Media & Press of Eating Disorder Hope

Pro Ana Versus Pro Recovery Sites: New Study by Johns Hopkins and Stanford University raises concerns.

Pro Ana websites are popular, enticing and potentially deadly to young women. They promote thinness at all costs and often disregard health, well being and common sense. The June 17th issue of American Journal of Public Health published a recent study of Pro Ana websites. This innovative study conducted by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Stanford University School of Medicine, has raised questions about how we can meet the needs of these Pro Ana website visitors in healthier ways. It is important that Pro Recovery sites are supported and promoted by leaders and those influential to young woman. Professors, Teachers, Coaches, Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Parents and Therapists all can help offset the pro ana movement by supporting organizations that emphasize health and self esteem over thinness. It may save a life.

(PRWEB) June 22, 2010 -- A recent study of Pro Ana websites, published in the June 17th issue of American Journal of Public Health, shed some light on why young women are drawn to these sites and what they find there. This illuminating study has created a flurry of discussion and concern in the public.

Pro Ana websites are prolific across the internet. These sites provide tips, advice and encouragement to women on how to become thinner, emaciated or practice anorexia nervosa. Dramatic calorie restriction, fasting, excessive exercise, purging, laxatives and other unhealthy behaviors are often glorified as a magic key to achieving the media glorified waif look that has so deeply influenced women today. Eating disorder treatment is not advised or suggested. Thus, in most cases, these Pro Anorexia websites are promoting a deadly lifestyle and self destruction.

"These Pro Ana sites provide a sense of camaraderie and collaboration among the website visitors. These sites also can create a sense of pursuing a more perfect version of the self, or at least the body" commented Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC, and Director of Eating Disorder Hope. Sadly, the Pro Ana sites are focused on thinness as a status symbol and promise increased confidence and power in the world if one can just become thin enough.

Fortunately, there are Pro Recovery sites that refute these claims and encourage visitors to find a sense of inner value, self esteem and worth in the content of the character - rather than the external image of the individual. Sites such as Eating Disorder Hope promote healthy self care, embracing life and pursuing recovery. This site's mission is to foster appreciation of one's uniqueness and value in the world, unrelated to appearance, achievement or applause.

Eating Disorder Hope and other recovery websites, provide treatment resources such as a Treatment Directory and a Specialist Library (http://eatingdisorderhope.com/eating-disorder-specialist-library.html). These provide sufferers from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and compulsive overeating with contacts to professionals who can treat the destructive condition and the underlying issues that led to this maladaptive behavior.

Recovery Tools are provided and explained to offer practical suggestions for developing a healthier lifestyle and self esteem. Tools are given, such as nutrition tips, mindfulness skills, spirituality, improving rational thinking, body image improvement advice and relapse prevention techniques.

Resources are also provided that direct the individual to articles on recovery, inspirational real stories of recovered women, pro recovery newsletters and blogs, support groups, and excellent non profit organizations that support eating disorder awareness and prevention.

If you know of a woman suffering from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder or seemingly becoming far too preoccupied with weight, eating and diet - Please, seek help for them. A good starting point may be to refer them to a resource such as Eating Disorder Hope where they can find eating disorder treatment referrals, recovery tips and resources, and most of all, inspiration to choose a full and meaningful life over the empty existence of anorexia and other related conditions.

Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC is Director and Founder of Eating Disorder Hope. http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com Eating Disorder Hope is the one stop eating disorder treatment, resource and information site. Eating Disorder Hope promotes ending eating disordered behavior, embracing life and pursuing recovery through implementing the best eating disorder treatment available for the individual with anorexia, bulimia or binge-eating disorder. EDH is sponsored by Timberline Knolls, Rader Programs, Remuda Ranch and Rogers Memorial.

Eating Disorder Hope (www.eatingdisorderhope.com), launches one of a kind Eating Disorder Specialist Virtual Library

Fort Worth, Texas (November 5, 2009) – Finding treatment for eating disorders is an overwhelming task for those suffering  from eating disorders and the loved ones trying to help them.  To solve this problem, Eating Disorder Hope launched the Eating Disorder Specialist Library at: www.eatingdisorderhope.com/eating-disorder-specialist-library.html, to provide a comprehensive resource for exploring and comparing treatment options, providers, treatment approaches and philosophy.

