By Andrew Walen, LCSW-C, LICSW, CEDS Elite athletes look for total control of their body and mind. For a significant number of those athletes, the drive for their best performance can lead to an obsession with how and what they eat and over-training. The resultant disordered eating and exercise can lead to decreased performance, bone […]
How trauma bonds affect eating disorders
At some time or other, most of us have seen the signs of abuse. Bruises on the arm. The black eye hidden behind sunglasses. The hyper-startle response to a raised voice. The quiet tears quickly wiped away. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will […]
Healing Body, Healing Mind: Yoga as a Therapeutic Complement to Eating Disorder Treatment
Across our nation, eating disorder treatment centers are catching onto the therapeutic benefits of yoga. Yoga is a practice rooted in eastern philosophy that involves mindful meditation, breath work and intentional body movement. Over the past several decades, Westerners have grown fond of yoga for its physical and mental benefits. And while we know yoga […]
BED and the male experience
I’m heading home right now after attending the Binge Eating Disorder Association Conference in Hollywood, FL. There were some good programs, inspired speakers, and a lot of good camaraderie. What continues to be missed is the experience of males with BED. I spent much of the time in meeting rooms educating colleagues and advocates alike […]
The role of trauma in eating disorders
Trauma: a deeply distressing or disturbing experience I’ve heard so many stories of trauma from clients over the years. Sexual abuse. Physical abuse. Emotional abuse. Neglect. Manipulation. Witnessing others abused, tortured, and killed. Each person responds differently using the fight, flight or freeze reaction. Each one of these reactions can lead to a form of […]
Breaking the rules
My recovery from anorexia had a lot to do with learning to break the rules. When I was sick I used many, many food rules, restrictions and guidelines in order to feel “safe” and in control. The thing I didn’t realize for a long time was these rules were keeping me sick, obsessive, stressed and […]
Eating disorder-self versus true-self
When you have an eating disorder it often overtakes your mind. Your true-self may become lost and your eating disorder-self takes over. It can be confusing for sure. “You look disgusting.” “If you get fat no one will love you.” “You really should exercise more.” “You can’t go out to dinner with your friends, you […]
Being Courageous | The Body Image Center
I want to share with you one of my favorite quotes about courage. The quote is from Eleanor Roosevelt’s book You Live By Learning. The encouraging thing is that every time you meet a situation, though you may think at the time it is an impossibility and you go through the tortures of the damned, […]
Losing weight won’t change your life
Here’s the truth. When I was 13 years old I was going through a pretty difficult time in my life. There were issues going on with my family relationships and it felt like my world was getting out of control. As I entered the awkward-teenage puberty phases of life my body also began to change—and […]
Summer setbacks mean it’s time to get help
I hate seeing this. But it’s happening more and more at this point of the summer. Clients are coming in reporting increased struggles with self-care. The kids are back home and underfoot. Work is ramping up plans for a big end of summer push. The swimming pool … ’nuff said. The desire to diet, to […]