{via etsy}

Unfortunately, there are still many myths about eating disorders in our society — everything from eating disorders are a choice to eating disorders only affect women. In addition to the plethora of misconceptions, there’s also problems with insurance coverage (i.e., the lack thereof). And many individuals with eating disorders and their loved ones don’t know where to find treatment or what treatment even entails.

Fortunately, though, there are many, many incredible people advocating for eating disorder awareness and services on every level, whether they’re at universities conducting research, at Washington lobbying for education, resources and insurance coverage, or at home writing and sharing their stories online.

And whether you’ve struggled and recovered from an eating disorder or you’ve never had an ED, you can make a difference, too.

{via}

About a year ago, I was looking for a therapist who specializes in eating disorders for a friend. I researched several professionals online and decided to call each office to speak with them over the phone. I called one office, and like I had with the others, asked the receptionist to speak with the psychologist. I explained that I had a few questions about her treatment practices and would take up several minutes of her time.

The receptionist’s answer? No. I was a bit taken back, so I repeated myself. But, according to the receptionist, the psychologist never speaks over the phone. That’s her policy, and that was that.

I was so turned off by this person and her policy that I’m still irritated. (Within seconds, I crossed her off the list.) Interestingly, the other therapists I contacted were happy to answer my questions and speak with me about their treatment methods.

Maybe you’ve had a similar experience. Or maybe you’re looking for a therapist and have no clue where to start. Or what a good therapist even looks like.

Today, I’m pleased to share this guest post about how one blogger chose to seek recovery from her eating disorder. Jen struggled with anorexia throughout her teens and early 20s. Her recovery from an eating disorder and journey into a life as a well-rounded woman inspired her to write her own blog, MsMorphosis, ”Fearless Thinking For the Modern Miss,” which encourages young women to develop themselves as authentic individuals rather than relying on the status quo.

Remember that eating disorders are complicated and serious illnesses. People don’t choose to have an eating disorder any more than they choose to have cancer or epilepsy. But you can choose to seek recovery. Jen’s post speaks to making this choice and slowly working to chip away at the eating disorder thoughts and diet mentality. These often manifest into a fervent focus on food and weight and an obsession with perfection.

{via pinterest}

In our society, there’s a common belief that thin models and unrealistic images in ads and magazines cause eating disorders, specifically anorexia nervosa.

But the thin ideal (the desire for thinness) doesn’t cause anorexia. Instead, it plays a different but still damaging role, writes eating disorder specialist Sarah Ravin, Ph.D, in a recent post on her website.

This distinction is important because saying that eating disorders are the result of wanting to be thin trivializes these serious illnesses and makes it seem like EDs are a choice. It’s like Dr. Ravin says: You can’t choose to have anorexia any more than you can choose to have autism or schizophrenia or epilepsy.

{via It Gets Better Project; helps to fund anti-bullying & suicide prevention efforts}

Today I’m pleased to present this guest post by writer Brittany Lyons. Below, Brittany sheds light on an important topic: the prevalence of body image issues and eating disorders in the gay community and what might be to blame.

Brittany aspires to be a psychology professor, but decided to take some time off from her PhD program to help people learn to navigate the academic lifestyle. She currently lives in Spokane, Washington, where she spends her time reading science fiction and walking her dog.

When people think about body image or eating disorders, they usually imagine young, impressionable girls who come to hate their own bodies because they don’t match unrealistic advertisements, TV shows and movies. And, in fact, most eating disorder awareness and assistance programs are aimed at women.

However, a 2007 study from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health found that women aren’t the only ones who need such programs, as gay and bisexual men may be just as much at risk (or even higher risk) for poor body image and  eating disorders as women. Thus, instead of just focusing on women, it is imperative that eating disorder programs focus on all groups.

{via pinterest}

Yesterday, we discussed recovering from eating disorders. I shared my interview with Carolyn Costin and excerpts from her book,  8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder: Effective Strategies from Therapeutic Practice and Personal Experience, with co-author Gwen Schubert Grabb.

One of the topics we talked about was feelings. Learning to tolerate your emotions in a healthy way is important for recovery – and for living life. But many of us, whether we have an eating disorder or not, have a tough time identifying and processing our emotions.

Interestingly, our perspective can make or break negative emotions. As Costin said: “Your emotions are your body’s response to your thoughts.” Or, “What you tell yourself affects your emotional state.”

We run into trouble when our thoughts are inaccurate and self-critical but we see them as pure fact. These are called cognitive distortions. Psychologist and eating disorder specialist Sari Fine Shepphird, Ph.D, defines cognitive distortions as “a biased way of thinking about oneself or one’s environment, including one’s body image, weight or appearance” in her excellent book 100 Questions & Answers About Anorexia Nervosa.

Carolyn Costin and Gwen Schubert Grabb have written a fantastic book called 8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder: Effective Strategies from Therapeutic Practice and Personal Experience. Not only are both women psychotherapists, but they’ve also been there. Costin began struggling with an eating disorder in her teens. Grabb was Costin’s client, who recovered and then became a therapist herself.

In their book, they write: “This book is about getting over an eating disorder, how we did it, how we helped thousands of others do it, and how we hope to help you do it, too.” Below are several excerpts from the book and my interview with Costin, who discussed everything from obstacles to recovery to strengthening your “healthy self.”

The 8 Keys

The eight keys are based on scientific research, both authors’ personal recovery and their work with people with eating disorders. The book includes stories from Costin’s work with Grabb and other clients of both authors. The eight keys are:

{via pinterest; originally from here}

Anxiety often underlies eating disorders. For many individuals, engaging in eating disorder behaviors helps to soothe them – only temporarily, of course.

Anxiety also contributes to emotional eating and can worsen body image issues. (How many times have you been tense and taken it out on your body? Or vice versa? Or mistook discomfort and nervousness for “feeling fat”?)

But while anxiety seems incredibly overwhelming when you’re caught in its clutches, you can do so many things to minimize your anxiety. It’s a matter of learning some skills. Here’s a list of strategies to try.

Whether you have body image issues, disordered eating or are in recovery from an eating disorder, it’s important to recognize your problems and work to resolve them prior to pregnancy or motherhood.

As authors Claire Mysko and Magali Amadei write in their excellent book, Does This Pregnancy Make Me Look Fat? The Essential Guide to Loving Your Body Before and After Baby*:

If you know you have food and weight issues and you want to go into motherhood prepared to deal with them, that doesn’t mean you’re selfish. It means you’re smart, savvy and self-aware – and we think your kids will thank you for it.

In their book, Mysko and Amadei, who both struggled with and recovered from eating disorders, include a valuable checklist with healthy tips for before and during pregnancy and after your baby’s birth.

{via pinterest}

Anxiety underlies eating disorders, and eating disorders, in a sense, become a way to cope with the tension and rumbling nervousness.

One way to treat EDs is to focus on a person’s values and help them realize that eating disorders, while they might minimize anxiety temporarily, interfere with these values. (And, of course, are dangerous.)

Today, I’m pleased to present my interview with Emmett R. Bishop, Jr., MD, FAED, CEDS, medical director of adult services at the Eating Recovery Center, who discusses this technique, which at the Eating Recovery Center, they’ve termed values-based anxiety management.

Below, Dr. Bishop discusses how he helps patients with eating disorders discover their values and alleviate their anxiety. He also includes a tip for individuals who don’t suffer from EDs.