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If you search for "eating disorder" in a stock photo library, you will likely see the same thing over and over: a young, skeletal woman looking sadly into a mirror. While this represents some people's reality, it has created a dangerous myth: the idea that you have to look "sick enough" to have a problem. The Diversity of Struggle The truth is that eating disorders are diverse. They do not have a "look," a "size," or a "weight." Body Size:  Most people struggling with an eati

They taught us the body is a city the gods may enter at will. So I learned early how to lock my gates. Apollo came first— not with plague, but with measure. He laid his lyre across my ribs and said: only what is tuned survives. I listened. Demeter passed me by in winter. Her hands were full, and I pretended not to be starving so she would not stop. I told myself this was discipline. The earth believed me. I counted like a priestess. Seeds. Hours. Bones. Every omission felt li

I watch her every day and I see everything she does. The lunch table hears her murmur about going to the bathroom but only I discern the faint gagging after she disappears to carve her belly whole. The nurses disregard her, painting her emptiness as hunger, but only I hold her hand as she traces the flaring of her ribs. Her boyfriend teases her, squeezing her cheeks and arms, but only I see her falter as she pinches her thighs. I know her thoughts I feel her emotions I see ev

I heard crying from downstairs It was just like any other night, My stuffed animals smiling in the corner, My collection of books waiting to be read, But something was not right, Especially because the crying didn't involve yelling Mom wasn't angry She just did not feel beautiful Beautiful woman, with a big heart and an impeccable drive I admire her in so many ways But none of them had to do with her body But I know she has always believed that her body meant something, To my

When I look in the mirror, I look too fat, Too wide, My clothing oversized, Tell me, is someone lying to me? When I speak out loud, My voice shuts down, My hands instinctively adjusting my clothes, My mind holding me captive, Tell me, am I lying to myself? When I step onto the scale, I see overweight written on it, I begin writing down my calories, Checking everything I grab at the store, Tell me, is my reality a lie? When I sit down, I make sure to tuck my stomach, To lift m

At the end of 2022, I made a promise to myself that would create an immense anxiety within me for the following years. I had a weird relationship with this promise; I loved it so much, but I also hated it with my whole heart. This promise was to exercise more in the following year, a normal and widely accepted New Year's resolution. But that wasn't truly my resolution. I wanted to become skinnier. That was my goal for the new year. And with that, I was going to do whatever it

i learned my body the way people learn enemies— by watching closely, by flinching first. mirrors became witnesses, never kind, never silent. every curve a crime, every softness a failure. i shrank myself into apologies, into numbers, into “almost enough,” believing if i disappeared neatly i might finally be seen. now i know —it was never my body that was toxic, it was the voice that taught me to hate living in it.

Every time I scroll through social media, I notice a familiar pattern: influencers presenting flawless, filtered versions of themselves. These images often look so perfect that they create an invisible standard, making viewers feel like they don’t measure up. This epidemic of filters is more than just a trend—it’s shaping how we see ourselves and others in ways that can be harmful. How Filters Shape Our Perception Filters are designed to enhance photos by smoothing skin, brig

Eating disorders are often misunderstood, and the stereotypes surrounding them do more harm than good. Many people believe eating disorders only affect young women who are obsessed with thinness. This narrow view ignores the reality that eating disorders impact people of all genders, ages, and backgrounds. These stereotypes create barriers to seeking help and contribute to stigma. I want to challenge these misconceptions and shed light on the truth behind eating disorders. Ea

I spent my youth in careful thought Of shape and measure, worth and frame, Believing virtue might be found In lesser breadth, in smaller claim. I learned to weigh myself in glances, To read each silence as decree, And held my form to harsh account As though it stood for all of me. How quick the world instructs the eye To judge the vessel, not the soul; How readily we mistake the part For evidence of the whole. Yet time, that patient tutor, shows What youth is loath to underst

I learned my body through mirrors, through numbers whispered like verdicts, through the way praise arrived only when I took up less space. I learned to negotiate with hunger, to call it discipline, to mistake silence for strength and absence for control. But this body— it carried me through classrooms and kitchens, held my breath when I cried in bathrooms, showed up every day even when I wanted to disappear. I blamed it for changing, for softness, for need, for not staying sm

Pica is a condition that involves eating items that are not typically considered food. This behavior can be puzzling and concerning for many people, especially when it affects children or adults. Understanding pica is important because it can lead to health risks and may signal underlying issues that need attention. This article explores what pica is, its causes, symptoms, potential dangers, and ways to manage or treat the condition. What Is Pica? Pica is an eating disorder c

Exercise is widely praised for its benefits to physical and mental health. Yet, when does a healthy habit turn into a harmful compulsion? Exercise addiction, also known as compulsive exercise, is a condition where individuals feel an uncontrollable urge to work out, often at the expense of their well-being. Understanding this condition is crucial for anyone who values fitness but wants to avoid its darker side. What Is Exercise Addiction? Exercise addiction involves an obsess

She learns early to fear her reflection. Not for what it shows, but for how much it lies. Some days it stretches her. Some days it shrinks her. Some days it makes her disappear entirely. Still, she looks — because not looking feels like failing, and she has spent her whole life trying not to fail at being someone she never chose to be. There are mornings when her body feels borrowed, stitched together from apologies she never meant to make. She tugs at her shirt, at her skin,

Rumination disorder is a condition that often goes unnoticed but can have significant effects on a person's health and well-being. It involves the repeated regurgitation of food, which may be re-chewed, re-swallowed, or spit out. This behavior is not due to a medical problem like acid reflux but is a distinct disorder that requires attention and care. What Is Rumination Disorder? Rumination disorder is characterized by the effortless regurgitation of recently eaten food. Unli

Night Eating Syndrome (NES) is a lesser-known eating disorder that affects many people worldwide. It involves a pattern of eating that disrupts normal sleep and eating habits, often leading to distress and health issues. Understanding NES can help those affected recognize the signs and seek appropriate support. What Is Night Eating Syndrome? NES is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating during the night, typically after the evening meal or waking up from sleep to eat.