During this unprecedented worldwide pandemic, I have been struggling to finish writing a book about my own PTSD—as more trauma piles into all of our lives. Meanwhile, my colleague Dr. Tian Dayton began and finished writing an entire book with tools to navigate the COVID-19 crisis by the end of May! I learned about her new workbook Maintaining Your Emotional Sobriety During COVID-19 in an email she sent out on May 25, which just so happens to be my birthday. Indeed, Dr. Dayton’s work and her new book are precious gifts in my life. Her work is a constant reminder for me to slow down, listen to m ..read more

Ed is that unwelcome guest at holiday occasions. He inevitably shows up at each festivity, and he ruins everything. At least, that was my victim thinking many years ago. I blamed Ed, because it was easier and less scary than being accountable for myself. Ed is not a crazy ex-boyfriend but my ex-eating disorder. In therapy, I learned to treat anorexia nervosa, which I named Ed (an acronym for “eating disorder”), like a relationship — rather than an illness or a condition. Personifying my eating disorder helped me to separate from it and to make room for the real me. Eating Disorders are Re ..read more

By Jenni Schaefer with Kim Collins, MS, RDN, CDE, CEDRD-S Back in the day, my eating disorder (aka “Ed”) would have provided all kinds of ways for coping with COVID-19. Unfortunately, none of his coping mechanisms involve recovery. Have you heard Ed chiming in with excuses to cut back on your own recovery efforts during this unprecedented worldwide pandemic? Ed might say that holding onto “just” one or two eating disorder behaviors isn’t that big of a deal. In my own recovery, Ed frequently said something like, “It’s okay to restrict food — just a little.” Yet what I learned is that ..read more

“Connect, connect, connect,” therapists have told me far more times than I can count. Isolation is what kills when it comes to eating disorders. Trauma is disconnection. Recovery is connection. Depression thrives in solitude, so support saves. Enter a worldwide pandemic. Now what?! Over a decade ago, Ed (a.k.a. my “eating disorder”) would have used the coronavirus as a perfect excuse to keep me holed up in my own personal quarantine of disaster and destruction. Depression would have wholeheartedly agreed: “You can’t reach out for support. It isn’t safe.” Years later, trauma, stuck on high aler ..read more

Trauma specializes in hiding. It rarely wears a sign saying, “Hey, I’m right here!” In fact, it is frequently the opposite. People who have endured trauma commonly don’t even know it themselves. One of trauma’s favorite hiding places is in our very own brain — in the form of denial, minimization, or dissociative amnesia (the inability to remember that is not associated with usual everyday forgetfulness). Trauma specializes in hiding. It rarely wears a sign saying, “Hey, I’m right here!” One key aspect of trauma-informed care means that mental healthcare providers are aware that trauma like ..read more

Trauma specializes in hiding. It rarely wears a sign saying, “Hey, I’m right here!” In fact, it is frequently the opposite. People who have endured trauma commonly don’t even know it themselves. One of trauma’s favorite hiding places is in our very own brain — in the form of denial, minimization, or dissociative amnesia (the inability to remember that is not associated with usual everyday forgetfulness). Trauma specializes in hiding. It rarely wears a sign saying, “Hey, I’m right here!” One key aspect of trauma-informed care means that mental healthcare providers are aware that trauma like ..read more

Ed is that unwelcome guest at holiday occasions. He inevitably shows up at each festivity, and he ruins everything. At least, that was my victim thinking many years ago. I blamed Ed, because it was easier and less scary than being accountable for myself. Ed is not a crazy ex-boyfriend but my ex-eating disorder. In therapy, I learned to treat anorexia nervosa, which I named Ed (an acronym for “eating disorder”), like a relationship — rather than an illness or a condition. Personifying my eating disorder helped me to separate from it and to make room for the real me. Eating Disorders are Real No ..read more

Ed silences us. Recovery helps us to find our voice. That is just what Morgan Blair shows us with her new book, Unpolished Journey: An Uncensored Look at Recovery from an Eating Disorder. Congratulations, Morgan, and thank you for donating signed copies! For a chance to win a signed book, see information at the bottom of this post. Unpolished Journey: An Uncensored Look at Recovery from an Eating Disorder 06/23/16 “The body is a machine. You must use it or it gets rusty.” Win a Copy! See details below. I came across this line written in one of my journals from 10 years ago. When I wrote thi ..read more

This is a book that I will recommend again and again! Thriving after Trauma is a beautifully written, inspirational account of courage and resilience. Thanks to author Shari Botwin, LCSW, for both sharing your courageous personal story as well as your expert clinical wisdom. Not to mention, your compassion and heart make this book really hit home.  For a chance to win a signed book, see information at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out Shari Botwin’s website to learn more. Thriving After Trauma: Stories of Living and Healing From Chapter 7: Reaping the Benefits of Your Recovery Win ..read more

I met Dr. Tian Dayton about a decade ago in Nashville, Tennessee. I was a bit starstruck. She is not only an incredible author and clinician but also just a totally cool human being. She is humble, giving, and don’t even get me started on her wisdom. It is such an honor to work alongside her on the Senior Fellow team at The Meadows. Below, she shares a beautiful excerpt with us from her upcoming book, The Soulful Journey of Recovery. Forgiveness is such an important topic and one not discussed enough. Please see the note at the bottom of the post to enter to win a signed copy of Dr. Dayton’s b ..read more