A Journey Through Eating Disorders Support & Recovery

Lauren Gerber says she always considered herself to be a fairly obsessive person. But she never identified as someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a mental illness characterized by uncontrollable and recurring thoughts (obsessions), repetitive behaviors (compulsions), or both. She was also never formally diagnosed with the condition—until 15 years after she’d recovered from her eating disorder. Her story is unique,…

Our society continues to perpetuate the myth that eating disorders are an issue primarily affecting young, thin white women. While research on eating disorders in marginalized groups has improved, our society has a long way to go to truly understand the scope of eating disorders within underserved populations. For example, though rates of binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa in…

By reducing mental health stigmas, increasing awareness around the elevated risk of suicide among individuals with eating disorders, and promoting early intervention, prevention and healing are possible. Content Warning: This blog contains information and discussion around the topic of suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health, suicide or substance use crisis, or emotional distress, reach…

Center for Discovery’s Path to Peace Program is a virtual intensive outpatient program (IOP) for adults with binge eating behaviors. The program prioritizes the unveiling of diet cultures' deceptiveness, respecting the wisdom of our patient’s coping strategies, and the program attempts to disrupt the ways that diet culture promotes mistrust in our patient’s bodies. Path to Peace invites patients to…

Some signs of eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) overlap, so it can be hard to know where one starts and the other begins. Both conditions can cause excessive mirror-checking, avoiding social situations due to body image concerns, and seeking reassurance about physical appearance. While eating disorders focus on overall size and shape, BDD can get stuck on specific…

The benefits of athletics are well-established. Participating in organized sports can help you build self-esteem, recognize the value of teamwork, set the foundation for a lifelong physical activity practice, improve mental health, promote social connections, open the doorway for scholarships or even a career, and teach important life skills, such as goal-setting and leadership. However, these positive outcomes come with…

Eating disorders and substance use disorders are mental illnesses – not moral failings. With early detection, treatment intervention, and ongoing support, recovery is possible. Key Points in this Blog Eating disorders (EDs) frequently co-occur with substance use disorders (SUDs). The relationship between these conditions is complex. Genetics, co-occurring mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety), and individual coping mechanisms play a…

Orthorexia is a form of disordered eating characterized by an obsession with “healthy” or “clean” eating, often causing anxiety and extreme rigidity around food choices. Warning signs can include: Preoccupation with ingredient quality Avoiding entire food groups Fear of eating out Anxiety when deviating from strict eating patterns Clean eating is often praised, which can mask orthorexia and lead to…

A new school year is just around the corner which inherently means excitement and nervous jitters for kids and students. And for those in recovery from an eating disorder, the transition may be even more complicated for both the student and parents who may be at a loss for how to offer support for getting back on campus. Transitions are…

Balancing eating disorder recovery during the back-to-school season is possible and can be managed effectively with the right resources and strategies. Many students are gearing up to head back to school or have already made it through their first day. For those struggling with an eating disorder, this season can bring a slew of excitement along with inevitable stressors. Here…