A Journey Through Eating Disorders Support & Recovery

Eating disorders are often thought of in terms of discernible symptoms like eating behaviors and relationships to food and body. But beneath the more-visible symptoms lies a deeper, less obvious story playing out inside the brain. As neuroimaging techniques have advanced, researchers are uncovering real, measurable differences in brain structure, function, and connectivity in people who experience eating disorders. This…

When we think of the military, images of discipline, strength, and resilience often come to mind. Service members are trained to push their physical and mental limits, operating under immense pressure to perform and conform to high standards. However, underlying the responsibilities of uniformed service and duty, there exists a frequently unspoken struggle with eating disorders. The Unseen Enemy Eating…

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…