Alison Pelz, RD,LD, LCSW

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder is not just a simple case of picky eating; it is a complex psychological condition that can cause significant nutritional and reduced quality of life, particularly if it endures into adulthood.

Unlike other eating disorders that are often driven by concerns about weight and body image, ARFID is characterized by an avoidance of food based on sensory sensitivity, lack of interest in eating, depressed appetite, and/or fear of adverse consequences such as choking, throwing-up, or an allergic reaction.

Individuals grappling with ARFID may face a persistent difficulty when it comes to eating sufficient quantities or varieties of food. This can stem from deep-seated anxiety, gastrointestinal discomfort, or past negative associations with food.

Learn more about ARFID here: https://www.alisonpelz.com/2024/07/16/understanding-arfid-more-than-picky-eating/

Many clinicians don’t have sufficient training to properly diagnose and treat this psychiatric condition. Weight bias, stigma, and the intersectionality of other identities are additional barriers to diagnosis and treatment. Those who suffer from eating disorders often have the belief that they don’t warrant treatment, despite significant psychosocial impairment because of these barriers.

Because eating disorders affect multiple spheres, they must be treated using a biopsychosocial model in order to achieve full recovery.

It is imperative that eating disorder treatment professionals have some basic understanding of medical consequences of eating disorders to advocate for their clients in the medical community, to effectively collaborate on a multidisciplinary team, and provide much needed psychoeducation to those who suffer from eating disorders and their loved ones.

The reading material for this course, Sick Enough, will be used as a reference over and over on the clinician’s book shelf, and can be recommended to clients and their loved ones to help support recovery.

This course is available to LPCs, LMFTs, and dietitians! Learn more and register here: https://alison-pelz-s-school1.teachable.com/p/cdr-approved-medical-complications-of-eating-disorders

(This course has been pre-approved by the CDR for Continuing Education credit.)

Dietitians - do you have a long list of books that you’ve been meaning to read to help in your clinical work, but you don’t feel like you have time to read them?

Do you want to earn CEs that are affordable, complete at your own pace and relevant to your clinical work?

This course was designed to help clinicians more effectively coach caregivers in family-based treatment of eating disorders. When Your Teen has an Eating Disorder is often recommended resource by clinicians as the gold standard for families of those with teens with eating disorders. In this course, you'll read the book at your own pace, then take a 51 question CPEU exam to receive credit.

Learn more and register here: alison-pelz-s-school1.teachable.com/p/cdr-distance-learning-ce-course-when-your-teen-has-an-eating-disorder-by-dr-lauren-muhlheim

(This course has been pre-approved by the CDR for Continuing Education credit.)

I firmly believe in that knowledge can be a powerful tool in recovery. Often people with eating disorders have feelings of shame, isolation and helpless.

Learning about eating disorders can help cope with these feelings and dispel any myths around eating disorders.

I wrote about some of my favorite eating disorder recovery resources in the Austin area and beyond on the blog.

https://www.alisonpelz.com/2014/02/24/eating-disorder-resources/

Whether you are an individual with an eating disorder or a loved one of a person with an eating disorder, looking for a qualified therapist can be tough.
This post will give you tips on what to look for in a treatment provider, and questions to ask to help you determine the right eating disorder therapist for you.
•
•
•

Are you looking for resources as the parent of someone with an eating disorder? The following books give practical strategies for families supporting their loved one with an eating disorder. They are all using a family-based treatment (FBT) approach to treating an eating disorder.

Family-based treatment empowers the family to help support their child through nutritonal rehabilitation and eating disorder behaviors.

Get more resources for parents of those with eating disorders here: https://www.alisonpelz.com/2022/07/20/finding-support-as-a-parent/
•
•
•

Parents often blame themselves or feel responsible for their child’s eating disorder.

I haven’t met a parent or loved one who doesn’t want what is best for their loved one – to be happy and live a productive, healthy life.

Let me be clear: you are not to blame for your child’s eating disorder.

Eating disorders are complex. They develop for a variety of different reasons including social, biological, and psychological factors. For example, did you know that being a girl or a history of dieting are risk factors for developing an eating disorder?

As an eating disorder therapist + dietitian, I encourage parents to focus less on why their child has an eating disorder, and more on eliminating the eating disorder.

