Breaking Barriers in Eating Disorder Recovery: The Role of Virtual Self-Help Tools

Virtual self-help treatment Only 20% of people who struggle with eating disorders will receive professional help.1 That means that millions are navigating recovery alone. There are several reasons why many fail to get the help they need, with the main reasons being a shortage of providers,2 high costs, shame, and stigma.3 The COVID pandemic not only exacerbated the [...]
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An Overview of Refeeding Syndrome

Refeeding syndrome commonly occurs when someone who is malnourished, possibly as the result of an eating disorder, begins to eat more regularly again. Unfortunately, the condition can become quite serious. Complex metabolic processes that take place when someone starts eating more regularly can result in complications such as heart failure, respiratory failure, electrolyte imbalances, and [...]
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Food Anxiety and Social Events

Social Events Throughout human history, large meals have been an integral part of all kinds of occasions. And today, everything from birthday parties to holidays, weddings, date nights, and professional events may center around the idea of eating with others. For many, these get-togethers mark a happy occasion. But for individuals dealing with food anxiety, these moments [...]
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Signs My Child is Having an Eating Disorder Relapse

Father Daughter Bond Eating disorders are complex chronic health conditions requiring a long-term recovery approach. Unfortunately, the road to recovery for children can be especially difficult and may involve setbacks and relapses.  A relapse in eating disorders is a return or worsening of symptoms after improvement or remission. It may occur due to stressors, such as a change [...]
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Eating Disorders and Greek Life in College

Sorority building Eating disorders are complex conditions influenced by various factors, such as genetics, environment, and life experiences. College, in general—a time of personal, academic, and social growth—also brings significant challenges. College students may be more at risk of developing an eating disorder because of social expectations, academic pressures, and the stress of transitioning into adulthood.  There [...]
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Nutrition Interventions for ADHD and Emetophobia

Nutrition Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and its connection to eating disorders is a relatively new field of study. However, early research has uncovered some links connecting aspects of ADHD to certain disordered eating behaviors.1 Still, other research is beginning to uncover the roles certain foods and nutrient deficiencies may play in these conditions, indicating that [...]
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The Link Between Anorexia and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Friends Hanging Out In the world of mental health, several conditions frequently overlap or are found in the same individual. These are called co-occurring or co-morbid conditions.  Among eating disorders, anorexia nervosa (AN) frequently co-occurs with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).3 The two share a number of similar features, and it’s sometimes hard to tell whether someone has one disorder, [...]
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Long-Term & Short-Term Consequences of Binge Eating Disorder

Disappointment Binge eating disorder (BED) is an eating disorder characterized by recurring binge eating episodes.  These episodes often happen in private, with people consuming up to thousands of calories in one sitting. The person typically feels guilty later, but they refrain from using any methods of purging. While BED is often considered a mild eating disorder, [...]
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