The holidays are a revolving door of gatherings, meals and expectations.
Potlucks at the office. White elephant parties with friends. Celebrations across family homes. For many, this is a season of enjoying festive treats and nostalgic comfort foods as they spend time with loved ones. But for anyone with an eating disorder, it can be a period of heightened stress as they navigate recovery.
About 30 million Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime, according to the National Eating Disorders Association, while one person dies every 52 minutes as a direct consequence. That mortality rate is the second-highest of any psychiatric illness, behind opiate addiction.