A Journey Through Eating Disorders Support & Recovery

Healing from an eating disorder isn’t a linear process, and recovery doesn’t look like a one-size-fits-all treatment plan. A common misconception—and a harmful one at that—is that a successful recovery is one that doesn’t have any setbacks and is a “complete” recovery. We need to redefine what “success” actually means when it comes to recovering from an eating disorder, shifting…

Why “The Idol,” “Euphoria,” and Other Shows Need to Be More Responsible About ED Representation In recent years, television has leaned harder into darker, more provocative explorations of mental illness, of trauma, of self-harm, and of identity, especially among adolescents. Shows like “Euphoria” and “The Idol” are praised for their boldness, their cinematic aesthetics, and their unflinching look at brokenness.…

Amenorrhea, or the absence of menstruation, affects many individuals with eating disorders due to hormonal disruptions caused by weight loss, malnutrition, and purging. This can lead to complications such as low estrogen, reduced bone density, and fertility concerns, though fertility often normalizes with recovery. Weight restoration and nutritional rehabilitation are key to resuming menstruation. Amenorrhea & Eating Disorders Amenorrhea is…

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an important moment to examine how trauma — including intimate partner violence (IPV) — shapes mental health in ways that often show up as disordered eating. For many people, eating behaviors are not simply about calories or body shape; they can be coping responses to overwhelming emotions, attempts to regain control, or strategies to numb…

Reaching for a late-night snack occasionally is common. But when most calories are consumed in the evening or in the middle of the night, it may signal night eating syndrome (NES), a rare eating disorder. What is Night Eating Syndrome (NES)? Affecting about 1-2% of the population, NES often creates a frustrating cycle of daytime intake followed by nighttime eating.…

Dear Alliance Community, Today, the National Alliance for Eating Disorders turns 25. 25 years?! Even as I sit here to write these words, I honestly cannot believe it. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined I would be here. What began as the most personal of journeys — my own recovery from an eating disorder — has become…

As humans, we learn from others, lean on others, and rely on others to give us hope in times of need. We have a universal need to share and hear each other’s stories, whether for mere entertainment or for a deeper benefit. When it comes to recovering from an eating disorder, hearing stories from others who have been through similarly…

Recovering from an eating disorder is a complex journey, one that often involves challenging long-held beliefs about food, body image, and self-worth. For many individuals in recovery, learning to approach food with a healthy, balanced mindset is one of the most important steps they will take. One of the key principles that can help guide this process is the idea…

Watching a loved one struggle with an eating disorder can be heartbreaking. You may feel helpless, unsure of what to say, or afraid of pushing them away. While eating disorders are serious and complex, recovery is possible—and your support can make a difference. Encouraging someone to seek treatment requires patience, understanding, and a compassionate approach. Here’s how you can help…

When most people hear the phrase “eating disorders,” they often think of adolescents or young adults. Media depictions, research, and even clinical training have long reinforced the stereotype that anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa primarily affect teenagers. But the truth is that older adults also experience eating disorders, sometimes for the first time in mid-life or later-life. Because symptoms in…