Welcome

Do you restrict what you eat to small quantities and a narrow variety of foods, but you aren’t sure if it’s anorexia? Do you wake up frequently, feeling you need to eat before you can go back to bed? Do you purge without binge eating? If you are experiencing eating disorder behaviors that don’t quite fall into the categories of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder, you may have the eating disorder classified as Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED). Formerly known as Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS), OSFED was developed to encompass conditions that did not meet diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa but were still significant feeding or eating disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

An estimated 77 percent of people with eating disorders will never seek treatment, a statistic that resonated with Minnesota’s WCCO News team. We’re grateful they invited our Chief Strategy Officer Jillian Lampert onto their show to explain some of the barriers that keep thousands of people with eating disorders from seeking help. 

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.

Blythe Baird is a spoken word poet, author, actress, and Leo. The re-release of her first book, GIVE ME A GOD I CAN RELATE TO, comes out in 2018. Her work has been featured by Glamour, The Huffington Post, Mic, Write Bloody, Button Poetry, EverydayFeminism, and more. Get in touch with Blythe at blythebairdpoetry@gmail.com.

Misconceptions about eating disorders often keep people from getting the treatment they need. We’re thankful to the KARE 11 news team for asking our Chief Strategy Officer Dr. Jillian Lampert into their studio to educate viewers. During the interview, she offered tips for helping a friend or loved one who may be struggling with food issues. Approximately 180,000 Minnesotans have an eating disorder right now.

Lampert helped NBC viewers to understand that eating disorders are an illness. “They’re not a choice. They’re not a behavior problem. They’re not a phase. They’re not a lack of willpower. They’re an illness with biological and genetic roots that are influenced by culture. And they need treatment. Just like any other illness.”

Ashley Bradbury joined The Emily Program in 2014 as an Office Manager and has since accepted a position as a Human Resources Recruiter. She is a mom of 5 kids, one dog, two goats, many chickens, ducks, and a gecko!

TEP: Tell us about yourself.

Ashley: My name is Ashley. I am a Human Resources Recruiter, which I love! I have been at The Emily Program for four years, starting back in 2014. Most of my time at The Emily Program, until recently, has been spent at our Como treatment center in operations as an Office Manager. Outside of work, I am mostly known as a wife, mom of 5 kids, cook, taxi driver, and animal herder!

In a post earlier this month, we discussed the prevalence of body image issues and eating disorders in the transgender community. Today we’re wrapping up our PRIDE month series with an interview that puts a human face to the issue of body image and identity in the trans community.

TEP: Tell us about yourself!

Sam: My name is Sam Dylan Finch! My pronouns are he/him. I’m a blogger, editor, and media strategist. And a whole bunch of other things — like a drag queen! — but that’s the gist.

Making that first call is tough. But we’re here for you, and we’re ready to help. The Emily Program’s admissions line is open when you’re ready to reach out–seven days a week, including Saturday and Sunday from 9AM-5PM. We interviewed one of our Admissions Specialists, Danielle Berg, to answer some questions about the admissions call so you know what to expect.

TEP: Why do people call the admissions line?

Danielle: People call the admissions line when they want to learn more about The Emily Program! Specifically, Admissions Specialists typically talk with callers who are requesting to start services, or callers who are returning clients looking to reinstate services. Our primary function is to help the caller begin their care journey here at The Emily Program.

Image by Ayush Gupta for Subvrt Magazine. 

Alok (they/them) is a gender non-conforming performance artist, writer, educator, and entertainer. They are known for their sense of style, comedy, a poetic challenge to the gender binary. Alok has been featured on HBO, MTV, The Guardian, National Geographic, The New York Times, and that’s just the beginning. They have also presented their work at over 300 venues in more than 30 countries. You can learn more about Alok here.

Given the lack of diverse voices typically found in discussions of body image, we wanted to interview Alok for our PRIDE month series and ask their opinions on body image and identity as someone who identifies as a South Asian nonbinary person.