Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Symptoms, Triggers, and Treatment

Thrive • June 27, 2022

By Thrive Wellness Waco Coordinator of Eating Disorder Services and Therapist Sarah Neelley, M.A., LPC-Associate, 500 RYT

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs , about 60% of men and 50% of women in the U.S. experience at least one traumatic event in their lives, and about 6% of the population develops post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – a distressing and disruptive condition that can impede one’s ability to function and find fulfillment in life.

WHAT IS PTSD?

PTSD is a mental health condition that a person can develop after direct or indirect exposure to a traumatic event. Exposure can include: 

  • Directly experiencing the event
  • Witnessing the event
  • Learning that the event happened to a close family member or friend
  • Repeated or extreme exposure to details of the traumatic event

Anyone can develop PTSD, however, not everyone who experiences trauma develops the condition. Researchers are still unclear on why some individuals develop PTSD and others don’t despite experiencing similar traumatic events. 

TYPES OF TRAUMA THAT CAUSE PTSD

Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence are some of the most common types of trauma. Traumatic experiences can include numerous different events such as:

  • Physical, mental, and emotional abuse, including child abuse
  • Accidents such as car crashes, falls, and other injurious instances
  • Attempted or completed sexual violence
  • Being threatened with a weapon
  • Combat exposure
  • Witnessing serious violence
  • Learning a loved one has been killed violently or accidentally
  • Medical trauma, whether personal or experienced by a loved one
  • Natural disasters
  • Bullying and harassment

SYMPTOMS OF PTSD

PTSD involves four different categories of symptoms, which are: 

  • Intrusion
  • Avoidance
  • Negative changes in mood and cognition
  • Changes in arousal or reactivity 

To be diagnosed with PTSD, an individual must have symptoms in each of these categories that have lasted for more than one month since the traumatic event.

Types of intrusion symptoms include:

  • Dissociative reactions, which can involve flashbacks, feeling unaware of one’s present surroundings, feeling outside of one’s body, and “zoning out”
  • Intense or prolonged distress when exposed to either internal or external cues that resemble or are associated with the traumatic event 
  • Marked physiological reactions to internal or external cues that resemble or are associated with the trauma
    • Responses may include: 
      • Racing heart
      • Sweating
      • Difficulty breathing
      • Nausea
      • Vomiting
      • Feeling shaky
  • Recurring unwanted and troubling memories of the traumatic events which may manifest as intrusive thoughts that seem random or are triggered by a reminder of the traumatic event
  • Recurrent distressing dreams, which can be experienced as nightmares in which the content is directly related to the trauma

Types of avoidance symptoms include:

  • Avoiding distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings related to the event
  • Avoiding external reminders that arouse unsettling memories, thoughts, or feelings related to the event

Types of negative changes in mood and cognition include:

  • Feeling misunderstood, detached, or estranged from others (An individual may spend a lot of time around people who love them, yet feel incredibly isolated and alone. Often they may feel as if they can’t talk about what they’re going through or as if no one would understand.)
  • Inability to remember important details of the traumatic event
  • Notably diminished interest or participation in significant activities
  • Persistent, distorted thoughts about the event often leading an individual to blame themselves or others, such as, “If only I had done…” or “I could have stopped it if…”
  • Incessant inability to experience positive emotions
  • Ongoing negative beliefs about oneself, others, or the world, such as, “I am bad,” “Bad things always happen,” The world isn’t safe,” or “People can’t be trusted.”
  • Persistent negative emotional state

Types of alterations in arousal and reactivity include:

  • Anger outbursts, which are often verbally or physically aggressive
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Exaggerated startle response
  • Hypervigilance, which involves feeling “on guard” or overly aware of one’s surroundings  (A person may seem “jumpy” or easily startled when approached. Their concern may be heightened about various noises or environments that cause them to feel unsafe. An example of hypervigilance includes a person wanting to sit where they can see the door or everyone in the room so they know what’s happening around them.)
  • Irritable behavior
  • Reckless or self-destructive behavior
  • Sleep disturbance , such as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

WHAT TRIGGERS PTSD SYMPTOMS?

Certain sensory information can remind a person with PTSD of the traumatic event and cause them to react with one of the body’s instinctive survival modes – a “fight,” “flight,” “freeze,” or “fawn” (abandoning one’s needs to please others and avoid backlash) response, while also cuing their PTSD symptoms. Triggers are unique to every individual with PTSD, as are the traumatic events which led to the PTSD. They may include but are not limited to smells, tastes, sounds, sights, physical sensations, thoughts, emotions, and interactions. 

