A Journey Through Eating Disorders Support & Recovery

New Year’s often comes with the pressures of perfectionism, unattainable resolutions, and external expectations. Although separating ourselves from this approach to the new year may be difficult, it is possible to reframe our relationship to the significance to the start of a new year. Reframing our relationship to New Years can involve focusing on self-compassion, meaningful progress, and all-around well-being.…

Alexia Davis, a family mentor at Equip, says she knew something was wrong with her loved one who was in eating disorder recovery when certain hallmark symptoms reappeared over the holiday season. “Signs that alerted me to my family member relapsing were going back to old coping skills or habits, such as isolating and limiting their food choices,” Davis says.…

Mental health is a lifelong journey of self-care, regardless of whether you’re a teenager navigating school and relationships or an adult managing work, family, and life pressures. Practical self-care strategies can be incorporated into your routine to help you stay emotionally and mentally balanced. Mental health challenges rarely exist in isolation. Too often, people focus on just one area of…

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is often mistaken for “picky eating” but involves severe food avoidance or restriction. This condition often flies under the radar during childhood, so many adults remain undiagnosed. ARFID in adults includes inflexible eating patterns, fear-based food restrictions, and sensitivity to food textures or appearances. Causes vary, including biological, genetic, psychological, and sociocultural factors. Adults with…

Anyone who has ever lived with an eating disorder likely understands the fact that illnesses like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder (BED) rarely exist in a vacuum. That means eating disorders are often accompanied by other psychiatric and medical conditions, including everything from anxiety to cardiac problems. While depression is one of the most common conditions to…

How to Use Labs to Detect and Treat Refeeding Syndrome The use of labs in the identification and treatment of refeeding syndrome offers insight into what electrolytes and substances are abnormal and how deficiencies need to be addressed. Refeeding syndrome is a potentially fatal shift in fluids and electrolytes, caused by hormonal and metabolic changes that occur in a malnourished…

If you're recovering from an eating disorder, work with your treatment team to determine when it’s appropriate to incorporate mindful movement and exercise back into your routine. If appropriate, reintroduce physical activity gradually and mindfully. Begin with gentle movement and avoid triggering activities, like using technology to track exercise. Exercise should be enjoyable, not depleting. For athletes, reintroduction should be…

Gideon Whitehead says he’s struggled with ARFID for as long as he can remember. Because many people aren't aware that ARFID in adults even occurs, this was often isolating. “As an adult, I've felt secluded with my diagnosis. I tried a lot of things to hide it from those I loved,” he says. Whitehead, who is a peer mentor at…

The holidays usually fill our lives with joy, cheer, and the spirit of unity. They typically include times for celebration, enjoying feasts, and expressing gratitude. However, for those on a recovery journey from eating disorders, the holiday season might present a unique set of challenges. The holiday season is usually characterized by an emphasis on food, festivities, and occasionally, stressful…

Body image issues are a growing concern for adolescents, and parents and family play a crucial role in shaping their children's self-perceptions. While social media is often blamed for promoting unrealistic beauty standards, parental attitudes and behaviors are also significant contributors to body image concerns. Understanding the impact parents have on their children's self-esteem and eating habits can help children…