Understanding the Hidden Roots and Lasting Impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences

Eating disorders are often seen through the lens of food, weight, and control. But for many individuals, especially those with persistent or severe symptoms, the roots run deeper — often back to early life experiences that shaped how they relate to their bodies, emotions, and safety in the world.

Early Life Stress (ELS) refers to significant stressors or adversities experienced during childhood, including neglect, abuse, household dysfunction, and other forms of trauma. Research increasingly shows that ELS is not only linked to mental health concerns in general — it is a major risk factor in the development and maintenance of eating disorders.

Eating disorders are not just about food, weight, or willpower — they are complex mental health conditions rooted in a combination of biology, psychology, and environment. One key biological factor often overlooked in public conversations about eating disorders is dopamine: a neurotransmitter that plays a central role in reward, motivation, and learning.

In individuals with eating disorders, dopamine systems may function differently, affecting how people experience hunger, pleasure, anxiety, and even self-control. Understanding dopamine's role can offer insight into both the development of eating disorders and the challenges of recovery — including why it can be so difficult to change behaviors even when someone desperately wants to get better.

When we think about bullying, we often think of someone else: a harsh classmate, an online troll, a toxic peer group. But for many people—especially those navigating eating disorders, anxiety, or trauma—the harshest voice they hear isn’t external.

It’s internal.
And it sounds like their own.

Self-criticism is one of the most common yet overlooked forms of emotional self-harm. It often hides behind the guise of “motivation” or “self-discipline,” but over time, it chips away at self-esteem, mental health, and the capacity to heal.

In this post, we explore what self-criticism really is, why it develops, and how to begin replacing it with something far more healing: self-kindness.

Books to Support Eating Disorder Recovery, Self-Acceptance, and Mental Wellness

When celebrities share their experiences with eating disorders, the world pays attention. From candid interviews to memoirs and social media posts, public figures are increasingly opening up about their battles with food, body image, and mental health — and in doing so, they are helping to break stigma, normalize recovery, and inspire change.

But these stories are not just about fame. They reveal the deeply human side of eating disorders — struggles with shame, control, perfectionism, and pain. And while public disclosures can't replace individualized care, they can make someone feel less alone.

This bl

Opening up about an eating disorder (ED) to a significant other can feel scary and vulnerable, but having their support and understanding can be a huge part of your recovery. If you’re ready to share, here’s how to approach the conversation in a way that fosters trust, honesty, and emotional safety.

Eating at a restaurant can feel overwhelming, stressful, or triggering in eating disorder recovery. Preparing ahead of time can help reduce anxiety, increase confidence, and create a more positive dining experience.

Celebrating milestones in eating disorder recovery is important because it reinforces progress, boosts motivation, and acknowledges your strength. Every step forward—big or small—deserves recognition. Here’s how to celebrate in a way that aligns with your healing journey.

The short answer is: Yes, full recovery from an eating disorder is possible, but the process looks different for everyone. Recovery is not always quick or linear, but with the right support, healing is achievable.

Birthdays can be exciting, emotional, or even challenging in eating disorder recovery. They often involve food, social gatherings, and body image thoughts, which might bring up anxiety or ED urges. However, your birthday is about celebrating YOU—not about stress, guilt, or food rules.

some great digital tools and resources to help you create your own inspiring collage!

A vision board is a powerful tool in eating disorder recovery. It serves as a visual reminder of your recovery goals, values, and motivations. Seeing positive images and affirmations daily can reinforce your commitment to healing and keep you focused on progress.

It’s easy to feel like your eating disorder is a core part of who you are, especially if it has been present for a long time. However, your eating disorder is not your personality, identity, or worth. It is something you are experiencing—not something that defines you.

It’s completely valid to feel like your eating disorder is not the real problem—because in many ways, it isn’t. Eating disorders are not just about food, weight, or body image; they are often a symptom of something deeper—unresolved emotions, trauma, anxiety, perfectionism, or the need for control.

If you’re feeling this way, let’s explore what’s underneath your eating disorder and how to navigate recovery with this understanding.

Meal planning in eating disorder recovery can help reduce anxiety around food, build consistency, and ensure balanced nutrition while supporting a healthy relationship with eating. However, it’s important to approach meal planning in a flexible, non-restrictive way that aligns with recovery goals.

Changing eating habits—whether for eating disorder recovery, intuitive eating, or improving nutrition—is a gradual process that takes time, patience, and self-compassion. You won’t wake up one day with a completely different mindset, and that’s okay.

Unfortunately, not everyone will be supportive or understanding of your eating disorder (ED) and recovery journey. Whether they dismiss your struggles, invalidate your experiences, or repeatedly ignore your boundaries, it can be frustrating and even harmful to your mental health.

Setting boundaries is an important part of eating disorder (ED) recovery, but not everyone will understand or respect them right away. Some people might push back, argue, or dismiss your boundaries, whether out of confusion, habit, or lack of awareness.

The short answer is yes, having one eating disorder (ED) increases the risk of developing another, but it’s not inevitable. Understanding why this happens and how to prevent it can help you stay on a path toward full recovery rather than shifting between different ED behaviors.

Bariatric surgery, such as gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, or lap-band procedures, is often considered for individuals with obesity-related health concerns. However, when eating disorders (EDs) are present or untreated, bariatric treatment comes with significant risks, psychological challenges, and potential worsening of disordered eating behaviors.