Eating Disorder Self-Help
Self-help books, videos, and other resources are quite popular these days. And for good reason. A lot of good can come from these materials. However, when it comes to eating disorders, self help is somewhat of an oxymoron. This is because it often takes reaching out to a treatment team for a person to begin and sustain recovery.
With that said, the person struggling with an eating disorder, or their family and friends, can learn a great deal from certain resources. We suggest starting with HOPE. Please consider the inspirational stories of these women who sought the help they needed and also employed creative ways to help themselves in our Women of Substance library.
Articles
Self-Help for Bulimia Nervosa: A Randomized Controlled Trial
by Jacqueline C. Carter, Ph.D., Marion P. Olmsted, Ph.D., Allan S. Kaplan, M.D., Randi E. McCabe, Ph.D., Jennifer S. Mills, Ph.D., and Annie Aimé, M.Ps.
Technical, but interesting research where the authors examined the effectiveness of unguided self-help as a first step in the treatment of bulimia nervosa.... Read More
Eating Disorders Anonymous and Other 12-Step Groups
by Matthew Tiemeyer, About.com
Like AA, EDA leads members through 12 progressive steps of healing. The first step is to admit powerlessness over the eating disorder. Later, the process requires belief in a "higher power" (perhaps God, or something else that is stronger than the eating disorder) as a source of healing... Read More
Resources
Eating Disorders Anonymous: is a fellowship of individuals who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problems and help others to recover from their eating disorders. People can and do fully recover from having an eating disorder. In EDA, we help one another identify and claim milestones of recovery.
Overeaters Anonymous: offers a program of recovery from compulsive eating using the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of OA. Worldwide meetings and other tools provide a fellowship of experience, strength and hope where members respect one another’s anonymity.
Daily Strength Eating Disorder Support Group: Excellent support group led by Dr. Kimberly Dennis of Timberline Knolls Residentail Treatment Center.
National Eating Disorder Association: The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is the largest not-for-profit organization in the United States working to prevent eating disorders and provide treatment referrals to those suffering from anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder and those concerned with body image and weight issues.
Eating Disorder Hope Club: Eating Disorder Hope and MentorCONNECT have collaborated to offer this unique opportunity for eating disorder sufferers to find free support and encouragement from others who are in recovery.
Binge Eating Disorder Association: It affects more than eight million men and women and accounts for three times the number of those diagnosed with anorexia and bulimia together. BEDA is committed to helping those who suffer from binge eating disorder conquer their disorder. So if you or someone you care about lives with binge eating disorder, BEDA can help. If you treat the disorder, BEDA can help.
Multi-Service Eating Disorder Association: (MEDA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of eating disorders and disordered eating. MEDA's mission is to prevent the continuing spread of eating disorders through educational awareness and early detection. MEDA serves as a support network and resource for clients, loved ones, clinicians, educators and the general public.
FreedFoundation.org: The Gail R. Schoenbach F.R.E.E.D. Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating eating disorders. The funds contributed to the F.R.E.E.D. Foundation will provide individuals the financial support needed for the treatment of eating disorders.
Online Support Meetings for Eating Disorders: 12 step meetings online for eating disorder sufferers.
Eating Disorders Articles: Informative articles by leaders in the field of eating disorder treatment.
Eating Disorder Blogs & Newsletters: Great resources to build relationshipw with others in recovery! Great way to stay motivated!