A Journey Through Eating Disorders Support & Recovery

Body image issues are a growing concern for adolescents, and parents and family play a crucial role in shaping their children's self-perceptions. While social media is often blamed for promoting unrealistic beauty standards, parental attitudes and behaviors are also significant contributors to body image concerns. Understanding the impact parents have on their children's self-esteem and eating habits can help children…

On October 25, 2024, Meta and the National Alliance for Eating Disorders hosted the first-ever Eating Disorder & Body Image Safety Summit, a collaborative initiative dedicated to creating safer online spaces for individuals impacted by eating disorders and body image concerns. This one-of-a-kind summit brought together voices from various fields, including clinicians, policy experts, advocates, and creators, each driven by…

Eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors are dangerous conditions, and they’re on the rise. (1) A number of factors contribute to the development of eating disorders, including psychological, biological, and environmental considerations. But an issue that’s gaining increasing attention is body shaming. A form of bullying, this behavior is a double-edged sword, working to both target and torment individuals and…

You look in the mirror for what feels like all hours of the day. You cannot stop fixating on your perceived “flaws,” frequently examining your face for blemishes and picking at your skin to try to make it look “smooth.” These near-constant thoughts about your appearance are taking over your life, affecting your relationships, passions, school, and work. You may…

Animal companions undoubtedly bring us joy. But how much support can we expect from a dog, cat, or horse? Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is the use of trained animals to help patients during their healing process for many types of mental illnesses. AAT can be a beneficial addition to the treatment plan for those living with eating disorders like Anorexia Nervosa,…

Everyone’s experience with an eating disorder is different, making it difficult to know when and how to seek help. You don't need to "hit rock bottom" to ask for support. If you’re feeling shame about food, avoiding meals, experiencing “picky eating,” or having changes in mood – know that recovery is possible. If these symptoms are impacting your daily life,…

Eating disorders can be extremely isolating. This makes sense when you consider that these illnesses thrive in secrecy, and so they protect themselves by cutting people off from others. But the good news is that the reverse is also true: connecting with others can help weaken the eating disorder and support recovery. Eating disorder support groups help those who are…

Recovery from diabulimia (ED-DMT1) is possible with proper, compassionate support. Individuals struggling with diabulimia need to know that diabetes management doesn’t have to revolve around weight loss or restriction. What is Diabulimia? The term “diabulimia” is used to describe co-occurring diabetes and eating disorders. Eating disorder-diabetes Mellitus type 1 (ED-DMT1) describes the dual diagnosis of a person struggling with eating…

Eating disorders (EDs) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are both complex and distressing mental health conditions, each with unique characteristics, yet they often share similar features. Both can cause intense emotional and psychological distress, leading individuals to engage in repetitive behaviors as a way to cope. In many cases, these two disorders co-occur, making diagnosis and treatment more challenging but also…

As Halloween approaches, many of us look forward to traditions like trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving, haunted houses, and themed parties. While these activities can be exciting, they may feel overwhelming for those with a history of eating disorders. The emphasis on candy, costumes, and social events can trigger overwhelming feelings, making it crucial to approach the season with awareness and planning.…