Connected in Care
Insights from the Eating Disorder Provider Education Network
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Eating Disorder Recovery, Support, and What Providers Can Actually Change
Ask most clinicians what a patient with an eating disorder needs, and “a good support system” appears somewhere near the top of the list. It is one of those phrases that sounds like a clinical recommendation and behaves like a hope. It’s vague in what it means, who is meant to build it, or what…
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The Importance of Eating Disorder Education in Crisis Intervention Training
A young person experiencing a behavioral health crisis may be first noticed by anyone who they spend time with, not just a specialist. It could be a teacher, coach, first responder, school counselors, therapists, parents, or other community members. These individuals all have the opportunity to recognize concerns early and help connect youth with appropriate…
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Eating Disorders Don’t Stay in Specialty Care
Most healthcare providers can probably remember a patient who left you wondering if something else was going on. The labs looked normal enough. The symptoms did not quite fit together. The patient mentioned ongoing stomach issues, chronic fatigue, anxiety, or an injury that was taking longer than expected to heal. Maybe they seemed uncomfortable when…
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Four Steps to Making an Eating Disorder Referral That Works
You notice the signs. You have a clinical suspicion, maybe a strong one. And then comes the part nobody really trained you for: what do you actually say? How do you bring it up without alarming the patient, triggering defensiveness, or watching them nod politely and never follow through? Why Referrals Fail (And Why It…
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Understanding Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) and the Role of Eating Disorder-Informed Care
Athletes are often celebrated for their discipline, commitment, and ability to push beyond perceived limits. Dedication is closely tied to behaviors such as increased training volume, careful attention to nutrition, and pursuit of performance goals. However, when the demands placed on the body consistently exceed the energy available to support health and daily function, the…
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The Trauma–Eating Disorder Connection
Understanding the Impact of Early Abuse on Severe Eating Disorders Eating disorders are often misunderstood as being primarily about food, weight, or appearance. These elements rarely tell the full story, especially in individuals with histories of severe trauma. A growing body of research highlights a powerful connection between early adverse experiences, including abuse and neglect,…
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We Did It! EDPEN’s Inaugural Spring Training
EDPEN held its inaugural Spring Training at the University of Arizona, Tucson, and it was everything we hoped it would be. 115 providers from across the United States gathered for two days of immersive, interdisciplinary eating disorder education. Primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, dietitians, therapists, social workers, and recovery coaches came together to collaborate and…
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Why Eating Disorder Awareness Belongs at the Center of Adolescent Care
May is National Adolescent Health Month (NAHM). This month is an annual observance dedicated to supporting adolescents in leading healthy, fulfilling lives. NAHM highlights the interconnected domains of adolescent wellbeing: mental health, physical health, healthy relationships, and preventive care. At EDPEN, we see National Adolescent Health Month as an important moment to draw attention to…
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A New Resource for Providers: Introducing the EDPEN Caregiver Brochure
A free, customizable tool to help you close that first appointment with something families can actually use You’ve just told a family that their loved one may have an eating disorder. The appointment is ending. The parent across from you is trying to absorb what you’ve just said. They have questions they don’t yet know…
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The Intersection of Eating Disorders and Suicide Risk in LGBTQIA+ College Students
Content note: This post discusses eating disorders and suicide risk in clinical terms. It is intended as an educational resource for healthcare providers. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. What the Research Shows Eating disorders and suicide risk are…