Contributor: Rita Ekelman, RDN, LDN, MBA, Director of Nutrition Services, Timberline Knolls The world is full of stereotypes. If a man is a self-proclaimed computer nerd, you might expect him to look studious and intellectual. If, on the other hand, a woman was a professional athlete, you might expect her to look muscular and fit. Whether anorexia or bulimia, eating disorders also have certain stereotypes. It is assumed that the person will be female, probably an adolescent or young adult. Although once a reasonable assumption, that archetype is changing. Not only are males becoming far more i ..read more

Contributor: By Rita Ekelman MBA, RDN, LDN, Director of Nutrition Services, Timberline Knolls Bulimia nervosa is an extremely dangerous disease. The truth is that the human body was never meant to ingest enormous amounts of food and then be called upon to purge that food. Vomiting was intended to function as an escape mechanism; if a person ate something that was harmful, the body would expel it. Forcing the human body to repeatedly vomit for months or even years can result in many long-term physical and medical consequences.  Reversing the Damage Permanent dental problems are not uncommo ..read more

Low self-esteem is an integral part of eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED), often driving many of the disordered thoughts and behaviors that characterize these conditions. But that doesn’t mean this low state of mind has to define the people who struggle with eating disorders. It’s possible to overcome low self-esteem in eating disorder treatment and recovery with a number of therapeutic techniques and tools that can help you reestablish a healthier outlook and relationship with yourself, you ..read more

Contributor: By Rachael Clauson, MAAT, Eating Disorder Specialist, Timberline Knolls Altering photographs is nothing new. Since the creation of film, professional photographers have employed a variety of methods to get the “look” they desire: lighting, backdrops, filters, staging.  Now, fast forward many decades to a world where almost all photos in magazines and advertisements are shamelessly doctored.  We are well-aware of the negative impact that advertising has on adolescents. But what about children, those who are say under ten?  We might want to think that photoshopped ima ..read more

Contributor: Amy M. Klimek, MA, LCPC, Director of Program Development, Eating Disorder Program Coordinator, Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center Eating disorders manifest in many different ways and one does not look like another. Yet, one thing they often have in common is that they rarely present alone. When two or more disorders or illnesses occur simultaneously in the same individual, it is referred to as co-occurring disorders, also known as co-morbidities in the field of behavioral health. The question of which came first is irrelevant and historically, an individual often ..read more

Transcript from our February 18, 2015 TweetChat with Dr. Riley Nickols of the Victory Program at McCallum Place. “Athletes and Eating Disorders” Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your background. What is your role at the Victory Program? Sports have always been an integral part of my life and I feel very fortunate to work with athletes every day in the Victory Program. I played baseball in college and was introduced to sport psychology after I struggled with a career ending shoulder injury. Shortly thereafter, I obtained an M.S. in Sport Psychology. I then earned a M.A ..read more

Unhealthy behaviors and attitudes around food and eating can have any number of origins, including through the experience of starvation or trauma. A history of food insecurity can lead to food hoarding, or contribute to other disordered eating behaviors that may develop into more complex mental health conditions, including binge eating disorder (BED). And a history of trauma can also contribute to the development of hoarding behaviors, as individuals may feel a sense of control and safety in collecting and saving resources. What is Food Hoarding? Food hoarding describes the tendency ..read more

Eating disorders are a group of complex mental health conditions that involve disturbances in eating behaviors, body image, and self-esteem. They include anorexia nervosa, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), binge-eating disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, bulimia nervosa, emotional eating, and laxative abuse. Eating disorders often begin during adolescence, highlighting the importance of early detection and intervention. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD), up to 57% of adolescent girls engage in unhealthy behaviors such as ..read more

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is more than just a physical illness—it’s a relentless battle that takes a toll on the mind, emotions, and spirit. The journey toward recovery can often feel lonely and overwhelming. But for individuals struggling with this serious eating disorder, there is hope. Recovery from anorexia nervosa is possible, and there are important milestones along the way that can help individuals navigate the journey. In particular, there are four key stages of anorexia recovery, which someone working on this difficult task can use to help stay focused, work through any challenges or ..read more

Purging disorder is a common and dangerous yet widely misunderstood eating disorder. The disordered behaviors involved in the condition are similar to some aspects of bulimia nervosa (BN), leading many people to misread or misdiagnose what’s actually going on. Others may miss the condition all together, thanks to misconceptions and confusion around the eating disorder behaviors that constitute purging. Still, there are some signs and symptoms to look out for that may indicate someone is struggling with this particular mental health condition. Learning these risk factors could be a cr ..read more