Parents are an important piece of eating disorder treatment. Get support here: https://www.alisonpelz.com/2022/06/29/parents-an-essential-part-of-eating-disorder-treatment/

Therapists, doctors, and dietitians are must-haves on any eating disorder treatment team. But parents have an important role to play too! Here are a few reasons why parents are important in the recovery process.

Learn more about the important role of parents in eating disorder recovery on the blog: https://www.alisonpelz.com/2022/06/29/parents-an-essential-part-of-eating-disorder-treatment/
•
•
•

As a parent or caregiver, you are an important pillar of support for your child as they go through eating disorder recovery.

As the caregiver of someone with an eating disorder, you naturally want to do what you can to help your child through this. Learning more about eating disorders can help you understand what your child is going through, and connecting with other caregivers can give you an opportunity to feel supported yourself. You don’t have to go through this alone.

Get more resources for parents of children with eating disorders here: https://www.alisonpelz.com/2022/07/20/finding-support-as-a-parent/

Let's talk about ways to stay on track with eating disorder recovery during the summer ⬇️

• Keep eating disorder recovery a priority: It is summer break from school, but not from recovery. Keep recovery front and center if you don’t want to backslide on the progress you have made! There are several ways to keep recovery a priority such as having regular check-ins with your treatment team, journaling about your progress and areas to improve on, reading books & articles about recovery, attending support groups, etc.

• Make a plan: Whatever your summer plans are, strategize ahead of time. How are you going to keep on top of your meal plan, self-care and treatment appointments? Talk to your treatment team in advance about your summer schedule. Collaborate with them on your care over during the summer months.

• Ask for help: Talk with your family, loved ones or support person about how you plan to stay on track with your eating disorder recovery. Discuss potential areas of concern, learn how to ask for help and communicate areas of success to loved ones. Interact regularly with your treatment team, particularly if you feel like you are struggling.

• Learn to say no: Taking on too much, particularly early on in eating disorder recovery, is an easy way to get derailed. This may mean saying “no” to fun social engagements, a job, an internship or a vacation in order to spend time on your recovery.

If you're in Texas and need support with eating disorder recovery for you or someone you love, you can reach out here: https://www.alisonpelz.com/contact/

Keeping recovery a top priority during summer can be tough if you are a college student. Whether you are heading home or staying close to campus, eating disorders can become exacerbated in the summer. These are some of the reasons why.

Get tips for staying on track with eating disorder recovery during the summer here: https://www.alisonpelz.com/2018/05/08/eating-disorder-recovery-during-summer/

Keeping recovery a top priority during summer can be tough if you are a college student. Whether you are heading home or staying close to campus, eating disorders can become exacerbated in the summer.

Although there are some potential obstacles during summer, there are several ways to keep the momentum of recovery going over the summer months.

Learn how to stay on track in your eating disorder recovery during the summer on the blog: https://www.alisonpelz.com/2018/05/08/eating-disorder-recovery-during-summer/

I’m here to give you hope.

After years as a therapist and registered dietitian, I’ve seen the positive results that come from family-based treatment where parents are properly equipped and supported to be part of the solution their child needs.

Learn more about family-based treatment for eating disorders here: https://www.alisonpelz.com/2024/06/03/can-family-based-treatment-help-my-child-recover-from-an-eating-disorder/
•
•
•

One of the benefits of family-based therapy (FBT) is that the child or teen usually gets better faster than any other treatment, making it one of the quickest ways to help your child and family heal.

Learn more about family-based treatment for eating disorders here: https://www.alisonpelz.com/2024/06/03/can-family-based-treatment-help-my-child-recover-from-an-eating-disorder/
•
•
•

Family-based treatment (FBT) for eating disorders is an evidence-based treatment for disorders like anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and even ARFID (i.e. extreme selective eating).

Unlike many other treatments that put the responsibility on the identified patient or the person with the eating disorder, FBT includes the parents. Instead of seeing the parents as part of the cause of the eating disorder, they are seen as part of the solution.

We use your expert knowledge of your child to help your child get better.

Learn more about family-based treatment for eating disorders here: https://www.alisonpelz.com/2024/06/03/can-family-based-treatment-help-my-child-recover-from-an-eating-disorder/

Family-based treatment makes sense to parents. If your child had cancer or some other serious medical condition, you, as the parents, would be highly involved in treatments including appointments, physical therapy, and all the steps to recovery.

