A Journey Through Eating Disorders Support & Recovery

When someone is struggling with their mental health, the first recommendation they often get is to see a therapist—and often, that’s just what they need. But with eating disorders, the role of therapy is more complex. Eating disorder therapy is an integral part of treatment, but it’s not the only part, and it often looks different than people might expect.…

Did you know that nearly 30 million Americans experience an eating disorder in their lifetime? Eating disorders are health conditions that are serious, common, and treatable. This comprehensive guide will define eating disorders, explain signs and symptoms, dive deep on common disorders, and help connect you to the support you or a loved one may need.  What Is An Eating…

In a society that often places tremendous emphasis on appearance and body ideals, our relationship with food and eating can be complex and fraught with challenges. Many of us have heard the terms "disordered eating" and "eating disorders," but distinguishing between the two can be confusing. Eating disorders are clinically diagnosed illnesses and “disordered eating” is a term used to…

Despite all the messaging that tells us otherwise, health looks different in everybody. Unfortunately, diet culture has strong-armed society into upholding a very narrow view of what is “healthy” and “good.” Diet culture is the pervasive belief that certain body types are better than others. It’s based on myths that can ultimately have negative consequences for one’s overall well-being. But…

Many people have heard of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, but an eating disorder can present in many different ways. A lesser-known eating disorder is night eating syndrome (NES). Often overlooked or misunderstood by the general population, night eating syndrome affects about one in one hundred Americans, roughly a similar prevalence rate as anorexia nervosa. It’s…

Eating disorders affect both the person struggling and those around them. As a loved one, it makes sense to feel desperate for what to say. You want to help your friend or family member, but often, what you want to say to them might not actually be helpful and can sometimes even be harmful. Here we give some tips on…

Anyone can have an eating disorder. While conversations about eating disorders tend to focus on the significant social pressures women face regarding body image concerns and food, it is important to understand that men and male-identifying individuals also may be impacted by eating disorders. Did you know that men account for roughly 25% of eating disorder diagnoses? Unfortunately, many men…

I once met with a registered dietitian who was new to my treatment team, and when I mentioned my eating disorder, she immediately assumed it was anorexia nervosa. When I began explaining that no, it wasn’t anorexia, she cut me off and asked, “bulimia?” Trying to contain my exasperation, I said, “no, I have ARFID.” Her response was, “what’s ARFID?”…

At the National Alliance for Eating Disorders (“The Alliance”), our mission is to create better access to education, referrals, and care for anyone suffering from an eating disorder. Our helpline is a core aspect of how we enact this vision. The Alliance’s eating disorder helpline is a confidential resource that can help individuals, loved ones, and providers find support and…

Categorizing and labeling any eating disorder is a tricky subject. On one hand, having a clear diagnosis makes it easier to create medical reports and prescribe treatment. However, creating rigid boxes for a diagnosis ends up leaving some people out. Each body is different, and eating disorders, like all mental illnesses, show up with a range of intensities, symptoms, and…