If you’re interested in meeting other people who have eating disorders, you can find some great online meetings for this condition. Many of these groups are free, and you don’t even need to be officially diagnosed to join. Some of the organizations that offer these meetings include the ANAD, Alsana, and the Center for Discovery. Here are some tips to help you find an online meeting for eating disorders that will be beneficial to you.
Center for Discovery
The Center for Discovery (CD) has offices across the United States and online support groups for individuals who are dealing with eating disorders. The organization has hosted a variety of meetings and has been around for more than 20 years. Its virtual meetings are held via HIPPA-compliant Zoom video conference software. Participants do not need to RSVP for these meetings. They are also free of charge and available to anyone who needs support.
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The Center for Discovery offers six support groups for individuals with eating disorders. These online meetings are open to the public and are free of charge. They are designed for peer support, and are not a replacement for professional treatment. The meetings last for a couple of hours. The Center for Discovery also offers a self-help online support group called Recovery Road, which offers tools such as meal logs and goal tracking. You can also chat anonymously with other people in the group and get support.
ANAD
There are many online meetings for eating disorders, including those hosted by the National Association for Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD). These are free and confidential groups that are meant to provide an environment of recovery. These meetings can be beneficial for people of any age, and there are even special populations for adolescents. For more information, visit the ANAD website. It also offers helplines and email for anyone suffering from eating disorders.
While online meetings for eating disorders have been around for decades, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has made them even more prevalent. Adolescents are increasingly isolated and glued to their phones. Online health education has also been pushed to the internet, cutting many vital social connections. These online meetings can provide an excellent alternative to face-to-face support for adolescents and their families. And with the rising number of people suffering from eating disorders, more parents are turning to the internet to find help.
Alsana
The Alsana Foundation is an eating disorder nonprofit that offers both in-person and virtual care to adults and adolescents. The organization’s Adaptive Care Model(r) integrates medical care with therapeutic care and focuses on providing compassionate support for individuals battling an eating disorder. The nonprofit is open to clients of all genders and sexual orientations and specializes in treating eating disorders and co-occurring disorders.
The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness was founded by Johanna Kandel in 2000, and offers free weekly in-person and virtual support groups throughout the country. There are groups for family members and friends, as well as a group for LGBTQ+ individuals. Each group offers a variety of support resources, including articles and therapeutic activities. The Alliance also offers support groups for friends and family of eating disorders, as well as groups aimed at people suffering from anorexia and related disorders.
Eating Disorder Foundation
The Eating Disorder Foundation offers a variety of support groups for people with eating disorders. Though the foundation started with a single support group for loved ones and friends, its online meetings have shown considerable impact in helping individuals maintain personal mental health and create a strong community. These groups are led by licensed professionals, Masters-level clinicians, or practicum graduate students. HAES and ESDS are two support groups for teens that focus on body image, self-worth, and care of the body.
The Eating Disorder Foundation offers several support groups online and in person. They have meetings for women and men, and offer support to those with eating disorders. There are also support groups for children and adolescents and even a virtual support group for caregivers. Support groups help the affected person feel less alone during their recovery process, as they share their experiences and learn from others. The support groups are free and open to the public.
NACoA
NACoA has online meetings for eating disorders, including a Support in Recovery group. This type of group is open to anyone and is confidential. Its members share their experiences with others struggling with the same issues. The groups are not designed to replace treatment, but rather to offer a place where people can share their experiences and seek guidance. These meetings are open to anyone, regardless of age or gender. They are also hosted through Slack, which means that they are not HIPAA compliant.
There are PAL meetings all over the country, but if you’d rather have a virtual meeting, you can join the online version of the group. These meetings are confidential and private, and you’re welcome to participate in them as long as you’re comfortable doing so. The website also offers support for families of addicts. The content at NACoA is intended to help the family members get through the toughest time with the person they care about most.