06/02/2026
Today is world eating disorder action day and boy do I have a lot of things I would like to call to action 😬 I will keep this short.
Eating disorders thrive in isolation and are far more pervasive than most people think. On the surface, it may look like a stage or an illness solely defined by distress related to food and shape. However, these illnesses are complex, and under the surface, you will find layers of protection that may look like anxiety, depression, fear, sadness, loneliness, neglect, isolation, panic, trauma, and deep pain that make up the roots of these horrible illnesses. These layers (or roots) are protective and serve a purpose of survival. Our job in recovery is to help you feel okay enough to heal from the disorder that has felt like a shield protecting you. Recovery is so hard because it takes a long time to trust that it’s okay to do that.
For those of you in recovery, you’re incredible keep fighting it gets better.
For those in the field, keep going. Working with individuals touched by eating disorders exposes you to some of the darkest pain and the most beautiful healing.
For those in advocacy, include all voices. Not everyone has the capacity to devote to make their voices heard through volunteering, research, canvassing, funding etc. It doesn’t mean their voices don’t matter. We need to work together as professionals in this field. In a healthcare system that doesn’t support the care we’re providing, private clinicians need to lean on each other and support each other in an effort to truly make a difference. ✌🏼💙
Recovery and the path to get there is complex and deeply personal. No two people will follow the exact same path to get to a better place. Our goal is to help make each step you take a bit less painful to ensure we are creating a path that seems sturdy enough to trust.
