Navigating the Eating Disorder Recovery Journey: Embracing the Messiness

Navigating the Eating Disorder Recovery Journey: Embracing the Messiness

Recovering from an eating disorder is a transformative journey, filled with challenges, setbacks, and moments of growth. Understanding and embracing the messiness of this process is essential for progress and ultimately, healing.

Navigating an eating disorder recovery journey is anything but linear. Goals may seem out of reach, setbacks are common, but it’s important to remember that recovery is a process filled with ups and downs. Give yourself the grace you deserve as you navigate through the complexities of recovery.

Understanding and Embracing the Messiness:

Understanding and embracing the messiness of the recovery journey is crucial for progress and healing. Recovery, often misunderstood, is a beautiful path of personal growth where messiness plays an integral role in transformation. Learning to embrace difficult emotions and allowing them to coexist is liberating, emphasizing the importance of finding balance between accepting the messiness and recognizing inherent worthiness. It’s essential to acknowledge that recovery is not a linear path; it entails ups and downs, good days, and bad days. Setbacks are natural and expected, but what truly matters is the resilience to pick yourself up and continue moving forward.

 

Navigating Challenges Along the Nonlinear Path of Recovery:

Difficult days are inevitable, regardless of where you are in your recovery journey. Challenges vary and can be triggered by different factors at different stages. Remember, tough days don’t erase progress; they pave the way for brighter, more fulfilling days! Various occurrences can act as bumps in the road towards recovery. Whether it’s navigating triggers during the holidays, adjusting to changes in career or living situations, or simply managing fluctuations in one’s own thoughts and emotions, each obstacle offers an opportunity for growth. It’s important to acknowledge these challenges but also to remember the progress made.

 

Building a Support System:

A strong support system is crucial for navigating the challenges of eating disorder recovery. Surrounding yourself with individuals who understand and validate your experiences can provide invaluable encouragement, guidance, and reassurance during challenging times. Whether it’s friends, family members, therapists, or support groups, cultivating a network of trusted allies can make all the difference in one’s journey towards healing. Remember, you don’t have to face this journey alone!

Recovery is one of the biggest and most rewarding decisions you can make for yourself. You deserve full freedom from your eating disorder, and you deserve recovery.

Remember, recovery is not only possible but achievable. It’s a journey filled with hope and potential, allowing you to navigate through the challenges and celebrate your progress. By embracing the messiness of the process and staying committed to your healing journey, you can move forward one step at a time.

Embrace the journey, celebrate your progress, and hold onto the belief that healing is within reach. You deserve to live a life free from the constraints of an eating disorder, and with your strength and resilience, you can make it happen.

Remember, you are not alone in your journey. At Prosperity Eating Disorders and Wellness Center, we are here to support you every step of the way. Together, we will navigate the complexities of recovery and help you achieve full recovery and freedom from your eating disorder.

Virginia’s Premier Day Treatment And Intensive Outpatient Treatment Centers

Prosperity Eating Disorders & Wellness Center specializes in the treatment of eating disorders while offering evidence-based, comprehensive, ethical, and individualized treatment to all ages, ethnicities, genders, and eating disorders. Our goal is to help sufferers find a full recovery by meeting their psychological, nutritional, emotional, and relational needs. We specialize in treating Anorexia, Bulimia, EDNOS, Orthorexia, and Binge Eating Disorder. With locations in Herndon and Norfolk, Prosperity is equipped to serve the needs of adolescents and adults throughout Virginia. 

Get started with Prosperity Eating Disorders & Wellness Center today!

Five Eating Disorder Truths and Tips for Parents

Five Eating Disorder Truths and Tips for Parents

Written By: Adrianna Rodriguez, MS, MFT, CFBT

Coming to the realization that your child has an eating disorder can be overwhelming.

It’s daunting and scary. Learning how to navigate the ups and downs of an eating disorder requires a great deal of self-awareness and patience. I have found that parents most certainly have the power to help their child begin to heal – even if the child isn’t fully ready.