Examples of possible triggers include:

  • A feeling inside the body that resembles one experienced during or after the trauma
  • A wanted or an unwanted touch from another human as any touch may remind them of the trauma
  • An interpersonal interaction that enacts a similar feeling, thought, encounter, etc. to one experienced during the trauma
  • References and exposure to another individual involved in the trauma
  • Returning to or talking about the place where the event occurred
  • Seeing an environment or aspect of an environment which resembles the one similar to where the trauma occurred or where they learned of the event 
  • Seeing someone that resembles an individual from their trauma
  • Seeing the clothes one was wearing when the event occurred

PTSD IN CHILDREN

PTSD in children can look very different than it does in adults. Younger children may lack the vocabulary or cognitive ability to verbalize their experience and therefore may act out themes or aspects of the traumatic event as well as directly reenact the trauma in play. This behavior is usually linked to an intrusive symptom. Children may also have recurrent nightmares but be unable to recall or express the exact content of the dreams which may be connected to the trauma.

ELEMENTS OF TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE

Trauma treatment may implement a variety of modalities, such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and sensorimotor psychotherapy . However, trauma-informed care should involve the following elements: 

  • A careful, compassionate approach: Clinicians who implement trauma-informed care consider the client’s experience as a priority at all times during their treatment. Mental health professionals generally understand that everyone experiences and responds to trauma differently as shown by the wide array of events that can lead to the development of PTSD and unique triggers for each individual. Providers who are committed to offering trauma-informed care will actively avoid re-traumatization and work to integrate the knowledge of trauma into all processes, procedures, and policies.
  • Client education and empowerment: Trauma-informed care involves ensuring the client is well-aware of what treatment options are available to them and empowering them to seek out the care they need, which includes speaking up when something isn’t working for them. 
  • A trusting therapeutic relationship: Those receiving treatment for trauma should expect their clinician to take time to build a trusting relationship before engaging in deeper therapeutic work. Most providers will assess the whole picture of a client’s life, current functioning, and past experiences while recognizing signs and symptoms of trauma. 
  • Clinician flexibility: The humility and responsiveness of mental health professionals are also important aspects of trauma-informed care. As with many forms of therapy, trauma-informed care honors clients as the experts in their own lives and experiences. Providers should be willing to acknowledge their own mistakes and make any necessary adjustments in an individual’s treatment to achieve the best possible outcomes for the client. In trauma-informed care, clinicians transparently involve their clients in decisions regarding their care to empower the client with a sense of ownership over their recovery.

PTSD TREATMENT MODALITIES

While treatment for PTSD varies from one individual to another, it may include therapy, medication, primary care, and any other health care services that may be warranted based upon the individual’s unique needs. Ideally, all providers working to treat an individual for PTSD are connected and in communication with one another as integrated care can help to ensure holistic healing.

There are several evidence-based modalities that are well known as being effective for  treating PTSD in therapy. Some methods take a narrative approach in which an individual works with their therapist to process each aspect of the event. Clients may even write their trauma narrative to discuss in session. 

Other approaches address more of the somatic, or bodily, experience. These interventions embrace the idea that trauma can become trapped in the body. Somatic therapies don’t typically require an individual to relive their trauma experience by sharing a detailed narrative. Instead, they address the internal experience, associated symptoms, and impacts of the event. 

Types of PTSD treatment modalities include:

  • Cognitive processing therapy: A type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that encourages individuals to challenge any problematic ideas related to trauma
  • Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) :  Guides individuals in implementing skills that help them regulate their emotions and live a meaningful life
  • Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) : Uses bilateral eye movements to help change how traumatic memories are stored so that they no longer cause distress
  • Prolonged exposure therapy: Encourages individuals to gradually face their trauma-related fears as a way of desensitizing them to their triggers
  • Sensorimotor psychotherapy : Helps clients release stored traumatic bodily energy
  • Somatic experiencing: Integrates the body into processing the traumatic event
  • Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT): Another form of CBT intended to treat children struggling with trauma and adults with unresolved trauma from their childhood

Every approach to treating PTSD will likely involve:

  • Addressing the client’s unique experience and PTSD symptoms
  • Psychoeducation to help the client better understand their PTSD
  • Implementing skills that help reduce the client’s symptoms such as distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness 
  • Some form of therapeutic processing that helps integrate the traumatic experience and foster a sense of acceptance

RECOVERING FROM PTSD

Just as with any other mental or behavioral condition, recovery from PTSD looks different for everyone. Some individuals may live with remnants of their PTSD for long periods, experiencing complete relief from many symptoms while other symptoms dull over time. They may also have ebbs and flows in their symptoms which can be frustrating at times. 

