A Journey Through Eating Disorders Support & Recovery

Could we imagine scrolling through our social media feeds to see that body diversity is honored and was a space that respected our individual autonomy? What would our online world look like if we didn’t care about the number of likes we received due to the shapes of our bodies? What would our online world look like if online users…

The prevalence of eating disorders, like Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa, is on the rise, and they are not discriminating against any race, ethnicity, social class, or religion, including members of the Jewish community. The culture of the Jewish people heavily revolves around gatherings with family, friends, and large quantities of food. The Jewish community often connects through food. Each…

When I first came to terms with needing help for a life-threatening eating disorder, I had no idea I would ultimately uncover complex feelings around my gender and sexuality, among several other factors and root causes. All I knew at the time was I wanted to live without my eating disorder, and I didn't know how to. Over the last…

Although Orthorexia Nervosa is not included as a standalone disorder in the DSM-V, it’s recognized by most in the psychiatric and eating disorder treatment communities as a serious disorder. Because it’s not as prominent as other types of eating disorders, Orthorexia Nervosa may go under the radar, but hopefully, we can shed some light on it. What Is Orthorexia Nervosa?…

Swimsuit season. Beach body. Bikini ready. The terms are thrown around casually every summer. In regular conversation, on social media, and via media and advertising, we’re hit with messages that suggest we must prepare and perfect our bodies before changing into warm-weather clothing. “Get ready” for the summer, the messages say, by getting your body “ready.” “Follow this workout, stick…

Cultural and family values impact the relationships we have with food and with our bodies. Specifically, within Latinx cultures, food brings people together and is often seen as a love language. Food is a way of showing people you care about them and welcoming them into your home. On the other hand, food can be weaponized and utilized to control…

You've Seen Eating Disorder Patients Before, Even If You Don't Think You Have. In fact, you may have seen it more recently than you realize. It is estimated that 9% of the population will suffer from an eating disorder in their lifetime (Harvard STRIPED, Academy for Eating Disorders, Deloitte Access Economics, 2020). One tertiary hospital recently published a study showing…

The word “pica” is Latin for magpie—a bird known for eating almost anything. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), Pica can be defined as a feeding or eating disorder that involves eating non-nutritive, non-food substances. These items can include, but are not limited to: Paper Chalk Glass Dirt Clay Hair Paint Soap Who Develops Pica?…

Gender-informed care is close to my heart. When working with clients with an eating disorder, a gender-informed lens is necessary, and allowing space for clients to be seen and feel heard is vital to the recovery process. Doing so allows a provider to open their eyes past the binary and see individuals for who they are. In my work with…

It’s Pride Month and at Walden Behavioral Care, our pride is in our ability to connect from one heart to another. This means that when we work with clients, and each other, our priority is to treat one another as equals, as allies, and respected members of the greater community. We understand that due to a lack of understanding or…