“In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or step back into safety.” -Abraham Maslow
September 17, 2014, was the absolute worst, yet best day of my life. On this Wednesday afternoon, I finally checked into rehab. I was completely mortified as I began signing in. Both my mind and body wanted to run as I watched a complete stranger lock away my phone and search my bags.
People often judge with their eyes before listening with their ears. This is why I believe invisible disabilities can be overlooked, or discounted. If you cannot see a problem, it is most likely not there, right? If someone has the perfect body, no way can they suffer from self-esteem issues. If someone isn’t incapacitated or screaming, there’s no way they could be in pain.
“Monthly Matters with Melody” is a monthly advice column by Dr. Melody Moore, a clinical psychologist, yoga instructor and the founder of the Embody Love Movement Foundation. Her foundation is a non-profit whose mission is to empower girls and women to celebrate their inner beauty, commit to kindness and contribute to meaningful change in the world. Dr. Moore is a social entrepreneur who trains facilitators on how to teach programs to prevent negative body image and remind girls and women of their inherent worth.
The word “diet” isn’t necessarily synonymous with body positivity—quite the opposite, actually. The body-positive movement is rooted in ideals such as self-love and appreciation; it’s a backlash against a diet culture that defines beautiful as slim and encourages us to continually strive for “better” bodies. In that sense, it would be oxymoronic to champion a body-positive attitude while adhering to a prescribed way of eating, right?
Our mental health is always with us. Even now, countless individuals around the world on any given day are asking the question: where do we find the information and comfort we need to “fight the battle of our lives” against anxiety, depression, eating disorders and any other mental health disorder?
Penn State kicker Joey Julius publicly disclosed his struggle with binge eating disorder (BED) in a recent Facebook post. From May through July of this year, Julius received treatment at a St. Louis facility that specializes in eating disorders.
Dr. Lesley Williams is a certified eating disorder specialist, family medicine physician and positive body image advocate. She co-owns Liberation Center, an eating disorder treatment facility, in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Williams is dedicated to ensuring that all women and men who struggle with eating and body image issues receive the help that they need to overcome and live happy, healthy lives.
The 2016 NEDA Conference may be over, but the lasting friendships and memories will stay with attendees long after they depart Chicago. The day kicked off with members of our Family Panel sharing insights on their experiences with eating disorders, recovery and treatment.
NEDA is so excited to be here in the bustling Chicago area for the 2016 NEDA Conference! This year’s Conference is themed, “The Sky’s the Limit: Advances and Insights in Eating Disorders Treatment and Prevention.”
Attendees kicked off the day with a Shire-sponsored breakfast with Monica Seles, renowned tennis player and author of Getting a Grip: On My Body, My Mind, My Self.
I love going to the art museum and perusing the galleries full of endless masterpieces. There are paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, installations, photography...the wonders are endless. Speaking of which, bodies are like that too, aren’t they? It’s hard for most of us (especially those who have struggled with an ED) to think about, but the truth is that we are each a wonderful work of art. Something that helped me realize this was a figure drawing class I took back in college.
