In 2013, Binge Eating Disorder was recognized by the Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). In early 2015, the FDA approved Vyvanse for the treatment of binge eating disorder, and the manufacturer launched an aggressive campaign aimed at raising awareness about the disorder and promoting the use of a drug originally developed for the treatment of ADHD. These days it's hard to turn on the TV or open a magazine without seeing an ad that might leave you wondering where to draw the line between over-indulgence and a full-blown eating disorder. How do you tell if you have binge eating disorder and, more importantly, what can you do about it?

The stereotype persists that eating disorders affect primarily upper middle class young white females, but Mirasol's clients represent a kaleidoscope of ages, races, ethnic backgrounds and sexual orientation. Is it harder to get treatment — and is recovery more difficult — if you're LGBTQ or from a different racial or ethnic background? What if you're older, and have had the disorder for decades?

Development of a more positive body image is often used as a yardstick for eating disorder recovery, but it's one of the most difficult issues to address in treatment. In honor of Valentine's Day, Mirasol staff got together to discuss the challenges body dissatisfaction. Can you really improve your body image by gazing into a mirror, or shouting from the hilltops that you love yourself just the way you are? Probably not. But working through the feelings that come up when you do may help you uncover more important issues.

There is a very high correlation between eating disorders and addiction. According to NEDA, nearly half of individuals with an eating disorder also abuse drugs and/or alcohol. Is an eating disorder a form of addiction? If not, what are the differences? And more importantly, how can we effectively treat co-occurring eating disorders and substance abuse?

Estimates vary widely, but experts agree that there is a very high correlation between eating disorders and sexual abuse. So how do we begin to repair those damaged relationships, especially when clients may relate to sex the way they relate to food, engaging in behaviors that range from restriction to over-indulgence? It was a challenging topic for a panel discussion with therapists from Mirasol's adult and teen residential eating disorder treatment programs. As always, it reminded us of the many ways that our relationships with food both reflect and affect our interpersonal relationships.

When there's an eating disorder in the family, it affects everyone in the family, and every member of the family deserves a chance to heal. Mirasol's three-day family program is the heart and soul of its integrative eating disorder recovery program, bringing together children, parents, siblings and significant others in a supportive, judgment-free environment to discover a new family dynamic. This panel discussion begins with a detailed description of the program, and how it creates a space for the entire family to heal wounds that may have roots more than one generation deep.

Much has been written about a spike in eating disorders among middle-aged and older women, but there's very little information on their prospects for recovery. A group of Mirasol clinicians got together to compare notes on their experiences with older clients. What prompts someone to finally seek treatment after decades of illness? Is it a reaction to other profound life changes, like children leaving home or the end of a marriage? Is it a gift to oneself in retirement? What are the special challenges for older women in eating disorder treatment? How do you feel about a 20-something telling you when to eat or go to bed? What are the odds of recovering from behaviors that have been part of your identity for 20, 30, 40 years or more? Can the older eating disorder client overcome the odds with superior motivation, resiliency and a stronger sense of self?

Summer is the season of balmy weather, sandals and sundresses, cookouts and lazy evenings lounging by the pool with your best friends. But for individuals who struggle with an eating disorder, summer can be a season of heightened anxiety and stress. As the weather warms up and the tank tops and swimsuits come out, we all become more aware of our body weight and shape. Pressure to conform to unrealistic standards can be overwhelming, challenging self-confidence and sometimes resulting in dangerous behaviors and deteriorating health. In this podcast, Mirasol clinicians discuss the challenges of summer for teen clients in residential treatment, and the tools we use to help them power through these challenging times and develop a more positive self-image.

Vegetarian, vegan, low-carb, raw, paleo — all claim to be the "ideal" diet, and adherents preach the benefits with the conviction of religious converts. But the current obsession with "clean" or "healthy" eating can have very unhealthy consequences. Mirasol clinicians gathered to talk about the roots of orthorexia, how it differs from anorexia, and the red flags that help health professionals and family members distinguish between selective or "picky eating" and an eating disorder.