Few things are more isolating then an eating disorder, so imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon a whole online community of people who’d shared, explored and talked about the feelings and experiences that I’d considered to be totally unique –
And I’m definitely not talking pro-anorexia.
It’s amazing how powerful reading your thoughts in other people’s words can be; and, how reassuring it is to know that you’re not on your own with it all.
This is a different kind of help to more traditional support networks, but empathy’s a great doorway to personal insight, and I had kind of overlooked the research and information which has now helped me to understand the scientific, psychological and cultural reasons behind my illness.
The following sites are a miniscule selection of the talented and inspirational people out there. They’re mostly written by those who’ve experienced some sort of eating disorder or know a lot about them, and contain a mixture of personal insights and psychological information….
VoiceInRecovery is exactly as the name would suggest. With a huge online presence that I follow on twitter, VoiceinRecovery sends out the most recent research and articles relating to all things eating disorder, helping to promote information, discussion and open debate.
Ed bites is an award winning health blogger, bringing together research and personal experience in an intelligent and inspiring way.
With practical advice and inspiring interviews, Weightless blog is aimed – in its own words – at helping “women develop a better body image and work toward accepting themselves as they are, while being healthy and happy (fad diets and skinny-mini standards prohibited!)…” Weighing the Facts also provides great eating disorder related information and resources.
Eloquent, insightful and beautifully written, Marine Snow is a personal blog about eating disorder recovery. As is Between Living and Existing, another honest account of living with an eating disorder.
The Fat Nutritionist promises to “help you get to a friendly place with food and your body” – and succeeds, admirably; whilst The F-Word.org looks at “Food. Fat. Femininism” and “…is dedicated to talking about and sharing ideas about the intersections of these taboo and often weighty issues, while creating a dynamic and supportive community of food-loving, body-accepting feminists.”
Equally uplifting and inspiring is Beautiful You which writes about “issues relating to body image, self esteem, size acceptance and media literacy”.
And that’s just for starters…
Explore the links through some of these sites and it quickly becomes clear that there are many, many more blogs and sites and tweeters out there who can help you to reach conclusions about your experiences and gain some insight into eating disorders –
Or just demonstrate that you’re definitely not battling alone.
