by Merle (The Netherlands) Many people have an idea of what a person with an eating disorder looks like. Commonly they imagine this person is a skinny white girl who is starving herself and wants to be ultra-thin so she can be a model or ballerina. I have been that skinny white girl, but I […]
Dear Diary
Research call for voices of experience to forge patient-led recovery model for eating disorders in Victoria, Australia
By Rachel King, PhD candidate, Deakin University As a clinician working in the field of eating disorders, I’m often struck by how committed, dedicated and passionate many health professionals are to supporting people with eating disorders and their families. However, I’m also struck by how people with eating disorders are often unjustly excluded from mental health […]
Obliterating parent stigma in eating disorders
by Judy Krasna There are many damaging stigmas surrounding eating disorders, but the one that I am most passionate about removing is parent stigma, aka “blame the mother.” Sadly, some clinicians still subscribe to the outdated and disproven theories of Hilde Bruch (The Golden Cage, 1978) and Salvador Minuchin (Psychosomatic families: Anorexia nervosa in context, […]
Five key actions to curb eating disorders in Italy
A special event in Rome at the Italian Ministry of Health has led to development of counter-actions to stem the proliferation of eating disorders. by Sandra Zodiaco To mark the 3rd Italian Women’s Health Day, on April 21, the Italian Ministry of Health organized an event in Rome to celebrate the protection and promotion of […]
Dealing with an eating disorder’s double dose of stigma – from public and self
by June Alexander Engaging in the world beyond an eating disorder is scary because it means facing up to a double whammy of stigma driven a.) by the public and b.) from within. This post, drawn from Using Writing as a Therapy for Eating Disorders—The Diary Healer, digs through the layers to expose this serious […]
The cost of hiding an eating disorder and pretending you are okay
by June Alexander Many people who have an eating disorder are terrified of others close to them knowing about it. I refer to people who are able to function – that is, go through the motions of attending school or college, going to work, being a parent. Many of us who have an eating disorder pretend, to […]
How writing a fictional story is helping Matt kick goals in real life
By Matt Dunn I have always loved writing. Though, it goes beyond that. I need writing. The truth is, I have only recently worked out why. I had assumed the reason was about having that end product. In the case of fiction, it’s a world pulled from thin air. On that final page you can […]
Making your diary your personal advocate
By June Alexander Your diary can be your friend when you are struggling with an eating disorder or other life crisis. Confusion, pain, anger and sadness may be offloaded into this private refuge. However, what can you do if this process of private writing perpetuates bad feelings, instead of helping you feel good? One way […]
Is your diary your friend or foe?
by June Alexander The basic elements of writing as a tool for record keeping, nurturing, healing, reflection, creativity and spiritual discipline have been the essence of diary keeping for centuries. However, special considerations apply for the diarist who has an eating disorder. Historically, diaries have been regarded as a deeply personal, private and confidential document. […]
Sharing our story can be a powerful antidote to shame and insecurity
by Emily Johnson I believe in the healing power of sharing your story, especially when sitting with feelings of shame and insecurity. Throughout my journey with an eating disorder, I have found that feelings of shame, guilt and instability are the drivers behind most of my unhealthful behaviors. When I really dig deep, and am willing to see why I reacted a particular way or spiraled into […]