Why the Word “Ob*sity” is Fatphobic

CW: Mentions of "ob*sity" - While we absolutely do not support the use of weight stigmatizing language, the terms "ob*sity"…

Anyone can have an eating disorder. While conversations about eating disorders tend to focus on the significant social pressures women…

At the National Alliance for Eating Disorders (“The Alliance”), our mission is to create better access to education, referrals, and…

Recovering from an eating disorder requires an immense amount of courage, strength, and bravery. It is not something that happens…

Oh, the holidays – a time that means so much to so many. Twinkling lights, bustling bodies, gift-wrapping galore, and…

Apparently it’s November again (Mentally: Still in March 2020), and we are approaching another holiday season. The holidays can be…

In the United States, turning “21” represents growing up, coming of age, and taking ownership of your identity as you…

Growth in the fire “This will make you better.” Every time I asked why-- Why me? Why did I develop…

I ran into the word resiliency while I was on social media. It was a reminder of something I wanted…

Many eating disorders, such as Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa, are well-known even among non-medical professionals and oftentimes easy to…

“What do you need?” On the days I find myself on the therapy couch overwhelmed, overworked, anxious, and spinning, my…

The past year has permanently changed my life, and not just for reasons relating to the pandemic. In May of…

What is The Communité? The Communité is a monthly eating disorder recovery newsletter filled with guest blog posts, recovery wins,…

Body image issues are often the most difficult aspect of eating disorder recovery to overcome. Dialogue around eating disorders and…

The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness’ Founder + CEO, Johanna Kandel, recently sat down with Renowned Singer, Actress, and Activist,…

TRUST the process, then EMBRACE the process, and eventually ENJOY the process. Those words are written on the inside cover…

About ten years ago, I was taking part in an evening of live music and meditation as a part of…

At The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness, we are proud to announce our membership with The Mental Health Coalition. Together,…

Even before my eating disorder made its first official “debut” with symptoms in my senior year of high school, I…

As of mid-April 2021, more than 23 million vaccines have been administered in California and the state’s Covid-19 positivity rate…

A few years ago, I couldn’t imagine recovering from my eating disorder, let alone working as a professional in the…

If, as I’ve come to know, recovery from an eating disorder is a process, then transitions are the bridges we…

How do we know when disordered eating becomes an eating disorder? Disordered eating does not interfere with one’s ability to…

1 in 5 U.S. adults experiences mental illness each year. With the COVID-19 pandemic, some experts are estimating that number…

It is an exciting time in the world of brain and mental health research. Over the past few years, there…

Life without hardships? Well, that’s not something that anyone can promise you. There will surely be times that you don’t…

The Alliance’s call to action of Not One More is vital to allowing new awareness to emerge and grow. I…

For many of us, this past year marked an unprecedented loss of normalcy and control – beyond our comprehension. We’ve…

Did you know that 29 million Americans will experience a clinically significant eating disorder during their lifetime? Yet, only one-third…

Having hope while in recovery can feel easy on some days and much harder on others; sometimes tangible and ripe,…

The year 2020 has been filled with countless challenges, obstacles, and opportunities for inner growth. Let’s be real, I don’t…

It was the perfect Christmas – I began the season at a party with my dear friends, took advantage of…

Long before therapy, dietitian, and group appointments, my parents took me to countless doctors appointments because of my disability. I…

A quote by N.R. Walker says, “Whenever you find yourself doubting how far you can go, just remember how far…

I want to first thank my beautiful community at The Alliance for asking me to take the time to write…

For the past five years, I called New York City home, a home I worked hard to build for myself.…

“Tell the story of the mountain you climbed. Your words could become a page in someone else’s survival guide”- Morgan…

“Feed them and they will come.” This is the mantra of many churches and religious organizations. Growing up, a church…

Transitions can be incredibly challenging, especially while in recovery. Change tends to go hand in hand with discomfort, disruption of…

I suffered from the afflictions of an eating disorder for three years. I wanted to take the time to get…

Reasons alum, Rachel S., shares how becoming a mom changed her, and ultimately inspired her to seek the treatment she…

I was 20 years old when I found out I was Autistic. At that point, I was already four years…

My name is Leah Wypych and I am the Chair of the Board of Directors for The Alliance for Eating…

When I started my military career, the thought of me developing an eating disorder was improbable and impossible. Less than…

For many who struggle with an eating disorder, the state officials’ mandate of practicing social distancing can feel like a…

