Welcome

Earlier this month, a few of us from The Emily Program – Cleveland headed down to our nation’s capital to participate in this year’s Eating Disorder Coalition’s National Fall Lobby Days. It sure was an exciting day for all of us in the eating disorder world.

We would like to thank all of you who joined us in representing Ohio and making our voices heard! It’s the most important advocacy event to influence policy on eating disorders in Congress.

No matter who we are, we’re all going to encounter stress throughout our lifetimes. Work, school, busy schedules…sometimes it seems impossible to escape.

While some stress can be good, being exposed to too much of it for prolonged periods of time can make people turn to unhealthy coping strategies. Withdrawing from friends and family, over-or under-sleeping, and relying on drugs and alcohol are examples of harmful ways to deal with stress. Another common method of managing high-stress levels is eating too much or too little – a method that may provide short-term comfort, but can lead to serious long-term effects like eating disorders.

Learning to manage stress in a healthy and positive way can help to avoid negative coping techniques.

This is one person’s story; everyone will have unique experiences on their own path to recovery and beyond. Some stories may mention eating disorder thoughts, behaviors, or symptom use. Please use your own discretion. And speak with your therapist when needed.

By Tiffany Hammer, Outreach Specialist at The Emily Program

Recently I encountered a discussion about a group that a provider facilitated where they tried to talk about the reflection topic “I choose to be happy”. The provider mentioned that it was a difficult topic to elicit group participation. Hearing this, I wasn’t surprised. That affirmation can be intimidating. Yet it taught me the power of choice and who I want to be.

This is one person’s story; everyone will have unique experiences on their own path to recovery and beyond. Some stories may mention eating disorder thoughts, behaviors, or symptom use. Please use your own discretion. And speak with your therapist when needed.

By Alexandra Miles, a former Emily Program client in recovery

As I feel the intense heat of change, transformation, and growth within my inner workings, the land reminds me of my greater purpose and the greater whole. As I watch the summer flowers wither away and the birds flying south, I am reminded of my own rhythms and I start to remember why I am here.

This is one person’s story; everyone will have unique experiences on their own path to recovery and beyond. Some stories may mention eating disorder thoughts, behaviors, or symptom use. Please use your own discretion. And speak with your therapist when needed.

By Cami Applequist, a former client in recovery

Most people who know me will tell you that I’m funny. I have always been funny. I always assumed I was funny because that was my role as the fat person in the group.

Now I know that I am funny simply because I am funny. And also because I have had a lot of training. In the process of therapy and recovery, I discovered that I used humor and laughter to disguise difficult emotions.

The following post was written by K. Jean Forney, M.S., a Doctoral Candidate in Clinical Psychology at Florida State University. Her interest lies in research for purging disorders. You can read more about her and her research here.

Within the realm of eating disorders, there are so many varying factors and potential risks for those who struggle. Research-based treatment can help people get better and live full, healthy lives. In addition, it’s important for us, as a general population, to understand that eating disorders, no matter the exact diagnosis, are incredibly dangerous. They are not a choice and they affect over 14 million people in the United States.

By Katie Teresi

It may surprise people to know that body image is much more than what you see in the mirror. In fact, it spans how you picture yourself in your mind, what you believe about your own appearance, and what you think about your weight, height, and shape. It even covers how you feel in your own body.