With that in mind, recovery from PTSD is entirely possible and with the right support, individuals can learn to process their traumatic experiences, manage their symptoms, and begin to move forward in their lives while acknowledging the impact of the past. 

SUPPORTING A LOVED ONE WITH PTSD

If you’re a family member or friend of a loved one with PTSD, below are some ways you can help them as they heal:

  • Be willing to listen to your loved one
  • Ask your friend or family member how you can best support them
  • Find out if they are willing to share some of their triggers with you and if so, what you can do to offer support when they encounter a trigger
  • Learn what things help your loved one feel safe and ways you can increase their sense of security
  • Offer a loving, calm, and caring presence when you can
  • Do your best to show up when they need help
  • Take care of your mental health
  • Remind them of the meaning and value they add to your life and why you care about their recovery
  • Encourage them to seek professional help 

HEALING FOR PTSD AT THRIVE WELLNESS

Many of our clinicians are experienced in treating PTSD through a variety of evidence-based methods. If you think you may be struggling with PTSD, Thrive Wellness specialists want to help you process your trauma, find the healing that you deserve, and lead a fulfilling life. Reach out to learn more about our outpatient services

About the Author 

Thrive Wellness Waco Coordinator of Eating Disorder Services and Therapist Sarah Neelley, M.A., LPC-Associate, 500 RYT

Sarah is passionate about providing holistic care to survivors of interpersonal trauma, as well as individuals struggling with eating and body image concerns.

A registered yoga instructor, she enjoys integrating her counselor education and yoga training to holistically approach mental health treatment. She is skilled at facilitating trauma-informed yoga therapeutic groups for survivors of interpersonal trauma.

As a counseling intern at Baylor University’s Counseling Center, Sarah has provided mental health support to clients facing crisis situations, trauma, anxiety, depression, OCD, substance use, and anger concerns.

Sarah holds a master of arts degree in clinical mental health counseling from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. She also holds a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Baylor University.

In her free time, Sarah loves reading, spending time with friends and family, taking long walks outdoors, enjoying a good cup of coffee, and doing puzzles. She recently developed an interest in keeping plants alive. Wish her (and her plants) all the luck!

Supervised by Erin McGinty Fort, LPC-Supervisor (76628) | Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors

