A Journey Through Eating Disorders Support & Recovery

Before Stacy Jones was diagnosed with an eating disorder, she struggled with a related but separate issue: body dysmorphia. Body dysmorphia, also known as body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), is a mental health condition in which a person can’t see themselves objectively, and instead fixates on certain body parts or “flaws” in their appearance. “I had no idea what my body…

In our appearance-obsessed culture, exercise is often portrayed as a means to attain the “perfect” body, rather than a practice that can nourish your mind and body in ways unrelated to weight, shape, or size. As a result, societal pressures often distort the true value and potential benefits of physical activity, leading to unhealthy attitudes and behaviors related to exercise.…

Life is full of ups and downs. But if a single, recurring, or even abstract situation becomes overwhelming or too stressful, the body can signal a trauma response. Living with trauma often means that your nervous system is more easily triggered into a state of distress. Eating disorders (such as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder) can develop as…

*CW* Mentions of eating disorder behaviors. Millions of people are hiding an eating disorder every day. Despite affecting nearly 29 million Americans over their lifetimes, the majority never receive treatment, resulting in a heartbreaking loss every 52 minutes. People with eating disorders often become experts at hiding their struggles. They might avoid eating in front of others, make excuses to…

The terms dietitian, nutritionist, and nutrition coach are often used interchangeably -- but they are not the same. A dietitian, or registered dietitian, has had extensive education, specialized coursework, an internship and a national exam, along with continuing education and state licensure. They provide expert nutrition education, create personalized meal plans, and collaborate with other health care providers. With a…

Eating disorders impact the lives of millions of people. Conditions like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, OSFED, and binge eating disorder can take a toll on a person’s health and wellbeing in many ways, and can lead to challenging health concerns. One challenge individuals experiencing eating disorders may struggle with is fertility. This intersection of two very personal journeys, an eating…

Many eating disorder triggers tend to intensify around spring break and the summer months that follow. This poses significant challenges for individuals with a history of eating disorders and/or body image dissatisfaction. For people with eating disorders, the summer months can be incredibly challenging. Maintaining recovery from an eating disorder requires consistent effort, vigilance, and support. Experiencing setbacks in recovery…

Living with an eating disorder is incredibly challenging and can ultimately be life-threatening. These conditions intertwine mental and physical health in complex ways. Caused by a range of factors, involving genetic, societal, environmental, and other influences, treating these disorders can be equally as nuanced. Individualized and holistic approaches are increasingly effective in addressing these disorders' unique aspects. This article explores…

A quick online search for “signs of an eating disorder” delivers you countless websites listing warning signs and common symptoms, but these lists aren’t comprehensive. And while many signs of an eating disorder are pretty intuitive and might raise eyebrows on their own—like, say, significant changes in body weight and extreme dieting—many others are less obvious, and often go unnoticed.…

As summer approaches, individuals struggling with eating disorders may experience an increase in anxiety. With summer comes holiday gatherings, a focus on body image and food, and plenty to compare ourselves to on social media. This time of year also coincides with more students seeking eating disorder treatment in their months off from school. This may stem from a variety…