anne Frank by Hannah Pick-Goslar, because I'm reviewing it for the Sunday Times. And I haven't just read it, but I'll mention it because I love it - I'm Sorry You Feel That Way by Rebecca Wait, which I ADORED.
I'd love to but I haven't been asked!

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HadleyF · 23/05/2023 19:50

ArabeIIaScott · 23/05/2023 19:48

Yay, Hadley! Thank you for all your bravery and advocacy for women and girls.

What are you planning next, career wise?

Thanks @ArabeIIaScott
God, hopefully staying exactly where I am. I reckon I've had enough professional upheaval for now!

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Expert

HadleyF · 23/05/2023 19:51

UsethisUsername · 23/05/2023 19:24

Sorry another question from me please; do you ever think you will write fiction?

Thanks @UsethisUsername
I always thought I would, but I doubt it now. Writing fiction turns out to be really, really, really hard. It never ceases to amaze me how many people do it

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Einevinefine · 23/05/2023 19:53

Thank you for your advice and kind words.

Bowednotbroken · 23/05/2023 19:54

Hello Hadley. I'm a big fan of your columns and really appreciate your common sense attitude towards gender ideology. Do you think you might write a book on that? I would certainly read it!

Marmighty · 23/05/2023 19:55

I'm a big fan Hadley!

Lighthearted question from me: how much of a consumer of and/or contributor to mumsnet have you been before today?