The Complete List of Eating Disorder Resources

Eating disorders are one of the worst mental and physical problems facing individuals around the world today. According to research conducted by the South Carolina Department of Mental Health , approximately 8 million Americans currently suffer from some form of an eating disorder. The National Eating Disorder Association estimates an even higher number of 10 million. Further, anorexia nervosa has the highest death rate of any mental illness, including highly severe depression.

We've compiled an extensive list of what we feel are the most useful and educational sites on eating disorders currently on the Web. Some of these sites are purely informational, others have forums where individuals can talk to people going through a similar experience, and others provide directories for treatment centers. We've also included a section listing compelling statistics that will provide you with background information on eating disorders.

Whether you are currently struggling with an eating disorder yourself or you know somebody who is, the first step to recovery is recognizing the problem.

Statistics

These statistics were gathered by the South Carolina Department of Mental Health unless otherwise marked.

Anorexia and Bulimia:

•  One out of 200 American women suffer from anorexia.
•  Three out of 100 American women suffer from bulimia.
•  An estimated 10-15% of people that are anorexic or bulimic are males.
•  5-10% of anorexics will die within at least ten years of developing the disorder.
•  18-20% of anorexics will be dead within 20 years of contracting the disorder.
•  With treatment, the mortality rate of anorexics falls to 2-3% .
•  Only 10% of individuals suffering from an eating disorder receive treatment.
•  80% of the girls who do receive treatment do not stay in the program long enough to recover.
•  The average cost of inpatient treatment is $30,000 per month . Most girls need to stay in the program for 3-6 months to recover.

Eating Disorder Statistics for Youth

•  50% of girls between the ages of 11 to 13 see themselves as overweight.
•  A whopping 80% of 13-year-old girls have attempted to lose weight.
•  According to Gurze Books, 1.1% to 4.2% of girls will suffer from bulimia nervosa in their lifetime.
•  Up to 19% of college aged women in America are bulimic (Gurze Books).

Obesity

•  61% of American adults are considered by doctors to be either overweight or obese.
•  One out of every five American adults is classified as obese (which clinically means they have a BMI of 30 or greater)

Body Image and Dieting

•  80% of American women are dissatisfied with their appearance (Smolak).
•  At any given time, about 55% of the adult population in America is dieting.
•  In the mid-90s, 91% of the women surveyed on a college campus said they had attempted to control their weight through dieting.
•  A staggering percentage of 35 % of dieters progress to pathological dieting. Of those individuals, 20-25% develop eating disorders.

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Eating Disorder Informational Websites

Academy for Eating Disorders : The Academy for Eating Disorders aims to provide comprehensive information on the facts of eating disorders, treatment plans, and education to prevent others from developing eating disorders. The site also has links to other sites and advertisements for organized conferences.

Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness : Alliance of Eating Disorders Awareness is a fantastic site for anybody suffering from or worried about an individual with an eating disorder. The site has information on eating disorders (including types, causes, and signs), information on getting help, resources, and a special section for males suffering from eating disorders.

Andrea's Voice : Andrea's Voice is dedicated to the prevention, identification, diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders. They do this through expanding public awareness of eating disorders through education. The site has a section for poetry, a blog, media, presentations, and ways you can help.

Aphrodite Wounded: Aphrodite Wounded is a site focusing on providing help and support for women who have suffered traumatic experiences, such as rape and domestic abuse. It also has a great section with links and information on eating disorders.

Bulimia.com : Bulimia.com advertises books, DVDs, and videos on eating disorders. It also has a blog, information for men and parents, recent news, and a treatment center directory.

Dr. Susie : Dr. Susie is a clinical psychologist who hosts a website that provides tools and resources to help her patients deal with their eating disorders. On her site she has information on eating disorders, resources, current news and studies, and letters, poems, and journals written by former patients.

Eating Disorders Coalition : Eating Disorders Coalition's goal is to "advance the federal recognition of eating disorders as a public health priority." The nonprofit organization lists the federal policy on its website, congressional briefings, events, information/resources on eating disorders, and a blog that is routinely updated.

Healthy Weight Network : Healthy Weight Network has a plethora of recent news, weight loss truths and falsehoods, tips for healthy living, problems facing schools with healthy eating options, and information on problems children may face with food.

HelpGuide.org : This nonprofit resource has information on understanding eating disorders, types of eating disorders, warning signs of eating disorders, how to help a person suffering from an eating disorder, various treatments available for those with eating disorders, and how to support your loved one's recovery.