In family therapy, we explore not only the best ways to communicate with one another but also identify and practice the most effective ways to show up for and support your child.

In this blog post, I will highlight the top five things to focus on as you walk alongside your loved one on the path to full recovery from their eating disorder.

1. Recovery is Long and it is not a Linear Journey

Recovery comes in waves like a roller coaster, involving progress and setbacks – both of which are normal. It’s important to set realistic expectations for what recovery will look like. Parents are eager to see their child return to being their true selves. It’s important not to rush the process to avoid relapse.

2. Be Strong, Calm, and Consistent

Most importantly, do not negotiate during meals. The eating disorder is masterful at manipulation, so it’s imperative that parents are on the same page and show up as a united front against it. Eating disorders thrive off heightened emotions and overreactions, so remaining calm is crucial. Maintaining a sense of calm during mealtimes will help your child have the confidence to recover. Additionally, being consistent with meal expectations can help alleviate anxiety and fear.

3. Maintain Clear Mealtime Rules

One way to minimize stress is to keep your child out of the kitchen when cooking and serving meals. This can alleviate anticipatory anxiety around the upcoming meal. Incorporating distractions at mealtimes, such as games or watching television, can diffuse tension and shift the focus away from the food. Encourage the completion of meals and avoid engaging in power struggles. By providing firm and loving support, you are sending the message that you will not let the eating disorder take hold and that recovery is the only option. A non-shaming approach can be much more effective than a shaming one, so encourage meal completion in a non-judgmental and tempered manner.

4. Externalize the Disorder

Externalization of the disorder is a critical tool that allows the parent to temper their anger and frustration towards their child. It involves separating the child from the chaos and ravages of the eating disorder. This is most helpful when the eating disorder is driving disruptive behaviors, anger, abuse, etc. It helps prevent getting pulled into power struggles and reminds parents that the behaviors stem from the disorder itself. Your child has not consciously chosen this; rather, they want and deserve help.

5. Steer Clear of Blame, Guilt, and Shame

Blaming yourself or your child does not serve either of you. It is common for both parents and children to experience guilt. One thing is certain: guilt reduces your self-efficacy as a parent and your ability to remain grounded. It also poses challenges to your ability to help your child overcome the eating disorder. Just as it is unhelpful to place blame or guilt on yourself, it is also important not to blame or guilt your child. Just like you would not blame your child if they developed diabetes or any other physical illness, the most important thing to do is to be involved in your child’s recovery and offer them compassion and unconditional love.

Supporting your loved one with an eating disorder is a challenging task. At Prosperity Eating Disorders and Wellness Center, our team is committed to walking you through and providing you with all the tools you need to help your child successfully reach full recovery from their eating disorder!

Virginia’s Premier Day Treatment And Intensive Outpatient Treatment Centers

Prosperity Eating Disorders & Wellness Center specializes in the treatment of eating disorders while offering evidence-based, comprehensive, ethical, and individualized treatment to all ages, ethnicities, genders, and eating disorders. Our goal is to help sufferers find a full recovery by meeting their psychological, nutritional, emotional, and relational needs. We specialize in treating Anorexia, Bulimia, EDNOS, Orthorexia, and Binge Eating Disorder. With locations in Herndon and Norfolk, Prosperity is equipped to serve the needs of adolescents and adults throughout Virginia. 

Get started with Prosperity Eating Disorders & Wellness Center today!

3 Often-Missed Signs of Binge Eating Disorder in Teens

3 Often-Missed Signs of Binge Eating Disorder in Teens

What is Binge Eating Disorder?

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a severe and treatable eating disorder that affects many teenagers across the United States. Recognizing the signs of BED is crucial for timely intervention and support. Unfortunately, these signs can be easily missed, and affected teens may keep their struggles hidden from both parents and peers.

In this blog post, we will shed light on three often-missed signs of Binge Eating Disorder in teens and explore why parents may overlook them.

