Co-dependency in Eating Disorders Caregiving

There is often a fine line between being a supportive parent or caregiver of a person with an eating disorder, and experiencing co-dependency in eating disorders caregiving. Melody Beattie’s definitions of co-dependency are by far my favorite.  She has a few versions listed on, Challenges Recovery Communications Network,  that help to clarify what she means [...]

Paying It Forward

The Spring Lobby Day with the Eating Disorders Coalition (EDC) is coming up, and it’s got me reflecting on how I got involved as an activist, writer, and advocate. In 2007, a friend was trying to organize an event for Eating Disorder Awareness Week, and she was trying to get guest speakers to come and [...]

Welcome your humanity

  “Some things you must always be unable to bear. Injustice and outrage and dishonor and shame. Not for kudos and not for cash — Just refuse to bear them.” William Faulkner. Blog this!Bookmark on DeliciousDigg this postRecommend on FacebookShare on LinkedinShare on Posterousshare via RedditShare with StumblersShare on technoratiTumblr itTweet about itSubscribe to the [...]

BODY EMPOWERMENT – “How Not To Purge”

Note from WATRD Editor: this post may be triggering for those struggling with an eating disorder, but the end message is incredibly powerful. Please view at your own risk and employ self-care. As part of the weekly Wednesday posting of my ongoing YouTube series “Body Empowerment,” here’s “How Not To Purge (Body Empowerment 46)” originally [...]

Hiding within yourself

Many people with eating disorders feel ashamed and embarrassed.  People are calling and texting you to go out, do things, and socialize.  Have you called them back?  Yes.  Have you told them you’d meet up with them?  Yes. But… You cancel at the last minute.  Why? “I just can’t go” you say to yourself.  ”No [...]

I Choose NOT to Diet for Summer — you?

Bikinis & Bathing Suits, Toning Up, Beaches, Dieting, Friends, Losing Weight, Vacation & Watching What You Eat = Summer Fun! Wait a minute –something about that doesn’t sound fun (or healthy)! That’s because it’s not. Summer is meant to be a time to enjoy warmer weather by engaging in outdoor activities like swimming, picnics, farmer’s [...]

Eating Disorders and Suicide – Finding Hope

Eating disorders are known for having one of the highest suicide rates of any psychiatric disorder. Hopelessness is one of the most significant risk factors for suicide. Many individuals with eating disorders feel that their life is barren of hope – that they live in the darkness of hopelessness. Recently, I wrote a blog for [...]

Hey, What’s Up With the Lying?

Ok, so you have an eating disorder.  Everyday you are consumed with food thoughts, numbers, calories, and negative thinking.  On top of this you have developed a habit of lying to others about small, medium, and big things.  Even some things that are important, like your health.  Do you like to lie?  No.  Most people [...]

Eating Disorder Relapse: Get Back Up On That Horse, Girl!

This post graciously submitted by Jacqueline Ekern.  Eating disorder recovery can be a one step forward, two step backward process. In fact, for most of us in recovery from bulimia, anorexia and binge eating disorder, this is the norm and not the exception. It can be difficult to accept slips, whether this means overeating, under [...]

Why Can’t People Just Read My Mind?

  So…you get upset because you think no one understands you.  You think everyone should know by now that you won’t eat XYZ or that you are “triggered” when others say this or that. “Why can’t everyone remember my rules?” That’s easy to answer.  Because not everyone has an eating disorder so they don’t think [...]

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