A Journey Through Eating Disorders Support & Recovery

My name is Leah Wypych and I am the Chair of the Board of Directors for The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness. As many know, and some may assume, I am in recovery from my eating disorder. Many also assume this is the reason for my drive and passion to help anyone struggling with an eating disorder. They are mostly…

When I started my military career, the thought of me developing an eating disorder was improbable and impossible. Less than a year later, a near-death experience as a volunteer firefighter triggered the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which was accompanied by depression, anxiety, and ultimately an eating disorder. My eating disorder initially presented as a renewed interest in intentional…

For many who struggle with an eating disorder, the state officials’ mandate of practicing social distancing can feel like a complete juxtaposition with having access to a kitchen full of food at home (California Department of Public Health, 2020). This can trigger feelings of helplessness, extreme fear, and even rage that can make it extraordinarily difficult to refrain from restricting,…

Are we wired for parental guilt? I remember the moment I found out I was pregnant, my initial rush of joy and excitement was quickly stolen by pangs of guilt... “Have I been on prenatal vitamins long enough?” More broadly understood as the age-old parenting question: “Have I screwed them up?” Those little moments have continued: “Is he too young…

As we all continue to limit social interactions with those outside of our immediate household, LGBTQ+ youth in recovery face unique stressors that may pose a barrier to recovery. For some LGBTQ+ youth, friends, community centers, and even school can be a safe haven to express themselves freely. When home does not feel like an affirming environment, LGBTQ+ youth may…

The COVID-19 pandemic has created stress on our internal infrastructure, disrupting our food systems. Every time I go to the grocery store now, and see the empty and picked through shelves, I cannot help but think about my patients and other individuals struggling with or in recovery from an eating disorder. I think about the strain this may be causing…

I never thought I would be making a post about the importance of advocating for your mental health when it comes to speaking to a health professional, but here it goes. Hi, my name is Cassie and I have an eating disorder. It is a lesser known eating disorder at that; it’s called, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, or ARFID. People…

When I was in high school and first started struggling with “eating issues,” as my family labeled it, my parents had no clue what to do, nor how to find help for me. By chance, they found a counselor who was knowledgeable about eating disorders and who helped me immensely until I went off to college. As I headed off…

Toxic diet culture and personal insecurities—how are they related? When others and I talk about toxic diet culture, we are referring to any programs that encourage extreme weight loss, require restricting yourself, and suggest cutting calories and working out more, as well as programs that advertise weight loss pills and shakes. All of these products and programs promote a supposed…

If you’ve never heard the term "joyful movement," that's okay. Movement is another way of describing physical activity or what one would typically refer to as exercising. Joyful movement is moving in ways that feel good and that we find pleasure in because we love and respect our bodies. It is not exercising to punish our bodies or exercising for…