1. The teen hoards food.

Teens with Binge Eating Disorder may engage in secretive behaviors, such as hoarding food. In preparation for their binge episodes, they might collect substantial amounts of food in their rooms or other hidden places. As a parent, it can be challenging to notice this behavior if you do not regularly inspect your child’s personal space. Additionally, during the early stages of binge eating disorder treatment, teens may continue to hoard food as they struggle with the recovery process.

To address this sign, parents can try to have open conversations about their child’s eating habits and emotions. Building a supportive and non-judgmental environment can encourage teens to share their struggles, making it easier to identify signs of BED.

2. The teen prefers to eat alone.

For many families, mealtime is a social occasion that allows parents and children to bond and share experiences. However, a noticeable change in your teen’s eating habits might indicate an underlying issue, such as Binge Eating Disorder. If your child starts eating alone instead of joining family meals, it could be a potential red flag.

Teens with BED may feel ashamed or embarrassed about their binge eating behavior, leading them to eat in solitude to avoid scrutiny. As a parent, it’s essential to pay attention to any shifts in your child’s eating patterns and emotional well-being. Encouraging open communication and expressing concern in a compassionate manner can help teens feel comfortable discussing their feelings and struggles.

3. There are hidden food packages around the house.

Another subtle sign of Binge Eating Disorder in teens is the presence of hidden food packages around the house. After engaging in binge eating episodes, teenagers may attempt to conceal their actions by discarding empty food containers or wrappers in hidden places.

To address this sign, parents can take an active role in understanding their child’s emotional state and overall well-being. Supporting open dialogue about mental health and body image can help teens feel comfortable discussing their struggles and seeking help when needed.

Recognizing the signs of Binge Eating Disorder in teenagers is vital for early intervention and successful treatment. By understanding these often-missed signs and fostering open communication, parents can offer crucial support to their teens during their recovery journey. If you suspect that your child may be struggling with Binge Eating Disorder, seeking professional help from eating disorder specialists or healthcare providers is essential for their well-being and long-term recovery.

Virginia’s Premier Day Treatment And Intensive Outpatient Treatment Centers

Prosperity Eating Disorders & Wellness Center specializes in the treatment of eating disorders while offering evidence-based, comprehensive, ethical, and individualized treatment to all ages, ethnicities, genders, and eating disorders. Our goal is to help sufferers find a full recovery by meeting their psychological, nutritional, emotional, and relational needs. We specialize in treating Anorexia, Bulimia, EDNOS, Orthorexia, and Binge Eating Disorder. With locations in Herndon and Norfolk, Prosperity is equipped to serve the needs of adolescents and adults throughout Virginia. 

Get started with Prosperity Eating Disorders & Wellness Center today!

Tea Party Exposure at Prosperity

Prosperity Tea Party

By: Kelly Wilson, BS, BA, DTR, Nutrition Tech

Here at Prosperity we provide a variety of services to our clients, including multiple types of therapy and nutrition interventions. The clients participate in group and individual sessions with their team of providers, but typically the most difficult work is done at the dining room tables. Exposure is a tool we use often in treating eating disorders due to its proven benefits in the client’s recovery journey (2018). The American Psychological Association defines exposure therapy as a psychological treatment developed by therapists to help people confront their fears and anxiety by breaking the pattern of fear and avoidance (2017). Types of nutrition-related exposures provided at prosperity include a weekly challenge snack, inning meals from restaurants and more. We also include the occasional special exposure like what we did for our Holiday challenge meal this year.

