National Eating Disorder Association

If you find yourself in this blog because you are one of many families supporting a family member with an eating disorder, one of the most comprehensive resources that I have found that may be of help to you is the website of the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) -  http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org.   The message from their CEO, Lynn Grefe, states 

“NEDA is here to support the millions of families whose loved ones are battling eating disorders.  How do we do it? By offering the latest information, resources, action-oriented advocacy and media campaigns to educate the public and policymakers and, most importantly, a sense of community to people often feeling alone and overwhelmed in their struggle to access quality, affordable care.”

And I must say that their website reflects this.   NEDA’s web categories include information & resources, how to get involved, stories of hope, current research, etc..  They have also created an 80 page Parent Toolkit which includes items such as: common myth of eating disorders, treatments available for eating disorders, sample letters to deal with insurance companies, etc..  The link to the Parent Toolkit is http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/uploads/file/toolkits/NEDA-Toolkit-Parents_03-10-09.pdf.   There is so much information here that it may serve as a useful reference guide as well as an educational tool.

If you are struggling with eating disorders in your family, my heart is with you.  May the stories of hope in NEDA’s website help support you.