A Journey Through Eating Disorders Support & Recovery

If you’ve been told you need residential treatment, you may feel torn. The idea of leaving your town—or even your state—can feel overwhelming. You’re not alone in that hesitation. Deciding to enter residential care can be one of the hardest choices people and families make. Concerns about leaving school or work, paying for treatment, and being away from loved ones…

Eating disorder statistics reveal just how serious these illnesses are. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), and binge eating disorder (BED) all carry significant health risks; deaths from eating disorders are often linked to medical complications or suicide. A review of the latest eating disorder stats emphasizes the urgent need for early intervention, compassionate support, and access…

What exactly is expressive arts therapy? At its core, expressive arts therapy involves the use of creative art forms like drawing, painting, writing, movement, or even acting to help individuals process and communicate difficult emotions. It provides an alternative and often powerful way of expressing feelings for those who struggle to articulate them verbally. The premise is simple: by tapping…

What is Refeeding Syndrome? Refeeding syndrome is a serious and potentially fatal complication of nutritional rehabilitation. It occurs in significantly malnourished patients when a diet of increasing calories is initiated orally, enterally, or parenterally. Refeeding syndrome can cause: Cardiovascular issues Respiratory failure Seizures Death Refeeding Syndrome Definition The most recent definition of refeeding syndrome proposed by the American Society for…

For a young person in eating disorder recovery, going back to school—whether at the end of summer or after taking time off for treatment—can be a cause for celebration. It’s a milestone of progress, a chance to reconnect with friends and activities, and a return to some semblance of normalcy. But it can also be fraught with challenges, not the…

What is Lanugo? Lanugo is a soft, light coating of hair on the face and body. Lanugo commonly appears on the skin of newborns to help regulate body temperature. But when lanugo shows up on an adolescent or adult, it can be a sign of an eating disorder called anorexia nervosa [1]. In individuals with anorexia nervosa, lanugo often appears…

Eating disorders are serious, often life-threatening conditions that affect many individuals, including teens. While eating disorders are typically associated with early adulthood, the reality is that they often begin much earlier, even as young as six years old. Early intervention and treatment are essential for a successful recovery. If you're considering eating disorder treatment for your teen, it's crucial to…

Food and health dominate today’s cultural conversation. Scroll through any social media platform and you’ll be bombarded by “What I Eat in a Day” videos, recipe reels, and wellness influencers promoting food rules that promise everything from glowing skin to perfect gut health. On the surface, these messages may appear to be harmless inspiration. But those of us in the…

Purging affects all major organ systems. Side effects of purging range from clinically insignificant presentations in the eyes to serious dental, gastrointestinal, cardiac and metabolic complications, some of which may continue to persist even have purging stops. Purging and Eating Disorders Compensatory behaviors are any eating disorder behaviors used to compensate for food intake, prevent weight gain or to relieve…

When most people hear about eating disorders, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa often come to mind first. In more recent years, binge eating disorder (BED) has also become better understood. Yet there are other types that remain under the radar: ARFID, diabulimia, and orthorexia. Though each is clinically distinct, they share something in common: insufficient awareness frequently leads to missed…