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Guides on eating disorders, recovery, and support

Written by Abir Ayesh, LMFT, for people questioning their relationship with food, for the people who love them, and for the clinicians who refer. Each guide stands on its own, says what it can and cannot answer, and ends with a next step.

11 guides · New guides are added as they are written. RSS feed

All guides

4 guides

Understanding eating disorders

  1. Understanding Eating DisordersWhat they are, what they can look like, and why they're not always easy to recognize10 min readUnderstanding eating disorders
  2. Understanding ARFID: When Eating Isn't So SimpleA practical introduction to Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder and the different reasons eating can feel difficult7 min readUnderstanding eating disorders
  3. Understanding the Binge-Restrict CycleWhy restriction can contribute to binge eating and why breaking the cycle takes more than willpower7 min readUnderstanding eating disorders
  4. When Healthy Habits Become Eating Disorder BehaviorsUnderstanding the difference between caring for your health and feeling controlled by food, exercise, and rigid routines3 min readUnderstanding eating disorders

2 guides

For families and partners

  1. Supporting a Loved One With an Eating DisorderHow to offer meaningful support without unintentionally reinforcing eating disorder behaviors22 min readFor families and partners
  2. Meal Support: Helpful and Unhelpful ResponsesA practical guide to supporting someone through meals without increasing shame, anxiety, or conflict11 min readFor families and partners

3 guides

Recovery

  1. Recognizing the Signs of Eating Disorder RelapseUnderstanding lapses, identifying warning signs, and knowing when additional support may be needed7 min readRecovery
  2. Why Regular Eating Matters (Even When You're Not Hungry)Understanding hunger cues, mechanical eating, and why consistent nourishment matters in eating disorder recovery3 min readRecovery
  3. What If I'm Not Ready to Recover?Understanding ambivalence, fear of change, and why wanting recovery can feel complicated4 min readRecovery

1 guide

Body image

  1. Body Neutrality vs. Body Positivity: Learning to Make Peace With Your BodyChallenging societal expectations and developing a more compassionate relationship with yourself6 min readBody image

1 guide

Treatment and levels of care

  1. Understanding Levels of Eating Disorder CareWhat outpatient, IOP, PHP, residential, and inpatient treatment mean, and how to know when more support may be needed5 min readTreatment and levels of care

How to read these

General education, written carefully.

This page is general education, not individualized clinical advice. Reading it does not create a therapeutic relationship. For guidance about your own situation, speak with a qualified clinician.

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Abir Ayesh, LMFT #164848