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By Brianna Villalpando, LMSW, LCSW March 19, 2025
Teen eating disorders are serious. As a parent or caregiver, one of the most difficult situations you can face is noticing that your teen may be struggling with a basic human need like eating. Adolescence is already a rough period for many teens filled with fluctuating emotions, changing bodies, and social pressures. However, sometimes coping with these challenges can manifest in unhealthy ways, like developing complicated relationships with food, body image, control, or exercise. Many teens face body image issues as their bodies mature, excessive pressure to meet unrealistic expectations fueled by social media and peers, and emotional instability and anxiety during their adolescent years, all of which can combine to create the perfect storm for an eating disorder. These challenges can often make your teen more vulnerable to unhealthy coping mechanisms , such as restricting food intake, excessive exercise, or engaging in disordered eating behaviors . If you’ve started noticing signs that something may not be right, it’s essential to take action to help your teen get the support they need. Recognizing the Signs of an Eating Disorder Eating disorders can vary in appearance, but there are some common signs and symptoms to watch for. If you notice any of the following behaviors or changes in your teen, it may indicate a problem that requires further attention: Preoccupation with body image : Teens with eating disorders often show increased focus on their weight or appearance, frequently expressing dissatisfaction with their body. Excessive discussions about dieting : If your teen frequently talks about dieting, food restriction, “getting skinny,” or often makes weight-related comments, this could be a red flag. Obsession with calorie counts : Teens who are obsessed with tracking every calorie, comparing the caloric content of foods, or controlling their calorie-intake may be struggling with an eating disorder. Skipping meals : Frequently skipping meals or not eating regularly is a common sign that something is wrong. Eating in isolation : Eating alone or avoiding family meals may signal discomfort with eating or shame around food. Excessive exercising : Over-exercising or using exercise as a way to purge calories can also point to an eating disorder. Spending long amounts of time in the bathroom : This could be a sign of emerging or purging behaviors, such as vomiting after meals. Hoarding foods : Hiding food or being secretive about eating may indicate issues with food control and secrecy around eating habits. Irregular periods or thinning hair : In females, a disruption in menstrual cycles or thinning hair can be physical signs of the effects of an eating disorder on the body. How Can I Talk to My Teen About Eating Disorders in a Supportive Way? Approaching a conversation about eating disorders with your child requires sensitivity and care. It's important to emphasize empathy and understanding, conveying that your primary concern is your teen's health and well-being. Initiating this conversation compassionately can create an environment of trust and openness to explore the problem. Selecting a calm, comfortable, and private setting is vital so your teen feels safe discussing a sensitive topic that may cause them to feel anxiety or shame. Effective communication hinges on using open-ended questions and active listening. Encourage your teen to share their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. By actively listening, you validate their experience, making them feel heard and understood. Before diving into the conversation, educating yourself about eating disorders can provide a solid foundation for discussing the issue knowledgeably. Some quick preparation with research allows you to dispel myths and provide accurate information when you talk to your teen. Why It's Crucial to Seek Medical Help When you notice warning signs, it’s important not to wait to get help. Eating disorders can be life-threatening, both physically and emotionally. They take a serious toll on a teen’s health, affecting their metabolism, hormonal function, and overall well-being. Beyond the physical impact, eating disorders can often involve deeply ingrained psychological and emotional challenges, such as low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and trauma. After an initial conversation, the first step is to schedule an appointment with a medical provider. Your teen’s primary care doctor or a pediatrician can help evaluate their physical health and provide guidance for next steps. Be prepared to discuss the specific behaviors or signs you’ve observed, as this will help your provider better understand the situation. The doctor may conduct a physical examination, lab tests, and discuss your teen's emotional and psychological state. Building a Support Team Once you’ve taken the first step to ensure your teen’s immediate medical needs are addressed, it’s time to build a multidisciplinary treatment team . This may include: Therapists : A licensed, specially trained therapist who specializes in eating disorders or adolescent mental health can help your teen address the emotional and psychological root causes of their disorder. Medical doctors : Your teen’s doctor can monitor their physical health during the recovery process, ensuring they are safe while navigating the challenges of nourishing their body. Nutritionists or dietitians : A professional who specializes in eating disorders can create a nutrition plan tailored to your teen’s specific needs and help them rebuild a healthy relationship with food. Psychiatrists : In some cases, medication may be prescribed to address underlying mental health issues contributing to their behavior. Act Quickly and Seek Professional Guidance It’s crucial to act as soon as you recognize signs of an eating disorder in your teen. The longer eating disorders go untreated, the harder they can be to overcome. Recovery from an eating disorder is a complex journey, involving both physical and mental obstacles to tackle. It can be incredibly difficult for both the teen and the family to manage this process at home without professional support. A well coordinated team of medical providers, therapists, and eating disorder specialists is essential in guiding your teen through their recovery. This team can help monitor your teen’s progress, provide emotional support, and ensure that your teen is getting the care they need for both short