TOPIC

Eating Disorders



The cultural imperative to align ourselves with a certain body type and shape deeply affects us by as early as six years old. Many of us develop eating disorders in an attempt to attain that ideal, though disordered eating habits can develop for complex emotional reasons that have little to do with weight, such as a desire for control. While eating disorders are frequently discussed as a “women’s issue,” they affect all genders (in fact, subclinical disordered eating habits, such as binge eating and purging, are nearly as common among men as women). Eating disorders are often a hidden illness; it’s impossible to tell if someone has one just by appearance or physical fitness, and since they frequently carry great burdens of shame, sufferers usually hide their behaviors and carefully mask their symptoms. Even when we’re aware that someone around us has an eating disorder, we’re often unsure about how to support their needs without enabling their disordered behavior. Eating disorders can have serious physical consequences and typically require medical and psychological treatment.

If you or someone you know is in immediate need of support, please seek professional help. If you are in crisis, here are some immediate free resources.

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When Your Teen Has an Eating Disorder: Practical Strategies to Help Your Teen Recover from Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating

If your teen has an eating disorder—such as anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating—you may feel helpless, worried, or uncertain about how you can best support them. That’s why you need real, proven-effective strategies you can use right away.

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Eating in the Light of the Moon: How Women Can Transform Their Relationship with Food Through Myths, Metaphors, and Storytelling

By weaving practical insights and exercises through a rich tapestry of multicultural myths, ancient legends, and folktales, Anita Johnston helps the millions of women preoccupied with their weight discover and address the issues behind their negative attitudes toward food.

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Sick Enough

Patients with eating disorders frequently feel that they aren’t "sick enough" to merit treatment, despite medical problems that are both measurable and unmeasurable. They may struggle to accept rest, nutrition, and a team to help them move towards recovery.

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Hunger for Connection: Finding Meaning in Eating Disorders

Who develops which eating disorder and why? When do eating disorders begin and what fuels them? In Hunger for Connection, psychoanalyst and eating-disorder specialist Alitta Kullman expands on the "body/mind" personality organization she calls the "perseverant personality," illustrating how food...

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A Day With: Anorexia & Bulimia

Memories with my eating disorder begin in a middle school cafeteria in southern Virginia. I gave away food from my lunch until I didn’t have anything left.

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When Dieting Becomes Dangerous: A Guide to Understanding and Treating Anorexia and Bulimia

This primer on anorexia and bulimia is aimed directly at patients and the people who care about them.

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I Was a Competitive Athlete with an Eating Disorder. Here’s What I Did About It.

Competitive athlete Mandy Dimarzo had to experience breakdown of her body in order to realize a breakthrough in her eating disorder. Watch this inspiring story of overcoming body issues and share your own story of motivation and resilience.

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Eating Disorders in Athletes

This comprehensive, up-to-date book presents the latest research and applied practice to address all of the key issues relating to sport and eating disorders. The book begins by looking at the underlying factors behind the development of disordered eating.

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Why Athletes Develop Eating Disorders

Learn why eating disorders tend to occur in athletes, and what you can do to recognize and get help for sports-related anorexia and bulimia.

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Anorexic to Athlete | My Story

hi, i'm Lara. this is my story. this was hard for me to upload - i have honestly never felt so vulnerable. but this is me, this who i am and who i was. my journey is my journey & i'm proud of how far i've come. i'm sharing this in the hope to educate & raise awareness

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WHAT MIGHT HELP

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The information offered here is not a substitute for professional advice. Please proceed with care and caution.

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