Our life is often shaped by challenges that occur beyond our control. How we respond to these challenges determines the outcome. Story-writing is an effective way to promote self-healing and make our life experience count. The catalyst for writing a story can come from unexpected sources. For Loretta, it was a reading with a psychic. […]
Dear Diary
Sharing stories from inside out gives ED nowhere to hide
by June Alexander I was a grandmother when I “came out.” The event, in 2007, was a private girls’ school information night. Until then I had lived a part-life, struggling to appear “normal” to the outside world, while battling a private, inner hell as a captive of an eating disorder. Coming out and revealing my […]
Supporting friends and family with eating disorders
by Diana Beaudet Many individuals recovering from eating disorders, and families assisting their children and teens through recovery, receive little support and outreach during this difficult process. People tend to shy away from those with eating disorders and other mental illnesses because there isn’t a solid understanding of what the illnesses are and how seriously […]
A reflection on the journey of choosing to believe in hope
As a teenager, Alyssa encouraged a friend to seek help for her eating disorder. Today, as a young woman, she has entered a career to help others experiencing this illness. by Alyssa Sterry Well I made it. I have achieved a goal, a job I had dreamed of for about eight years. I started this […]
Peeling the onion: Losing the layers of my eating disorder
by Sarah Cannata It’s our secrets that keep us sick. This line has lingered with me uncomfortably for a long time. Every now and again, it forces its way to the top of my mind until I manage to mentally beat it down, usually by focusing on completing a meaningless task. The cost of silence […]
Moving on from an eating disorder with help from diary writing
by June Alexander Be the Master of your Ship: Journeying through an Eating Disorder … I am the master of my ship. I am in control. Yet, all too soon, it feels so wrong … … Yet, I can still choose. […]
Binge-writing: The role of narrative in my eating disorder recovery
‘Your life is your story. Make it amazing.’ by Ari Snaevarsson Whenever I think of the tools that were instrumental to my recovery, a few always come to mind: accountability through a support system, exercise that emphasized strength and not punishment, and meditation. But there was one tool that consistently took my hand and walked […]
Writing your way to self-care and self-freedom in 2019
by June Alexander Each New Year’s Day for many years I created a list of resolutions. The lead resolution always was: “Eat three meals and three snacks daily.” Sounds good and easy, but I always shattered this resolution within hours. Making an annual resolution about food when you have an eating disorder, is not a […]
A holiday message of hope for those with eating disorders
by June Alexander My Christmas at age 11 was not happy. If you are dreading this Christmas, hold on to hope for things will get better. My wish for you is that you will seek and follow the well-lit path that provides healing and happiness, self-belief and self-compassion. I searched a long time to find […]
Perceived utility of genetic counseling for individuals with eating disorders
Opportunity to participate in research by Julianne Elizabeth Streukens Eating disorders are complex in how they are caused, developing from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. However, they are frequently perceived as being under the control of those individuals with them, resulting in public blame, dislike, and anger towards individuals with eating disorders […]