There were those of us — myself included — who doubted it would be possible to incorporate backpacking into a residential eating disorder treatment program. Executive Director Diane Ryan, Admissions Director Carol Magee and I began talking about expanding Mirasol’s adventure therapy program to include backpacking in October, 2014. The challenges seemed overwhelming. First of all, since clients obviously don’t come to treatment outfitted for backpacking, we needed to purchase all the equipment from tents, sleeping bags and sleeping pads to flashlights, hiking poles and utensils. Over the next six months we patrolled eBay and Craigslist for good used equipment, and picked up additional items at sales. Friends got wind of the project and stepped forward with gear to loan or donate. We took a leap of faith
Category: eating disorders
Sarah Sweatt Orsborn: If ‘Dadbod’ Is a Thing, What About Mombod?
Dudes are allowed to have “dadbods” and be seen as cute for it precisely because their worth isn’t as intrinsically tied to their appearance the way a woman’s worth is. Read more: Parenting, Parents-Moms, Parents-Dads, Body Image, Pregnancy, Self-Esteem, Women and Body Image, Mombod, Dadbod, Parents News
Nancy Laws: Why I Do Not Support The #ImNoAngel and the Love Your Body Campaigns
A lot of powerful brands have taken a stance against the volatile direction in which the media has led the definition of what it means to be beautiful, and it has been a wonderful shift, one that we continue to celebrate, thanks to campaigns like Dove’s Love Your Body, and Lane Bryant’s #Imnoangel. But have we lost sight of the most important message? Read more: #ImNoAngel, Health, Fitness and Exercise, Beauty, Eating Disorders, Women News
Kate Bartolotta: 10 Truths That Will Help You Love Your Body Right Now
As much as we are learning to accept different kinds of beauty in others, the weight loss industry is still making billions of dollars a year and “how to lose weight fast” is one of the most searched for terms on Google. Like so many of the most important things in life, self-love is an inside job. Read more: Body Image, Positive Body Image, Disordered Eating, Loving Yourself, Women and Body Image, 10 Truths That Will Help You Love Your Body Right Now, Love Matters, Women News
Join us for a Complimentary CE Event in June
Throughout June we will be hosting Eating Disorders and the Brain. This is a free CE event for professionals who want to learn more about eating disorders and/or how to address eating disorders in your work with patients. Eating Disorders and the Brain Overview Eating disorders are serious, life-threatening conditions that require appropriate care and management by a team of mental health and medical professionals. This session will provide an understanding of the multidimensional nature of eating disorder development and maintenance, challenges related to recovery, and communication techniques to help approach someone who may be struggling. The session will also address the diverse range of people that eating disorders impact and how personalized treatment is effective in managing individual needs.Participants will walk away with
In Memoriam of Lynn Grefe
Lynn Grefe, long-time president and CEO of NEDA and a noted political and social activist, passed away April 28 at her home in Edgewater, NJ – surrounded by family and friends – following a valiant, year-long battle with cancer. She was 65. Lynn has helmed New York City-based NEDA for more than a decade, bringing her expertise, drive and dedication to the cause in 2003. In that role, she expanded the organization dramatically, establishing it as the leading U.S. non-profit supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. She was passionate about providing hope to the 30 million Americans who will struggle with these illnesses at some point in their lives and worked to ensure that they, as well as their families and loved ones, had
Fertility and Pregnancy in Bulimia Nervosa
Written by Tamara J. Aitken, RN, MSN, Kimberli McCallum, MD, CEDS, FAPA, and Ginger Nicol, MD Bulimia Nervosa: The Basics Individuals who suffer from Bulimia Nervosa (BN) struggle with recurrent episodes of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors to reverse or avoid weight gain. Binge eating is defined as consumption of a large amount of food – as much as a whole day’s worth of calories or more – in a discrete period of time (perhaps over 2-3 hours). Binge episodes are associated with emotional distress, shame, and most of all are associated with a loss of control over eating. Compensatory behaviors can include self-induced vomiting or misuse of laxatives, periods of fasting or restricted food intake, and excessive exercise are also common. The diagnosis of BN
10 Things All White Folks Need to Consider About the #BaltimoreUprising
By Jamie Utt for Everyday Feminism, cross-posted with permission As I reflect upon the most recent Baltimore Uprising taking place in the wider movement for racial justice in the United States, I can’t help but be simultaneously frustrated and inspired by the White people in my life. I’m inspired by White friends and mentors who […]
I have a close friend who has an eating disorder. I know she restricts her calorie intake obsessively and exercises constantly, but I don’t know if…
Don’t force her into doing things that she doesn’t want to because ed is also about control. Maybe try talking to her about other things non-ed related to distract her/inviting her to hangouts (but not in a huge crowd, or maybe if she’s comfortable then sure)/go to the movies/etc. -Caroline
So I have SED (selective eating disorder) and i have for as long as I remember which ALWAYS gets mistaken for fussy eating which I continually get…
People seriously need to stop stigmatizing things that they clearly don’t understand. This makes me so furious to be honest. I have experienced the exact same thing as you, but I think your friend just doesn’t understand you. When I told one of my closest friend about my ed she told me I was recovered because I wasn’t skinny (I know right what the f) but I didn’t blame her because this was all media brainwashing and giving people stupid/inaccurate facts about these illnesses (not to mention also diets, etc.). I think you should take time, be patient (if this friend is actually worth the while that was really mean of her though to post it on Tumblr) and explain this disorder to her. If
hey, i used to suffer from anorexia and bulima but lately i have started to hate the way i look so ive stopped eating and loosing weight again, this…
the only thing I can tell you right now is to PLEASE eat. YOUR BODY NEEDS FOOD. Without food (especially carbs), carbs are vital for cellular respiration and therefor also your organ systems (cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, etc.) please get help. Plus, think about the things you have suffered through in the past, do you want that again? Because I can tell you that EVERY SINGLE RECOVERED VICTIM never regretted recovery and this is a fact. -Caroline