A Journey Through Eating Disorders Support & Recovery

I’ve been a therapist for 10 years– and I’m an eating disorders survivor myself. Three years ago, I had my first child. When I went through the process of pregnancy, I was already in a place of solid recovery for many years, which I consider a huge privilege and am forever grateful for the work I did (alongside my therapist…

“Food noise” describes the stream of thoughts around food, meals, cravings, and body image that can sometimes feel overwhelming. While the term has recently gained attention online, these experiences are not new for people navigating eating disorder recovery. A Therapist’s Thoughts on Food Noise Brittany Hayes LCSW, with Eating Recovery Center, explains this concept. She mentions how some level of…

One of the greatest hurdles in eating disorder recovery is the weight of stereotypes. Many individuals fail to recognize their own struggles because of the narrow archetypes imposed by friends, family, and even healthcare providers. Society routinely portrays eating disorders as a monolithic experience affecting only one specific demographic. In reality, these are complex illnesses that can completely blindside people…

Eating disorders affect far more than the individual experiencing them. They often impact parents, siblings, partners, caregivers, and close friends, changing family routines, communication, and relationships. While this can feel overwhelming, it also means that loved ones can play an important role in the recovery process. Family engagement does not mean family members are responsible for causing or "fixing" an…

If you or someone you love is living with an eating disorder, you may already know how much it affects their internal thoughts and emotions. But eating disorders are not just mental health conditions — they are medical illnesses that affect nearly every organ in your body and they can have serious medical complications that may require hospitalization. As a…

The hard truth is that 30 million people will struggle with an eating disorder in their lifetime. This is particularly relevant to college students who are already balancing major life changes. Academic pressures, transitions away from home, and shifting routines can make it harder to manage one’s nutritional needs and care for one’s mental health, especially without access to specialized…

As summer comes to an end, many students and families begin preparing for a new school year. While back-to-school season can bring excitement, it can also introduce stress, uncertainty, and significant changes in routine. For individuals in eating disorder recovery, these transitions may feel particularly challenging. Returning to school often means adjusting to new schedules, academic expectations, social environments, and…

Understanding the Overlap Between Eating Disorders and OCD Eating disorders frequently overlap with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD is a condition that causes obsessions (recurrent thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors). Studies show that about two-thirds of people with eating disorder also have a co-occurring anxiety disorder; of these, one of the most common is OCD. Globally, respectively 18% and 15% of…

The Inspiration Behind Waves of Recovery The idea for Waves of Recovery began while I was listening to an alumna share her story with a group of new patients. As I watched the room respond to her honesty and vulnerability, I remember thinking, “How can I get more people to hear these stories?” Our alumni regularly return to share stories…

There are moments when I catch myself scrolling without even realizing how long I’ve been doing it. A few minutes between meetings. Sitting in the carpool line. Late at night when the house is finally quiet. At first, it feels harmless, even comforting. Social media helps me stay connected to friends and family during a busy season of life filled…