Special Topics NEDA Blog - National Eating Disorders Association

Shining a Light on Gender Identity and Eating Disorders

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate the successes and gifts of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities. As this month of celebration comes to a close it is the perfect time to reflect on the next steps if we want…

The Unexpected Expectation of Going to the Gym During Ramadan

BIPOC, Special Topics

Ramadan is like a Spiderman movie. I wait anxiously all year for its release. Once it arrives, it ends way too quickly. Afterwards, however, I am happy knowing that, inevitably, there will always be next year. If you’re not a Spiderman…

Challenging Disordered Norms in Running Culture

Athletes, Special Topics

I remember the magic of my first cross-country season back in 7th grade. I remember how running felt more like playing. How I literally laughed as I ran, because I was having so much fun. How races were adventures between me and my teammates. I…

Unlearning “Perfect” As a Woman of Color in a Racist World

BIPOC, Special Topics

Perfectionism is often a trait of many folks who are in recovery from eating disorders, including me. My childhood traumas left me feeling flawed, inherently bad, and not good enough for anyone. I believed that if I was a “good girl” and…

Finding Me: Discovering My Transgender Identity

LGBTQIA+, Special Topics

There have been many moments in my life when I have questioned if I am lovable. My belief about what being lovable looked like began when I was a toddler and realized I'd much rather play with the boys than be around the girls. As we aged together…

“I Felt Like I Had to Be Perfect in Every Way”

Recovery, Special Topics

Despite recent progress, many autistic people’s unique issues around mental health and eating disorders continue to be misunderstood or dismissed outright. As the number of people being identified and diagnosed with autism increases, it is…

Brazilian Illustrator Marcela Sabiá is Challenging the Stigma Surrounding Mental Health, Body Image & Disability

Activism, BIPOC, Body Image, Special Topics

Marcela Sabiá is a 26-year-old Brazilian illustrator who loves dogs, astrology, and creating art that makes the world a better place. She first started creating art professionally in 2015, and now, nearly three years later, she boasts an Instagram…

The Icing on the Cake: Autism and Picky Eating

Special Topics

I used to go to birthday parties just for the cake. No, really, I did. I always found the social aspects of birthday parties to be incredibly difficult. Too many people, who was I supposed to talk to, would the birthday girl or birthday boy…

How Can Eating Disorders Professionals Better Serve the Autistic Community?

Special Topics

Many Autistic people have openly shared their struggles with body image and eating disorders (take a look at our Autism Acceptance Month #NEDAchat recap for reference), but their unique issues around food still tend to be misunderstood or outright…

How Being Queer, Autistic, and Physically Disabled Shapes My Body Image

Body Image, LGBTQIA+, Special Topics

As a teenager, I’d often be in a group with other girls when the subject of our bodies would come up. My friends traded anecdotes on which aspects of their body they loved least, and what was wrong with them. Because I didn’t chime in, most…

Special Topics

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