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Check out our list of the top online news items and stories that have fascinated or inspired us recently.

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 Nicole

Six summers ago, I began a new, terrifying chapter in my life as a then seventeen-year-old. I, along with my family, decided to admit me to The Cleveland Center for Eating Disorders (now known as The Emily Program). Recovery has been an unspeakably arduous journey, and it will be a voyage I will be on for the rest of my life. Six years later now in November of 2017, I am able to cope with my illness to the point where I am able to manage a mostly productive, healthy, and happy life. How does one go from breaking down one night, asking to be admitted, to having a job, going back to college, and having a great relationship with a loving boyfriend and parents?

Kitty Westin with Senator Amy Klobuchar just before the 21st Century Cures Act was signed into law.

by Kitty Westin, eating disorders activist

I was thrown onto an uncharted path nearly 17 years ago. I was in excruciating pain, I was lost and confused and had no idea how to navigate the path, where the journey was headed, or what I was supposed to do along the way. When Anna died from an eating disorder on February 17, 2000, I felt like my world had blown apart. I did not know how to survive the tragedy but I did know one thing; I had to somehow transform the horror of Anna’s death into something positive. I reached out to Senator Paul Wellstone who was a champion of mental health parity and asked for his help. I told him Anna’s story and he told me to take the story to Washington D.C. He said that I should bring as many other voices with me because that is what would make change happen. My journey has been hard, frustrating, messy, and often filled with obstacles, but it was always a journey of love.

Elizabeth joined The Emily Program in January of last year as a nurse before recently transitioning into her new role as our clinical admissions specialist. Prior to The Emily Program, she served as an ER nurse at a local hospital but was looking for something a little different.

The Emily Program provides treatment at multiple levels of care, from outpatient programs to around-the-clock residential care.

(Photo credit: Libertee Musyka)

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.

Candice Sand is a recording artist, songwriter, and eating disorder advocate from Toronto, Canada. She has spoken out about her struggle with symptoms of anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder, classified in the DSM-5 as OSFED (Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder), a commonly diagnosed eating disorder. Recently, Candice released a song inspired by her personal experience of overcoming the eating disorder that she struggled with secretly for most of her life. We caught up with Candice to ask her some questions about her diagnosis and path to recovery.

We recently asked people in recovery from an eating disorder to share their thoughts about the illness. We hope these insights from those who have “been there” help if you’re seeking answers and understanding. A big thanks to everyone who contributed to this post and to all the supportive friends and family out there.

These are personal perspectives; 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.

To help you prepare for the upcoming holidays, our staff has come up with some tips and words of encouragement. Add any or all of them to your recovery toolbox for upcoming holiday events.

• Continue doing what works for you despite the fact that your schedule may change, stress may increase, and time may be short.
• Remember: it’s progress, not perfection.
• Have a plan for food and skills to use during the day.
• Keep practicing self-care by feeding yourself, getting enough water, moving when/if/how it makes sense for your body, resting when you need to, and connecting with others.
• All foods fit, and your body knows how to use them.
• Allow yourself to ask for more support from others you trust, whether that be family, friends, or treatment team members.
• Remember that although it may seem like everyone is sharing happy memories with their loved ones, not everyone is and it’s okay since that is often real life. Stay away from social media if it allows you to have a more realistic picture of the world.
• Consider what would make you enjoy the holiday season more, whether that be doing something traditional, such as baking or going to church, or something less traditional, such as getting a pedicure or volunteering. Make the holiday season your season, not something that you think it should be.

Wishing you all a happy holiday season!