Support Groups For Eating Disorders

An eating disorder is any of several psychological disorders characterized by serious disturbances of eating behavior(Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 19 Dec. 2016.). According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders approximately 8 million people suffer from eating disorders. Anyone is eligible to fall victim to eating disorders no matter race, age, culture, etc. Scientist have found that no one thing causes eating disorders but many factors do. Some of those factors include biochemistry, genetics, psychology, environment, and culture. Knowing what causes an eating disorders can help determine what method to use when trying to treat one. Whatever the treatment may be it must be tailored to that
Support groups is another method proven to help with eating disorders.An eating disorder support group is an assembly of men and/or women who gather together to provide each other with various types of help related to eating disorders. In over 30 states there are support groups that help with eating disorders. There are two main types of eating disorder support groups as well as them being classified as open or closed. The two main support groups are as follows:
“Self-Help Eating Disorder Support Group: In these types of support groups for eating disorders, members of the group are typically the organizers and managers of the group. This may consist of men or women who are volunteering or who have personal experience with eating disorders. Other terms for these types of groups include peer support groups, fellowships, or mutual help groups.
Professionally operated support groups: These types of groups are facilitated by professionals who control and oversee discussion and/or provide other managerial services. These types of groups may be operated through institutional settings, such as hospitals or eating disorder treatment centers. Professionals who may facilitate group discussions may include social workers, psychologists, or licensed therapists. These types of support groups may function for a certain time period, and a fee for attendance may also be included.”(Ekern
"Individuals with Eating Disorders and the Use of Online Support Groups as a Form of Social Support." Individuals with Eating Disorders and the Use of Online Support Groups as a Form of Social Support. Web. 18 Dec. 2016.

"Role of Support Groups in Eating Disorder Recovery." Eating Disorder Hope. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Dec.