"Many find that perusing through the 'virtual brochures' offered in the Eating Disorder Specialist Library greatly simplifies their search and puts them in touch with some of the best treatment centers for their loved one," said Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC and founder of Eating Disorder Hope. "Our rapidly expanding eating disorder specialist library is an excellent tool for eating disorder sufferers, families, friends and treatment providers who feel overwhelmed with where to begin in the search for appropriate care for the eating disorder sufferer. Finding professionals specialized in the field is key to successful recovery."

Eating Disorder Hope offers information and resources to those suffering from eating disorders, their treatment providers and loved ones by providing the new Eating Disorder Specialist Library, articles, books, a virtual library, inspirational recovery stories, relapse prevention and recovery tools.

"Eating Disorder Hope is well named, since hope is the first essential ingredient of recovery. This site supplies a wealth of information, contacts and inspiration to help make recovery a reality," said Aimee Lui (www.gainingthetruth.com), author of Gaining: The Truth About Life After Eating Disorders.

The work of www.eatingdisorderhope.com is possible due to the support of sponsors including platinum sponsoring partner: Rader Programs; platinum sponsors, Remuda Ranch and Rogers Memorial; and silver sponsor, Linden Oaks at Edward.

"Eating Disorder Hope is a fresh source of inspiration and practical information to assist sufferers, loved ones, support team members, and professionals with finding the level and type of support and resources they need quickly and efficiently," said Shannon Cutts, Founder/Director of Mentor Connect, and  author of Beating Ana: How to Outsmart Your Eating Disorder and Take Your Life Back, "a website that is like a second home for both those who need help now and for the professionals who treat them!"

About Eating Disorder Hope
Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC is the founder of Eating Disorder Hope, a one-stop resource for support, referrals and education about eating disorders. The site promotes ending eating disordered behavior, embracing life and pursuing recovery. Eating Disorder Hope fosters appreciation of one's uniqueness and value in the world, unrelated to appearance, achievement or applause.

Eating Disorder Hope (www.eatingdisorderhope.com), A New One-Stop Resource for Everything About Eating Disorders, Seeks to End Eating Disordered Behavior

Fort Worth, Texas (August 25, 2009) – Millions of Americans suffer from eating disorders and many don't know where to turn to for help. Jacquelyn Ekern, a licensed counselor and founder of Eating Disorder Hope, launched the site, www.eatingdisorderhope.com, to provide a comprehensive resource for support, referrals and education about eating disorders.

"My past battle with and recovery from an eating disorder fueled my passion to help others," said Ekern. "My goal is to become a global resource for help and healing in eating disorder treatment. My advice for individuals with eating disorders is to get help because these disorders rarely resolve themselves. Finding professionals specialized in the field is key to successful recovery."

Eating Disorder Hope offers information and resources to those suffering from eating disorders, their treatment providers and loved ones by providing articles, book suggestions, a virtual library, inspirational recovery stories, relapse prevention and recovery tools.

"I wish Eating Disorder Hope existed when I was struggling with an eating disorder," said Jenni Schaefer, author of Life Without Ed: How One Woman Declared Independence from Her Eating Disorder and How You Can Too. "I felt lost and like no one understood what I was going through. With just one click, Eating Disorder Hope gives people touched by eating disorders much needed support – letting them know that they're not alone, that there is hope, and most of all that people can and do fully recover."

The work of www.eatingdisorderhope.com is possible due to the support of sponsors including platinum sponsoring partner: Rader Programs; platinum sponsors, Remuda Ranch and Rogers Memorial; and silver sponsor, Linden Oaks at Edward.

"Eating Disorder Hope is a one-stop source for the best information about eating disorders on the Internet," said Sari Shepphird, psychologist, eating disorder specialist and author of 100 Questions and Answers About Anorexia Nervosa. "It is one of the most trustworthy and informative Web sites available today."

About Eating Disorder Hope

Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC is the founder of Eating Disorder Hope, a one-stop resource for support, referrals and education about eating disorders. The site promotes ending eating disordered behavior, embracing life and pursuing recovery. Eating Disorder Hope fosters appreciation of one's uniqueness and value in the world, unrelated to appearance, achievement or applause. For more information, visit the Eating Disorder Hope website, Twitter, and Facebook.

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