A Journey Through Eating Disorders Support & Recovery

A few years ago, I couldn’t imagine recovering from my eating disorder, let alone working as a professional in the field. I was deep in my disorder, and I spent the majority of my time comparing myself and my body to those around me – especially to those who also suffered from their own disorder. Fast forward to today: I…

If, as I’ve come to know, recovery from an eating disorder is a process, then transitions are the bridges we build between each phase of the process. They need nurturing and patience and require planning and attention because they play an integral role on the path to recovery. The transition bridges we build carry the weight of the moment and…

How do we know when disordered eating becomes an eating disorder? Disordered eating does not interfere with one’s ability to function, but may include irregular eating patterns along with judgment around food and/or body. Eating disorders, on the other hand, represent a wide range of behaviors involving food and eating and impair one’s health and ability to function in terms…

1 in 5 U.S. adults experiences mental illness each year. With the COVID-19 pandemic, some experts are estimating that number may be inching closer to 1 in 3. Ongoing research conducted by the Pew Research Center indicates that, since the start of the pandemic, more than 20% of U.S. adults report experiencing high levels of psychological distress. These symptoms include…

It is an exciting time in the world of brain and mental health research. Over the past few years, there has been an exponential increase in research findings in the neurobiology and genetics of mental health disorders. While we have known for decades that mental disorders are related to dysfunction in brain pathways, we are now able to say that…

Life without hardships? Well, that’s not something that anyone can promise you. There will surely be times that you don’t know what you to do. It seems that no matter how well you plan for the best days, life has its own twist, turns, and unpredictable ways. No one can map out every single venture or space. It’s like a…

The Alliance’s call to action of Not One More is vital to allowing new awareness to emerge and grow. I wonder though, in the first moments of hearing “not one more,” is it possible that some of us may experience frustration and fear rising, causing a cloud of fog to emerge that keeps us from believing in the power of…

For many of us, this past year marked an unprecedented loss of normalcy and control – beyond our comprehension. We’ve borne witness to the loss of hope and desperation of loved ones and community members. We’ve had to create a new sense of safety, structure, and routine. Likewise, for those who struggle with eating disorders, the pandemic has been particularly…

When I look up the meaning of Lost, this is what I find: “Unable to find one’s way; not knowing one’s whereabouts. Denoting something that has been taken away or cannot be recovered. Very confused or insecure or in great difficulties. Having perished or been destroyed” (from Oxford Languages). These definitions really do sum up life stuck in an eating…

When I see the phrase “Not One More”, I admit that the first thing that comes to mind are questions. Can we really achieve the goal of “Not One More”? Especially as it pertains to mental health. So many people struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, substance abuse, and other debilitating and life-threatening illnesses. How do we fix it…