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Resources for Individuals, Families and Providers

Browse our selection of eating disorder resources. 

Understanding Eating Disorders

What are Eating Disorders?

A class of behavioral, psychological and physical health diagnoses in which one’s relationship with food and body are disturbed

  • An estimated 9% of the U.S. population, or 28.8 million Americans, will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. (Rates are likely underestimated due to lack of identifying eating disorders in many medical settings).* 

  • Eating disorders are associated with increased risk of suicide, premature death, and potentially severe and life threatening medical complications.

  • Many individuals who engage in restrictive behaviors may also suffer from Anosognosia - an experience in which the individual is unaware of the severity of the problem.

Eating Disorders do not discriminate!

  • Every gender, race, sexuality, nationality, bodied group can and does experience eating disorders

  • Every person of any body type, shape and weight is at risk

  • Only 6% of individuals diagnosed with an eating disorder is medically underweight** - meaning that the vast majority of folks who suffer will be in a straight size or larger body.

*Deloitte Access Economics. (2020, June). The Social and Economic Cost of Eating Disorders in the United States of America: A Report for the Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders and the Academy for Eating Disorders.
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/striped/wp-content/uploads/sites/1267/2020/07/Social-Economic-Cost-of-Eating-Disorders-in-US.pdf
 

**Flament, M. F., Henderson, K., Buchholz, A., Obeid, N., Nguyen, H. N., Birmingham, M., & Goldfield, G. (2015). Weight Status and DSM-5 Diagnoses of Eating Disorders in Adolescents From the Community. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 54(5), 403–411.e2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2015.01.020

Eating Disorder Diagnoses

Anorexia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa

Binge Eating Disorder

Avoidance and Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

For an in-depth explanation of each diagnosis, please refer to the Alliance for Eating Disorders

Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder

Signs and Symptoms

Emotional

Physical

Preoccupation with weight

calorie counting

Weighing self

Withdrawing from others

“Fat talk”

Obsessive thinking

Increased Anxiety

Struggles with self-esteem

Increased feelings of shame

Frequent mood shifts

Noticeable weight gain or loss

Changes in menstrual cycles

Abnormal blood work results

Difficulty regulating body temperature

Tooth decay

Dizziness

Difficulty concentrating, making decisions

Fainting

Irregular sleep

Excessive fine hair growth on body

Increased gastrointestinal complaints

Behavioral

Body checking

Avoidance of mirrors

Frequent use of restroom

Frequent teeth brushing

Skipping meals

Declining meals, sharing food or invitations

Eliminating one or more food groups from diet

Eating in private frequently or hiding food

Frequent dieting

Mismanaging diabetes medication/insulin

**If you are concerned about yourself or your child, free clinical assessments are available at Project Heal. 

Understanding Eating Disorders
Caregiver Resources

Caregiver Resources

Being a caregiver, friend or loved one of an individual with and eating disorder can be a complex and overwhelming experience. You may experience feelings of pride for being trusted while simultaneously feeling shame, blame, fear and confusion for how to assist in their recovery. At EDCI we find it equally important to support the caregivers as we do the individual with an eating disorder. Making sure you are informed, supported and taken care of, yourselves, is important to best assist your loved one. ​

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Below are a number of resources we recommend you explore: 

EDCI logo in teal

The Alliance for Eating Disorder Awareness Friends and Family Virtual Support Group:

Open to all caregivers, support group meetings are held Thursday evenings (6pm Central): Support Group Information

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NEDA (National Eating Disorder Awareness) Caregiver Resources:

Browse NEDA's tips for helping a loved one. Includes an excellent Parent Tool-Kit download: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/help/caregivers

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Eating Disorder Family Support Network (EDFSN):

An online support network for families. This network was created by families, for families of loved ones with an eating disorder. It is critical for families that are navigating this journey with their loved one to have life-saving resources and support on the path to recovery. 

