How I Became a Body Image Activist Through ‘The Body Project’
Body positivity is an important part of who I am, since I’ve struggled with body image for most of my life. I came to learn about the body positive movement within the last couple of years, and now, instead of picking apart what I see in the mirror, I am thankful for my body because […]
20 Years Later: How Princess Diana’s Legacy Continues to Help People with Eating Disorders
On the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death on August 31st, 1997, her legacy is still prevalent in the mental health community. This influence has been dubbed the “Diana Effect,” and is a result of the courage she had to share her story. In many cases, trauma can be a trigger for an eating disorder. […]
Illinois Provides Increased Protection of Consumers for Treatment of Eating Disorders
On August 24, 2017, the State of Illinois enacted Public Act 100-0305, which amends the Illinois Insurance Code to afford greater protection to individuals suffering from eating disorders by expanding the mandatory health insurance coverage available to treat such conditions. The law was introduced as HB 1332 by State Representative Laura Fine (Glenview); and after […]
Pink’s VMAs Speech Was a Refreshing Reminder of the Importance of Positive Body Image
After MTV’s Video Music Awards on Sunday, a speech given by Pink has gone viral as an inspiration to young girls everywhere, as well as an example for parents. Amongst the political statements that were trending throughout the evening, Pink’s acceptance speech for the Video Vanguard Award was a refreshing reminder of the importance of […]
How to Address the Troubling Lack of Diversity Among Eating Disorders Professionals
Many of us from minority communities, whether it be our race/ethnicity, sexual orientation/gender identity, foreign/immigration status, or any other such factor, share an unfortunately common experience moving through the world: being the only one of your group in a room. This “room” may be a classroom, a waiting room, a workplace, a party or event, […]
Letting Go of Perfectionism in My Recovery from Anorexia
Just like every other human emotion and experience, eating disorders are full of color, chemicals, and different combinations. No two experiences are the same. I am a self-described overachieving perfectionist, who has cared far too much about everything my entire life. The expectations of my generation are that you’ll be brilliant at everything and it’s […]
Choosing Recovery from My Eating Disorder and Drinking Problem
My adolescence and teenage years were rocky, to say the least. On the surface, I fought to project an image of a person in control, a person who strived for perfection: I was the valedictorian of my high school class, I studied at Brown University, and I maintained plenty of friendships. But beneath the façade […]
The Lions Barber Collective: A Safe Space for Men to Talk About Mental Health
Each year, it is reported that one person in the UK completes suicide every 120 minutes. Most of those people are men. And suicide and eating disorders often intersect; for example, those suffering with anorexia are 31 times more likely to attempt suicide than the general population. The Lions Barber Collective is an international collective […]
What I Wish I Knew About Eating Disorder Treatment
Yes, eating disorder treatment involves all the wonderful things that are delicately spelled out in pastel pamphlets. Yes, there can be yoga mats and Rumi and more gentle nodding than the normal neck could take. There are a few things that are left out of the brochures, however, and this troubles me. It was these […]
How to Challenge a Friend’s Eating Disordered Talk
My best friend and I have always been candid about our eating disorders. We’ve known each other for 20 years, and when we met, we were in the midst of anorexia. Our eating disorders were similar: there was no magic moment when either of us announced we were in recovery, not even when I went […]
