A Journey Through Eating Disorders Support & Recovery

When you or a loved one receives any diagnosis, it’s natural to wonder why. Our brains crave clear answers. But often, healthcare providers can’t always give us the clarity we want. There are so many variables and factors that contribute to our health–both physical and mental. On The Alliance’s blog, we’ve often shared how these mental health conditions develop due…

Endocrine Abnormalities of Anorexia Nervosa Anorexia nervosa and its associated malnutrition and overexercise can cause a range of endocrinological abnormalities. Prolonged starvation impacts the entire endocrine system, impacting the body’s ability to use hormones to control its metabolism, reproduction, growth, and development. Many of these hormonal changes are adaptations to help conserve energy during periods of malnutrition, but they come…

It happens every year as spring turns to summer, as predictable as seasonal allergies: advertisers, marketers, and influencers will start throwing around the phrases “bikini body” and “beach body.” As we're approaching June, it’s likely you’ve already seen a decent number of social media posts, ads, articles, and more imploring you to get your body “summer-ready.” This tactic isn’t new,…

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that affect individuals across all ages, genders, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Despite common misconceptions, these disorders are not simply about food or body image. They are often rooted in emotional distress, trauma, genetic predispositions, or societal pressures. Because of their potentially life-threatening nature, early identification and intervention are critical.  At the National Alliance…

Eating disorders often carry an aura of mystery—steeped in misconceptions that can harm those who need help. Typically, the public might think of a teen girl, painfully thin, turning away from a plate of food. But that image, while it can reflect certain realities, barely scratches the surface of who develops an eating disorder, why, and what the journey to…

Sports are an important part of many adolescents' lives, offering valuable life skills, opportunities for personal growth, and physical health benefits. However, as beneficial as sports can be for young people, there are hidden risks that parents should be aware of, particularly when it comes to athletes and eating disorders. Student-athletes are under unique pressures, and these pressures can sometimes…

Each year on June 2, communities across the globe unite for World Eating Disorders Action DayTM (WEDAD), a collective effort to raise awareness, inspire action, and advocate for those affected by eating disorders. This annual movement brings together individuals, families, clinicians, researchers, and activists in more than forty countries to spotlight the complex realities of eating disorders and demand systemic…

Bradycardia, or low heart rate, is a common and potentially serious complication of eating disorders, affecting up to 95% of individuals with anorexia nervosa. Bradycardia warning signs include fatigue, dizziness, chest pain, and, in severe cases, life-threatening arrhythmias. Distinguishing between bradycardia due to an eating disorder vs. having an "athletic heart" is crucial, as malnourished individuals may require hospitalization for…

When author Glennon Doyle revealed her struggle with anorexia nervosa in 2023, she said that she was shocked by her new diagnosis, having spent years of her life believing she had bulimia nervosa. While it’s easy to wonder how on earth this misdiagnosis could have happened—anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are quite different, aren’t they?—when you look at the driving…

The internet is the modern-day wild, wild west. Within just a few minutes of scrolling on TikTok, you’ll come across several examples of the good, the bad, and the ugly. Among those, you may even stumble upon #SkinnyTok. This hashtag has over half a million posts associated with it, though it reflects an even larger subset of content that glorifies…