Are we wired for parental guilt? I remember the moment I found out I was pregnant, my initial rush of…

As we all continue to limit social interactions with those outside of our immediate household, LGBTQ+ youth in recovery face…

The COVID-19 pandemic has created stress on our internal infrastructure, disrupting our food systems. Every time I go to the…

I never thought I would be making a post about the importance of advocating for your mental health when it…

When I was in high school and first started struggling with “eating issues,” as my family labeled it, my parents…

Toxic diet culture and personal insecurities—how are they related? When others and I talk about toxic diet culture, we are…

If you’ve never heard the term "joyful movement," that's okay. Movement is another way of describing physical activity or what…

“Mirror mirror on the wall, You don’t get to make the call Of who I am, or how I see,…

When shelter in place became official, so did my status as a dog owner. Not exactly what I was expecting…

I have been searching and yearning for joy and laughter in my journey of eating disorder recovery. I couldn’t remember…

Spring has sprung! Sort of, anyway. After the longest winters of the longest winters with a side-order of quarantine, many…

There’s a reason you ended up on this site. Whether you have a loved one with an eating disorder, you…

Are we going to make it through this time? Of course we are. We have already survived so much and…

Dear Athletes Endeavoring to Navigate this Current Global Crisis, To the competitors that were at the height of their careers,…

It seems safe to say that this past month has rocked our world. We worry for the health and safety…

My smartwatch keeps telling me my heart rate is elevated these days. It also keeps alerting me about a new…

As we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and begin to define our “new normal”, it’s important to acknowledge the impact these…

I used to think that recovery was getting to a place in my life where I was no longer engaging…

We are in a situation that most of us have never experienced. Amidst strict CDC recommendations to help contain the…

Today I celebrate four years recovered, four years free from my demons, four years of living life without my eating…

If you’ve been working on recovery from your eating disorder, you are probably well aware of the importance of staying…

I’ve loved ballet for as long as I can remember. As a toddler, I would use the safety rail on…

When times get hard, especially like the trying times we're going through now, it can be easy to allow anxiety…

The rules governing an eating disorder include a focus on body distortions, obsessive thoughts and a quest for perfection. When…

Movement and exercise play a complicated but important role in eating disorder treatment. Exercise, perhaps more than any other aspect…

For those living with an eating disorder, maybe 2020 can be the year you start to work toward recovery. No…

"Why a New Year does NOT mean a New YOU!" New year, new you? NOPE! It is the time of…

As we celebrate the holidays, we are reunited with many family members and loved ones. We know from experience as…

I’m sure we’ve all heard the song, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. No matter what holiday(s) you…

Four Tips for Reducing Negative Self-Talk “I’m so disgusting. There’s no way I am going to this party tonight. All…

Today, Southern Smash turns seven! I often get asked, “How did you start Southern Smash? How did you make it…

The beginning of fall is often associated with the start of a new school year and for many the transition…

Let’s keep it real, everyone wants to look good in whatever they’re wearing. Growing up, for others, affording a pair…

Not surprisingly, a major focus of therapy for people who have eating disorders is helping them to develop healthier ways…

I often ask my clients to think of their meal plan like the blueprints for building a house. Some parts…

Experiencing a significant loss such as losing a loved one, a pet, a relationship, or a job can bring on…

It is likely you have been on either or both sides of this conversation. Most of us have found ourselves…

Eating disorders can be consuming and overwhelming. The process of recovery is often described as a roller-coaster of emotions that…

We all have our idiosyncrasies around eating. So when do our behaviors around eating become a problem? When are our…

I Walk for my family and the millions of families who have been experienced the devastation of a loved one…

It seems like I am experiencing my feelings, now that I am no longer binging and purging my emotions”. This…

I've read numerous articles about parental support and involvement in recovery for their loved ones with eating disorders. There's an…

My story and recovery journey are a winding road, sometimes confusing, even to me.  But luckily, I look forward to…

Are you finding an increase in anxiety due to the start of the holiday season? What comes to mind when…

The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness is proud to once again be named one of the 2019 Extraordinary Charities of…

The treatment of eating disorders is one of healthcare’s most complex therapeutic pathways. Helping patients achieve recovery requires a sustained,…

Sometimes I succeeded at motherhood and sometimes I failed – yet, always, I gave it my best try. By the…

I don't have a Sam's club card, and sometimes, if I want to go, I'll show up to the warehouse,…

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer For individuals…