What Is Body Checking, Why Is It Harmful, And How Do I Stop?
You see your body every day: in the mirror, shop windows, your mind’s eye. While it’s normal to look in the mirror when you’re getting ready for your day, or feel your body to, for example, see if there are bruises or bites, some people find themselves doing these things much more often. At a…
Binge Eating Disorder Symptoms And Treatment
Binge eating disorder (typically abbreviated as BED) is an eating disorder that’s characterized by two key features: first, eating a large quantity of food (the precise amount is not formally described but it’s usually greater than what most people would typically consume) within a short period of time (usually in less than two hours), and…
ARFID Types, Causes, Symptoms And Treatments
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (usually shortened to ARFID) is an eating disorder that’s characterized by extremely selective eating behaviors, disrupted feeding patterns, or both. As a result, patients with ARFID usually have a chronic failure to obtain their nutritional and/or energy needs, which leads to serious deficiencies. In children, this usually leads to an inability…
Various Types Of Hunger: Honoring Your Body’s Needs
In diet culture, there has been a lot of speculation about the various types of hunger. There’s also debate about which hunger signals are “valid” and which ones are not. For example, you’ve probably heard “wellness” influencers and “health and fitness” bloggers all ask something along the lines of: On the surface, the purpose of…
Transitioning to an Intuitive Eating Approach in Eating Disorder Recovery
Intuitive eating can play a major role in eating disorder recovery. For those struggling with eating disorders, the idea of finding freedom with food may seem unattainable at first. The rigid rules and constant battles with food can make it hard to believe that a peaceful relationship with eating is possible. However, Intuitive Eating offers…
Pros And Cons Of Family-Based Treatment For Eating Disorders
Family-Based Treatment can be very beneficial in the treatment of eating disorders. Eating disorders affect people of all ages, devastatingly, including children and teens. When a parent or caretaker has an adolescent struggling with an eating disorder, they often feel overwhelmed deciding what course of action and treatment is best suited for their child and…
8 Goals Of Eating Disorder Treatment
Eating disorder treatment programs aim to address both the physical and psychological aspects of these complex conditions. The primary goal is to restore general health by normalizing eating habits and promoting a balanced relationship with food. Simultaneously, these programs also target any underlying mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem, that may…
What’s the Difference Between Anorexia and Bulimia?
Eating disorders are complex, serious mental health conditions that affect people of all genders, ages, and backgrounds. Despite this, myths and misunderstandings are still widespread. Two diagnoses most people recognize—anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa—are often confused with one another, sometimes even used interchangeably. While they share some overlapping features, they are not the same illness….
How to Overcome Food Texture Aversions: Understanding and Expanding Possibilities
Food texture aversions are often dismissed as quirks or labeled as “picky eating,” but for many adults they are a source of daily stress, limited nutrition, and social difficulty. The experience is not trivial. Struggling to tolerate certain textures can shape everything from the foods chosen in private to whether someone accepts an invitation to…
What Happens in a Day of Residential Eating Disorder Treatment?
Starting eating disorder treatment can feel overwhelming. Many people wonder what really happens in a treatment program, from meals to therapy to movement. That uncertainty can make taking the first step even harder. One of the most common questions we hear is, “What does a day in residential treatment actually look like?” At ‘Ai Pono,…