and long-term recovery. Supporting Your Teen on Their Recovery Journey Eating disorders are serious, but with the right care and support, recovery is possible. If you suspect that your teen may have an eating disorder, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Seek medical advice first, and build a support team of professionals who can work together to provide comprehensive care. Eating disorders are complex, and it’s not something you or your teen should have to face alone. Taking swift action and offering compassionate support will help your teen regain control of their health and their life so that they can thrive through their adolescence and beyond. At Thrive, we offer specialized treatment for anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Our adolescent intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs have not only changed lives, but saved them. If you believe your teen is struggling, don't hesitate to reach out for help, we are ready to conduct a complimentary intake assessment today. To learn more about eating disorders, download our free guide "Recovery is Real" filled with practical insights and strategies to help a loved one navigate the journey toward recovery.
By Brianna Villalpando March 12, 2025
It can be difficult to know when it's time to reach out for help. We often try to manage stress, anxiety, sadness, or relationship issues on our own, thinking it’s just a phase or something we can work through to “get over.” But sometimes, these feelings or behaviors persist and can start affecting our overall mental and emotional well-being. The truth is, seeking therapy shouldn't be a last resort. Therapy is a valuable tool for anyone looking to better understand themselves, improve their emotional health, and work through life’s challenges. If you’ve been wondering whether it’s time to seek therapy, there are a few key factors to consider when performing a self-evaluation. Here are five signs that it might be time to reach out for additional support: 1. Is My Mood Affecting My Life or Relationships? One of the most telling signs that you may need support is noticing that your mood is negatively impacting your daily life or interpersonal relationships. Have you noticed an increase in conflict with friends, family, or colleagues? Are you feeling stuck in patterns of negativity that seem hard to shake? If your mood is affecting how you function at work, school, or in your personal life, it may be time to talk to a therapist. Pay attention to your behaviors; are you withdrawing from activities you usually enjoy? Are you reacting more intensely to situations than usual? If your emotional state is beginning to impact your relationships, interactions, or your ability to move through everyday life, a therapist can help you explore underlying causes and develop tools to improve your social wellness. 2. Am I Isolating Myself to Avoid Conflict? There’s a big difference between being introverted and isolating yourself as a way to avoid conflict. If you find yourself consistently pulling away from social situations, not because you need time to recharge, but because you’re avoiding uncomfortable conversations or emotional confrontations, this could be a sign of a deeper issue. It’s natural to want to avoid tension or discomfort, but consistent isolation can worsen feelings of loneliness and make it even harder to work through conflicts. Therapy can help you learn healthy coping mechanisms, problem-solving and communication skills, so you can feel more comfortable facing conflict in a productive way rather than shutting down or avoiding it at the cost of self-isolation. 3. Are My Emotions Out of Control? Do you ever feel like your emotions are so overwhelming that you can't regain control? If you're finding it difficult to calm yourself down, quiet your thoughts, or manage your feelings, this might be a sign that therapy could be helpful. Emotions like anger, disgust, fear, anxiety, or sadness are natural, but if they start taking over your thoughts and actions, it can be exhausting and difficult to complete daily tasks. A therapist can help you understand why your emotions are so intense and teach you strategies to regulate them and regain a sense of balance. 4. Have I Experienced Trauma That’s Affecting My Daily Life? Trauma comes in many forms, it could be from a single incident or from ongoing experiences that have affected your sense of safety, connection, or well-being. Sometimes, trauma is tied to experiences in childhood, but it can also be linked to recent events, like accidents, loss, or abuse. If you've experienced trauma and are struggling to perform basic daily tasks or meet your needs, therapy can be incredibly beneficial. Unresolved trauma can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, or being stuck in past experiences. A trauma-informed therapist can help you process these experiences, understand their impact on your life, and work toward healing and recovery. 5. Am I Hurting Myself or Others? If your mood or behaviors are causing you to hurt yourself or others, it’s crucial to seek help immediately. Whether it’s through emotional or physical self-harm , or unintentionally inflicting harm on the people around you, this is a serious sign to find support from mental health professionals. A therapist can provide a safe, nonjudgmental space to talk about what you’re going through and help you work toward healthier ways of coping. If you’re in immediate danger or experiencing thoughts of self harm, it’s essential to reach out for help as soon as possible. There’s no shame in seeking support when you're struggling with harmful thoughts or actions. Why is Professional Mental Health Support Necessary? Although there may be barriers to seeking therapy, reaching out for professional mental health support is worth it to address the emotional and psychological issues that you shouldn’t have to deal with alone. Therapists have the knowledge and tools needed to guide you through your struggles, offering insights and solutions that aren’t available outside of the therapeutic setting. Their expertise promises not only a deeper understanding of your challenges, but the application of practical methods and skills to resolve them in your everyday life. Additionally, trained mental health professionals offer personalized strategies and coping mechanisms tailored to your unique situation and needs. These strategies are informed by evidence-based practices and a therapist’s experience working with and healing emotional and