Coping with Eating Disorders

Types Of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are frustrating for the individual and their families. We have provided you with some resources to find therapy in your area. Anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating are the most commonly known eating disorders. But there is also OSFED (Otherwise Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders) and an eating disorder that our family has personal experience with. It is called SED, or ARFID. This type of disorder is sometimes chalked up to "picky eating," but it goes way beyond that and can be just as dangerous as other types of eating disorders. It is basically a phobia of food, and has nothing to do with the person's body image. It is also difficult to find the right therapists and treatments. We are fortunate to have found some solutions that have helped our family.

Introductory Videos about Eating Disorders

*Caution- Some Videos Below May Be Triggering

(Video is about 5 minutes)
Ashley McHan is an eating disorder and trauma therapist. She talks to VICE about what it's like to live with an eating disorder. More information can be found at www.allianceforeatingdisorder.org/how-to-live-with-an-eating-disorder.

(Video is about 43 minutes)
The BALANCE eating disorder treatment center is located in New York City. Melainie Rogers, MS, RDN, CDN, CEDRD, and Megan Bruneau, MA, RCC, discuss eating disorder prevalence.

(Video is about 3 minutes)
Part 1-The quest for fame sent Nikki spiraling out of control. Eating disorders, drug abuse, getting raped and losing her mother sent her on a journey to turn her life around.

(Video is about 7 minutes)
In the third episode of “The Models,” Vogue's four-part docu-series, runway stars get real about eating disorders, size discrimination, and the fashion’s fraught relationship with weight.

(Video is about 5 minutes)
Part 2-Former model Nikki joins The Doctors to discuss how she overcame an eating disorder and drug addiction. The Doctors is an Emmy Award-winning daytime talk show hosted by Dr. Travis Stork, plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew Ordon, and OB-GYN Dr. Jennifer Ashton.

(Video is about 2 minutes)
The "Full House" actress talks openly about her battle with bulimia.

Let's Get Started Learning About Eating Disorders...

A listing of organizations, and clinics that provide advice, help, and therapy is provided below. No endorsements or recommendations are intended. This listing is for informational purposes only. It is up to you to determine appropriate professional care.

Here is a short quiz you can take to see if you possibly have an eating disorder; (there is no substitute for an in person diagnosis from a mental health professional)
https://rogersbh.org/edquiz

Here is another quiz that you can try: https://www.mind-diagnostics.org/eating_disorder-test

Here is a link to an article that helps you figure out if your child has an eating disorder (there is no substitute for an in person diagnosis from a mental health professional) :
what-to-do-if-you-think-your-child-has-an-eating-disorder-4062806

This treatment center discusses different types of therapy out there for eating disorders. We have included some additional methods on this page as well;
https://www.oliverpyattcenters.com/eating-disorders-therapies-how-they-work/

Here is a source for finding an eating disorder therapist:
www.eatingdisorderhope.com/treatment-for-eating-disorders/therapists-specialists

If you feel you have limitations for care in your area, here are a list of online sources for therapy for kids:
https://www.verywellmind.com/best-online-therapy-for-kids-4800984

Here is an app for patients to use that have an eating disorder;
https://www.recoveryrecord.com
The Recovery Record system has attracted over 10,000 eating disorder treatment professionals and one million people living with eating disorders. And that is just the beginning. Our goal is to put Recovery Record in the hands of the millions of people worldwide who need it and want it. That means partnering with treatment providers, health plans, and research institutes, adding new features, and continuing to scale and innovate quickly.

These are some good articles we recommend you read about how to work with your family member and the things you should and shouldn't do:
https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/treatment-for-eating-disorders/family-role
https://mirror-mirror.org/getting-help/talking-to-someone-with-an-eating-disorder
https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/your-stories/10-things-say-someone-with-an-eating-disorder

(Video is about 10 minutes)
Have you ever made a comment about someone's weight? Or made a joke about an eating disorder? This talk alters society's perspective on the way mental illnesses such as eating disorders are viewed.

(Video is about 6 minutes)
What do girls today think about body image? Allure sat down with girls ages 6 to 18 to find out. Their answers may shock and surprise you.