When people see a fire burning, they run away as fast as they can, screaming “fire”, so that someone else can extinguish it. What’s the point of running into a burning house without the proper equipment to put it out? For most of my life, the kitchen was my fire—it scared the living sh*t out of me. At the same time, I had been brought up to love it. I was born to Ecuadorian and…

I was 20 years old when I found out I was Autistic. At that point, I was already four years into a battle with an eating disorder I didn’t know I had. My food issues started early in my life. Like many Autistics, I had severe aversions to certain smells, textures, and flavors. My hunger signals didn’t work well, and I was also intolerant to the feeling of being hungry. To this day, I do…

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 accurate. At age 32, I was diagnosed with stage III-B breast cancer. The biggest lump…

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 movement and mindful eating, proving that “wellness” can be a dangerous thing. My story is…

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, binging, and/or purging food by various means. I have heard many clients with eating disorder…