mental struggles. Personalized therapy helps clients receive the most relevant and effective guidance for their personal challenges. Embracing the Journey Toward Mental Wellness Recognizing that you might need support is the first step toward feeling better and getting the most out of life. Therapy isn’t just for when things are at their worst; it’s a proactive way to improve your emotional health, work through challenges, and build skills for resilience. If you relate to any of these situations, it might be time to reach out and explore therapy as an option. It’s okay to need help, and you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. If you’re unsure whether therapy is right for you, consider talking to a mental health professional to discuss your concerns and explore specialized support options available to you. You deserve to feel your best, and therapy can be a stepping stone to help you reach your goals. Are you in need of support? At Thrive Wellness, we offer personalized therapy and treatment to support you in whatever you're going through, don't be afraid to reach out for help . We also offer a FREE comprehensive guide to wellness in our “How to Thrive” guide . This guide offers practical, easy-to-follow habits that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Start your journey towards a balanced and fulfilling life today with these simple yet transformative steps.
By Sage Tippie February 14, 2025
This Eating Disorders Awareness Month, we’re focusing on fighting the misinformation and stereotypes surrounding eating disorders that so often create barriers to diagnosis and treatment. Myths about eating disorders can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and keep people from receiving effective and timely treatment when they need it. It’s no secret that the field of eating disorders is riddled with misinformation, leading to confusion, stigma, and shame for those struggling. In this blog post, we'll explore the common myths about eating disorders and fight them with concrete facts in the hopes of building a more informed and educated community when it comes to these serious mental health conditions. Eating Disorder Myths Versus Facts Myth: Only those who are medically underweight have an eating disorder. Fact: Someone can have an eating disorder at any weight. In fact, less than 6% of those diagnosed with an eating disorder are medically underweight. There is even a specific diagnosis for those who are not underweight showing the symptoms of anorexia called atypical anorexia. People of all sizes are at risk for serious complications from an eating disorder, not just those that are underweight. Myth: Only women have eating disorders Fact: Although often associated with teen girls, eating disorders can affect those of any gender and age. While stereotypes and stigma surrounding eating disorders may tell us that men are not commonly affected by them, research has found that nearly 25% of those who present for eating disorder treatment are male. Keeping an open mind around who can be affected by eating disorders allows for more accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment for those who need it. Myth: Eating disorders are just about food. Facts: While eating disorders always involve an unhealthy relationship with food or body image, they also are rooted in biological, psychological and sociocultural aspects. Eating disorders cannot be treated just by changing eating behaviors, but by addressing the mental aspect of the illness as well. This is why integrated treatment involving a team of social workers, primary care specialists, therapists, and in some cases occupational therapists or psychiatrists is so crucial: a holistic approach is needed to treat all aspects of an eating disorder. Myth: Eating disorders aren’t that serious. Fact: Eating disorders are extremely serious and life-threatening mental disorders that require dedicated treatment. In fact, anorexia nervosa has the second highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. By taking eating disorders and their diagnosis and treatment seriously, we can save lives. Myth: Eating disorders are a choice. Fact: Just like any other illness, eating disorders are not a choice or a phase, nor is recovery from an eating disorder just a simple decision to start eating more or less. Recovery is not dependent on willpower, but on ongoing professional treatment and long-term support. The recovery process can be lengthy and challenging, requiring patience and a supportive environment and team on your side. It is a gradual, step-by-step journey, rather than an instantaneous decision made on one person’s part. Myth: Eating disorders always involve negative body image. Fact: Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) does not have to do with body image. Those with ARFID may avoid many foods because of texture, taste, color, or smell, or feared outcomes of eating like choking or vomiting. Like any other eating disorder, ARFID is serious and requires specialized treatment like exposure-response prevention therapy. Myth: Eating disorders only affect White people. Fact: Although Black, Latina/o/x/e, Indigenous/Native, and Asian people are historically underrepresented in studies of eating disorders, large-scale studies have found that rates of eating disorders are the same or higher in all racial and ethnic groups as compared to white individuals (NEDA). Removing racial stereotypes around eating disorders can help to remove barriers that BIPOC individuals commonly face when seeking treatment. Dispelling the Myths: A Path Towards Understanding By addressing and dispelling these myths, we can create a safe space that promotes understanding and empathy. Eating disorders are not choices or phases, but debilitating mental health issues that can affect anyone. Recognizing the seriousness of these disorders is so important in reducing stigma and ensuring that those who are struggling receive the care and support they require. This month and every month, we encourage you to fight misinformation and stick up for those experiencing eating disorders, because knowledge and education can be one of the greatest assets to recovery for those who need it. If you or someone you know is in need of eating disorder support, don’t be afraid to reach out , our team of healthcare professionals are here for you. To learn more about eating disorders and the journey to recovery, download our free eating disorders guide .
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