This holiday season we organized a tea party themed meal for our clients. We served an array of finger foods that were placed on serving platters on the table along with a sparkling cider and sherbert drink. The clients were encouraged to grab food from the middle of the table to build their own meal in the moment with the support of our staff. This type of “party appetizer” or “finger food” meal building can be triggering for our clients which is why we arranged to do this exposure in a controlled and supportive environment. Exposing clients to this experience allowed them to practice self-portioning at the table and encouraged them to break the pattern of avoidance (Yetman & Saripalli, 2021). In PHP at Prosperity clients participate in a weekly “build your own” lunch where they plate and portion their own meals. For example, in the past we have had clients build their own taco bowls, salads, loaded baked potatoes and more. What made this tea party themed meal different was having the clients serve themselves at the dining table as opposed to a “buffet style” set up where they build their plates one at a time with the assistance of nutrition staff. All the food-related exposures that we do at Prosperity have the same goal; to create realistic beliefs about the fears that clients have around certain foods and situations while making sure that they feel safe and supported.

At Prosperity any chance to do something special for our clients is exciting to us. We strive to provide an environment for clients to work on recovery but also enjoy coming into everyday. While eating disorder treatment can be challenging we hope that our expert staff and compassionate treatment will guide clients on their journey to full recovery.

American Psychological Association. (2017, January). What is exposure therapy? American Psychological Association. Retrieved December 30, 2022, from https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/exposure-therapy

Yetman, D. (2021, June 21). Exposure therapy: Types, how it’s done, and more. Healthline. Retrieved December 30, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/health/exposure-therapy

What to expect from treatment. National Eating Disorders Association. (2018, August 3). Retrieved December 30, 2022, from https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/what-expect-treatment

Virginia’s Premier Day Treatment And Intensive Outpatient Treatment Centers

Prosperity Eating Disorders & Wellness Center specializes in the treatment of eating disorders while offering evidence-based, comprehensive, ethical, and individualized treatment to all ages, ethnicities, genders, and eating disorders. Our goal is to help sufferers find a full recovery by meeting their psychological, nutritional, emotional, and relational needs. We specialize in treating Anorexia, Bulimia, EDNOS, Orthorexia, and Binge Eating Disorder. With locations in Herndon and Norfolk, Prosperity is equipped to serve the needs of adolescents and adults throughout Virginia. 

Get started with Prosperity Eating Disorders & Wellness Center today!

Prosperity Advocates for Critical Eating Disorder Treatment Legislation

Prosperity Advocates for Critical Eating Disorder Treatment Legislation

Prosperity Eating Disorders and Wellness Center meets with Quena Dailey, Constituent Services Representative of US Senator, Tim Kaine

Prosperity Eating Disorders and Wellness Center had the greatest pleasure and opportunity to meet with Quena Dailey, MPhil, MPA. Quena Dailey is the Constituent Services Representative at the office of United States Senator, Tim Kaine.

Quena Dailey was given a tour of our eating disorder treatment facility in Norfolk, Virginia, as we told her more about who we are, what are doing for our community, and discussed particular issues around insurance coverage for eating disorders. We sat down and discussed the two bills we are working towards getting passed that will make a more significant change in the healthcare and eating disorder community. These bills include the Telemental Healthcare Access Act and the Anna Westin Legacy Act.

The Telemental Healthcare Access Act:

• The bill removes the statutory requirement that Medicare patients be seen in person within 6 months of being treated for mental health services via telehealth.
• This bill is consistent with how SUD telehealth services are covered under Medicare.

• Given commercial payors rely heavily on Medicare to make coverage determinations, we want to ensure these artificial barriers are not replicated in other insurance markets.

The Anna Westin Legacy Act:


• This bill would reauthorize the Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders to continue training primary and allied health professionals to screen, briefly intervene, and refer individuals with eating disorders.

• The bill would expand the evidence-based SBIRT protocol to the pediatric level.

• It would also build adaptive modules for at-risk communities that experience under-identification, including racially diverse and tribal communities, rural communities, men and boys, military families, veterans, and LGBTQ populations.

Prosperity Eating Disorders and Wellness Center would love to thank Quena Dailey for representing US Senator, Tim Kaine, for taking the time to tour our facility, learning more about who we are and what we do as well as listening to the changes that we are so passionate in working towards for our community!

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