17 Interviews With People Struggling With an Eating disorder

We have interviewed 17 people who have struggled with eating disorders of all types. These stories are full of inspiring tips on how to deal with these struggles. Please allow these stories to be a beacon of hope for you, and know that there is always a way out.

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How I Stopped Obsessively Controlling My Body and Accepted My Values Instead

How I Stopped Obsessively Controlling My Body and Accepted My Values Instead

October 15, 2024
Helped by: Self-acceptance, Self-improvement
My Journey of Overcoming Postpartum Depression and an Eating Disorder

My Journey of Overcoming Postpartum Depression and an Eating Disorder

September 10, 2024
Helped by: Social support, Therapy
I’m Finding Luck After Trauma and Abuse Through Mindfulness

I’m Finding Luck After Trauma and Abuse Through Mindfulness

May 14, 2024
Helped by: Meditation, Mindfulness, Reinventing yourself

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Are you struggling with an eating disorder?

I’ve interviewed 17 people struggling with eating disorders, and here are the top 5 most mentioned tips that helped these people overcome it:

  1. Therapy (8 people helped)
  2. Self-improvement (7 people helped)
  3. Social support (6 people helped)
  4. Reinventing yourself (4 people helped)
  5. Self-Care (4 people helped)

In our many years of publishing helpful mental health content, we always received questions from our readers about specific situations. While we have a lot of helpful tips to share on how to be happier, we simply can’t offer advice for every situation.

That’s why I’ve set out to interview folks with every type of mental health struggle. My job as an interviewer is to categorize these interviews and present them in a way that is most helpful to our readers.

Read all the case studies

Theresia Daniel Interview Featured Image

Case studies

How I Stopped Obsessively Controlling My Body and Accepted My Values Instead

“I became interested in health and wellness and started to learn about healthy foods, nervous system exercises, energy, etc. And the same pattern of control started again disguised as health and wellness. Because of the way I was treated growing up and as a young adult, I felt there was something deeply wrong with me- like I was not loveable as I was. I needed to control my body to feel like I was enough, to make myself loveable so that I could be happy.”

Struggled with:
Eating disorder
Negative body image

Helped by:
Self-acceptance
Self-improvement

Jennifer Silver Interview Featured Image

Case studies

My Journey of Overcoming Postpartum Depression and an Eating Disorder

“I was concerned about how my struggles might affect others’ perceptions of me and my competence as a mother and professional. This led me to mask my feelings and put on a brave face, even when I was feeling my lowest. Seeking help was a pivotal moment, but until then, I often felt like I had to navigate these challenges alone, despite the support and understanding that others might have been willing to offer.”

Struggled with:
Eating disorder
Postpartum depression

Helped by:

Therapy

Ella Shae Interview Featured Image

Case studies

My Journey From Hitting Rock Bottom to Overcoming Abuse, Addiction, and Eating Disorder

“Then something happened. On about day 3 or 4, the group spoke and I realized that their way of thinking around food, their rituals, and their tendencies, were all the same as the things I would do. It was wild because I thought I had made these things up myself and here I was with a room full of people who did the same things.”

Struggled with:
Abuse
Bullying
Depression
Divorce
Eating disorder
PTSD

Helped by:
Self-Care

Therapy
Treatment

Victoria Nielsen Featured Image

Case studies

Yoga Helped Me Overcome Anxiety, Binge Eating and Body Dysmorphia

“At my worst moments, post-college, I think I truly hated myself. Again, to the outside eye, I was high-functioning, but I was making really poor decisions. I was cheating on my boyfriend at the time, partying for all hours, and doing anything I could to escape my reality.”

Struggled with:
Anxiety
Eating disorder
Miscarriage
Negative body image

Helped by:
Journaling
Mindfulness
Self-Care
Self-improvement

Stephanie Gilbert Featured Image

Case studies

How I Recovered From Anorexia and OCD With a Specialized Therapist

“Finding a therapist that I felt believed in my recovery completely shifted things for me. Which is why I became a therapist too. I felt like I wasn’t alone, that there was someone who understood and didn’t judge me for what I was going through. And she believed in me at times more than I believed in myself.”

Struggled with:
Anxiety
Eating disorder
OCD

Helped by:

Therapy

Sarah Rollins Featured Image

Case studies

Residential Treatment Started My Healing Journey From Eating Disorders & Negative Body Image

“In my experience, I don’t think I could’ve recovered without residential treatment. Residential treatment is long-term (minimum 28 days) where you stay overnight at a facility and spend the day in individual and group therapy. In treatment, I was able to get out of my environment, focus solely on getting better, and not have to worry about school, friends, family, or work.”

Struggled with:
Eating disorder
Negative body image

Helped by:
Self-Care

Treatment

Cherie Miller Featured Image

Case studies

How I Recovered From Negative Body Image and Binge Eating With Therapy and Social Support

“Having an eating disorder is so much more than just wanting to be thin. Yes, I was obsessed with wanting to lose weight, but there were many, many other things underneath that. I desperately wanted to feel good about myself and loved by others. At times, my eating disorder gave me that sense of identity, accomplishment, and approval I wanted.”

Struggled with:
Depression
Eating disorder
Negative body image

Helped by:

Therapy