Katrini Foundation : The Katrini Foundation has three goals laid out on their website. "(1) To help fund medical treatment for adolescents and children who suffer from eating disorders and who otherwise would not be able to obtain appropriate medical treatment, due to economic circumstance. (2) To help fund genetic and brain research to find the underlying causes of eating disorders. (3) To help publish the results of research about the causes of eating disorders, and their treatments."

Kristen Watt Foundation : The Kristen Watt Foundation provides support for those suffering with eating disorders. The site has sections for parents, friends, and even coaches. Beyond this, the site has a fairly extensive section on eating disorders, providing information on causes, statistics, symptoms, and much more.

Lexusine : With a very interesting layout, Lexusine is different from most other eating disorder websites. You can visit pages on the patients and visitors which have personal accounts and narratives from eating disorder victims. You can also learn about various disorders, recovery techniques, and resources. The site also has links.

Maudsley Parents : Maudsley Parents is a site specifically for parents who have children suffering from eating disorders. The site has an 'Ask the Expert' section, a FAQ, common misconceptions, book reviews, a directory of treatment centers, and even a place where you can get information in Spanish.

MentalHelp.com : MentalHelp.com has a great section on eating disorders. Its resources section includes causes, statistics, latest news, videos, and questions and answers.

Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association : MEDA is a nonprofit organization that works to prevent and treat eating disorders. Their aim is to do this through early detection and increased public awareness. This site has events listed, resources, and a place for individuals to join the organization.

National Eating Disorders : National Eating Disorders has education, resources, and support for those that are suffering or affected by eating disorders. NEDA sponsors events, programs, and research on eating disorders, and contains a hefty section on its site featuring recent news articles and information.

National Eating Disorder Information Centre : NEDIC has information for parents and friends of those suffering from eating disorder. The site has a toll free helpline, as well as a conversation guide and a resource library.

National Eating Disorders Screening Program : NEDSP focuses on anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. The program hopes to raise public awareness of eating disorders through education. NEDSP works with colleges, the military, youth programs, work places, and government agencies.

National Institute of Mental Health : National Institute of Mental Health has information on anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, the affect eating disorders can have on men, treatment options, and helpful resources and links.

National Mental Health Information Center: National Mental Health Information Center has an entire section on eating disorders. It covers what they are, who is likely to have one, symptoms, medical problems that arise with eating disorders,

Something Fishy : Something Fishy is dedicated to raising public awareness about eating disorders. They stress that eating disorders are not about food or weight, but instead other, often psychological issues. The site has a section where people can submit names of friends who have died from eating disorders, common signs of an eating disorder, treatment centers, prevent and causes, online support, and other resources.

Teens Health : Teens Health has a great section on eating disorders. It has descriptions of eating disorders, a section for kids, teens, and parents, and articles on body image, binge eating, anemia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and diets.

Womenshealth.gov : The National Women's Health Information Center is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The site has information on body image, cosmetic surgery, eating disorders, and a list of links to various informational websites.

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Eating Disorder Forums and Communities

About.com Eating Disorder Forum : About.com sponsors a forum on eating disorders. You can meet the moderators, discuss good treatment sources, and how you can help somebody.

Binge Eating Forum : This forum was established for anybody who has problems with binge eating, emotional eating, and overeating. Individuals can go here for advice, comfort, or just to talk to some people who have gone through the same struggle.

Christian Eating Disorder Forum : Suffering from an eating disorder and want some Christian guidance? The Christian Eating Disorder Forum offers a place for Christians to tackle their eating disorder from a Christian point of view.

Eating Disorders Forum : Eating Disorders Forums has broad sections for General Chat, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Compulsive Overeating, and an off topic section. Each of these sections has a variety of subsections. The site is closely monitored and has frequent posts.

Eating Disorder Talk : Eating Disorder Talk functions more like a community than a forum. Individuals can have profile pages, view other members, and talk in the forums. This might be a great way for people to connect with other people also struggling with some sort of eating disorder.

eHealth Forum : eHealth Forum has a community in which you can post questions and both your peers and featured experts (all with doctorates) can reply. The message board is frequently updated and monitored.

MedHelp : MedHelp has an Eating Disorders Community where individuals can post their thoughts and questions and get prompt feedback from others suffering from similar problems.

Obesity Thunder Bay, Promoting Integrity, Dignity and Hope : This community has a forum, videos, events, blogs, notes, and even online chatting. It has over 17 million devoted followers and can be a great place for support.

Psych Forums : Psych Forums has a forum on binge eating. Topics include "Help!! My story…anyone feel the same?" and "How Binge Eating has taken over my help," as well as a variety of other topics. This forum is very populated and is a great place to connect with others.