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EDFSN includes: 

Mom2Mom- a closed private Facebook support group for moms, surrogate moms, and female caregivers. We are “moms helping moms” navigate the path to recovery. This group offers EDucation, wisdom, and compassion with a stringent vetting policy to provide a safe place of support. https://www.facebook.com/groups/EatingDisordersMom2Mom/ 

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Man2Man- a closed group for dads, husbands, partners, step-dads, surrogate fathers or male caregivers to support one another as you support your loved one on the journey to recovery. https://www.facebook.com/groups/EatingDisordersMan2Man/ 

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Mom2Mom Child Loss- a closed group supporting mothers whose loved one has died as a direct result of their eating disorder. https://www.facebook.com/groups/Mom2MomLoss/ 

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EDFSN Professionals- a closed group where parents and carers can ask specific questions and receive support from professionals specialized in eating disorders. A group where collaboration is the goal. 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/EatingDisordersProfessionals/ 

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EDFSN Advocacy- a closed group for parents, siblings (over 15), caregivers, and advocates to share advocacy ideas and campaigns, thoughts, information on eating disorders, helping to create awareness, improved understanding, and create change. 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/EatingDisordersAdvocacy/ 

Hope Network HUG Kits and the Recovery Roadmaps:

We value providing extra support for our family caregivers supporting a loved one in recovery. That is why we're providing access as an Affiliate to both the Recovery Roadmaps three-part webinar series featuring the shared wisdom of Becky Henry, Ibbits Newhall, and Wendy Wright as well as Becky Henry's HUG Kits. Because providing low-cost support to family caregivers means so much to us, we've contracted with Recovery Roadmaps to give 20% of your purchase price back into our family programming. 

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Hug Kits: Contain a link to short videos that cover 10 different topics along with a downloadable PDF guidebook for the video series. You will also receive a physical copy of Becky Henry’s book Just Tell Her to Stop: Family Stories of Eating Disorders.  https://beckyhenry.com/hug-toolkits/

HUG Toolkit Code: EDCI

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Recovery Roadmaps: This webinar series will start with an introductory video, provide assistance in helping families choose a treatment facility and getting the most from the treatment program. The last webinar will help families with the transition when their loved ones return home.

https://recoveryroadmaps.podia.com/recovery-roadmap-series?coupon=EDCI

RRS Affiliate Code: EDCI

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*Please note that EDCI is an affiliate with Becky Henry and Hope Network. EDCI will receive a small commission for purchases made via our affiliate links. This commission allows us to continue to provide awareness, resources and support to caregivers in Iowa. 

Resources for School: 

Check out these downloads for how to advocate for your student and obtain a 504 plan if needed.

Tips for Sending your Child to College

Funding Assistance

Funding Assistance

Here at EDCI we are aware of the astronomical costs associated with a higher level of care of treatment. Many families may find themselves in an impossible situation in knowing their child would benefit from a higher level of care but due to being uninsured or under-insured, are unable to access this needed care. Below are a short list of resources in which families and individuals may access to apply for financial assistance.*Please note that these resources are not vetted by EDCI. EDCI is not responsible for the content or outcome of any financial application or funding source provided below:

Provider Resources

Provider Resources

Training Opportunities

EDCI Hosts professional CE training opportunities in the fall of odd numbered years. We alternate with Amy's Gift (even number years) to offer high quality education for providers in the treatment of eating disorders.

 

Lunch and learns and additional CE opportunities are available yearly!

Join our Professional Listserv

EDCI is excited to host our Listserv for professionals who treat or would like to learn more about treating eating disorders.

In this group you will find a wide array of professionals including therapists, psychologists, nurses, dietitians and medical providers. Collectively, we hope to use this listserve to provide more connection among ED providers. We encourage providers to utilize this listserv for any of the following reasons: 

 

  • To refer potential clients to providers who have some level of experience and expertise with eating disorders

  • To share information, resources and education 

  • To ask questions and process client-related issues in a safe environment (while protecting client confidentiality)

  • To receive support as we engage in this important work

 

To request to join the listserv, please email our membership chair.

Professional Consultation Group

EDCI hosts a monthly professional consultation group for providers working with eating disorders. Participants are welcome to bring a case for consultation or join to listen, offer insight, or observe. Therapists, physicians, dietitians, nurses, and students are welcome.

 

The group meets virtually via zoom on the third Thursday of every month at 8am. 

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Email our group leader, Kim Curran, to receive the zoom link.

Professional Membership

We invite licensed/certified professionals who treat eating disorders to join EDCI as a Professional Member. As a member, you will receive numerous benefits including a listing on our website, registration discounts to our events and a free CE opportuntity each year! For more information, check out our membership page

EDCI Logo in neon yellow
Virtual Support Groups

Virtual Support Group Options

Virtual group options are available at low or NO cost for both individuals and friends/family members. 

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