SFWED Remember It Hurts Community : A community sponsored by Something Fishy that has a place for individuals to express their feelings on eating disorders, talk to others experiencing the same thing, and ask questions. You must register to use this forum.

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Forums and Communities for Family and Friends of Eating Disorder Victims

About.com Eating Disorder Forum for Families : About.com's eating disorder forum has a section entitled "How Can I Help Someone?" specifically designed for those who know somebody who has an eating disorder.

SFWED Family and Friends – Support Finder : Do you know somebody suffering from an eating disorder? This is a place for you to discuss with others how to deal with a friend or family member who has an eating disorder. Ask questions. Get advice. Find treatment centers.

Sites That Provide Further Help for Eating Disorder Victims

Beating Eating Disorders : Beating Eating Disorders is a UK charity that helps individuals and their families overcome eating disorders. The site has fundraising opportunities you can get involved in, publications, events, professional resources, press and media information, and help and support.

Eating Disorder.com : Eating-Disorder.com has treatment centers around the United States, including locations in California, North Carolina, Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona. The site also has a blog and an extensive list of resources and information available.

Eating Disorders Anonymous : With no fee required, EDA offers membership to any person who needs help recovering from an eating disorder. The site has meetings around the United States, publications, recovery information, EDA news, and helpful links to other sites.

Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center : This site allows you to search for treatment centers in your area, read recently published articles on anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders, and seek out professionals (including therapists, doctors, and specialists).

Eating Disorder Referral : At Eating Disorder Referral you can search for a treatment center by state. Each state has at least five treatment centers listed.

F.E.A.S.T. : F.E.A.S.T., or Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders, is an international organization that provides support to families and friends of those suffering from eating disorders. The site advertises events and conferences, groups around the world, treatment providers, online caregivers, and recent news.

Jessie's Wish : Jessie's Wish is a fantastic organization that provides education on eating disorders, as well as financial assistance to those families that have a member who is suffering from an eating disorder but do not have adequate health insurance to seek medical attention.

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Eating Disorders : ANAD has a fantastic help section on its website that provides links and numbers to support groups, therapists, and treatment programs. It also has a way for people to volunteer, become a partner or member of the organization. ANAD also has a helpline that is open for further questions, direction, or resources.

National Center for Overcoming Overeating : The National Center for Overcoming Overeating was first established in 1995 to combat compulsive eating problems, body hatred, and unhealthy and ineffective dieting. The site now has information on various campaigns the organization is working on, workshops, online support groups, CD's and videos, and frequently asked questions.

Open Directory : Open Directories has a great link to various eating disorder centers. Browse through their list and check out what options are out there.

Psych Central : Psych Central has a fantastic list of the top eating disorder support groups. Some groups are online and many groups meet in person.

The Dressing Room Project : The Dressing Room Project is a nonprofit organization that sponsors a workshop on improving teen girls' self images of themselves. The organization tours nationally and has been deemed a great success by many attendees.

The Elisa Project : The Elisa Project is dedicated to the "prevention and effective treatment of eating disorders through support, awareness, education, and advocacy." The site offers information about eating disorders, professional help, and community gatherings.

The Women's Center for Healthy Living : The Women's Center for Healthy Living has a great resource section, a recovery guide, and a fantastic database of recovery centers, searchable by state.

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How to Finance Eating Disorder Treatment

The Anna Westin Foundation : The Anna Westin Foundation provides excellent information on individual health insurance plans and how to navigate through the red tape and get your treatment covered.

Eating Disorders : This online publication has fantastic advice on getting coverage for eating disorders treatment. Written by Dr. Pauline Powers, the article covers how to find the right treatment programs, getting the right diagnosis and much more.

The Joy Project : The Joy Project has a great list of resources and advice for eating disorder victims dealing with insurance companies.

National Alliance on Mental Illness : National Alliance on Mental Illness lists prescription drug assistanct programs for low income families and individuals. Since many eating disorders are the cause of mental illness, this can be a great first step to recovery.

The Official U.S. Government Site for Medicare : The government provides insurance for low income families and individuals. Check out their website and see if you qualify for this fantastic program.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance : Don't have insurance? Partnership for Prescription Assistance helps patients get the prescriptions they need for free or nearly free. They have helped millions of people around the United States get the help they need.

Portico Healthnet : This organization helps uninsured individuals from Minnesota to gain access to affordable health insurance. As of 1995, they have helped 8,000 children and adults gain access to health care.

RxAssist : Another great site that provides patients with the generic brand name type of prescription drugs for a severely discounted price. You can also find helpful articles and resources here.

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