It shouldn’t be any different for treating eating disorders.

Learn more about family-based treatment for eating disorders here: https://www.alisonpelz.com/2024/06/03/can-family-based-treatment-help-my-child-recover-from-an-eating-disorder/

Eating disorders are an epidemic in our country.

Family-based treatment has been used in the United Kingdom for many years. It has proven to be more effective than other forms of eating disorder treatment.

With a 75% success rate, teens receiving FBT also recover faster than with other treatments. The research also shows that teens are doing better after engaging in FBT than in other treatments.

Learn more about family-based treatment here: https://www.alisonpelz.com/2024/06/03/can-family-based-treatment-help-my-child-recover-from-an-eating-disorder/

In family-based treatment, a clinician guides the parents in empathizing with the child while also holding boundaries around eating, food, and other eating disorder behaviors like binge eating and laxative use.

These are some of the benefits of family-based treatment for both the family as a whole and the child.

Learn more about family based treatment for eating disorders here: https://www.alisonpelz.com/2024/06/03/can-family-based-treatment-help-my-child-recover-from-an-eating-disorder/

If you are a parent or caregiver, desperate to help your child who is struggling with an eating disorder, family-based treatment may be the solution you are searching for.

After years as a therapist and registered dietitian, I’ve seen the positive results that come from family-based treatment where parents are properly equipped and supported to be part of the solution their child needs.

Learn more about family-based treatment for eating disorders here: https://www.alisonpelz.com/2024/06/03/can-family-based-treatment-help-my-child-recover-from-an-eating-disorder/

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by severe food restriction, an intense fear of weight gain, and body image disturbance. Anorexia nervosa affects many individuals of all genders, ages, and identities worldwide.

If someone you love is in eating disorder treatment and recovery for anorexia nervosa, these are some of the ways you can support them.

Get more information on helping a loved one with eating disorder recovery here: https://www.alisonpelz.com/category/eating-disorder-recovery/

It might be helpful to keep in mind that anosognosia is not a choice but rather a symptom of the disorder.

It is deeply rooted in neurological and psychological mechanisms impairing the individual’s ability to perceive reality accurately. This is completely out of their control, and without professional help,they may be unable to leave behind their problematic and highly dangerous behaviors.

The good news is with nutrition rehabilitation, anosognosia diminishes.

Is someone you care about dealing with anosognosia along with anorexia nervosa? Learn more about how you can support them effectively here: https://www.alisonpelz.com/2024/04/11/anosognosia-in-anorexia-nervosa/

One of the most dangerous aspects of anosognosia in anorexia nervosa is the individual struggling with insight when the condition becomes life-threatening.

This lack of awareness around a loved one’s illness can further complicate the treatment plan and, many times, prevent treatment from occurring altogether.

Learn more about how to deal with anosognosia in anorexia nervosa here: https://www.alisonpelz.com/2024/04/11/anosognosia-in-anorexia-nervosa/

Anosognosia can affect individuals struggling with bipolar, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and other psychological disorders.

In anorexia nervosa, individuals may minimize the severity of their condition. They may adamantly believe they are not sick, or that their behaviors are justified, making it incredibly difficult for them to recognize the need for treatment. It can feel like your loved one is being “difficult” and in teenagers it can be especially confusing because during adolescence it is normal for teens to be contrary or contradictory.

Learn more about how to deal with this difficult condition here: https://www.alisonpelz.com/2024/04/11/anosognosia-in-anorexia-nervosa/

It’s already difficult enough to observe as a family member or loved one suffers from Anorexia nervosa, but anosognosia can make it incredibly distressing and frustrating. Despite your pleas, watching as your loved one deteriorates physically and emotionally, while they remain unaware of the severity of their condition, can evoke feelings of helplessness and despair.

Learn how you can best help your loved one here: https://www.alisonpelz.com/2024/04/11/anosognosia-in-anorexia-nervosa/

Are you wondering if you’re addicted to exercise? Here are six signs that you’re dealing with compulsive exercise. If you relate to these, learn more about dealing with compulsive exercise on the blog here: https://www.alisonpelz.com/2023/05/10/when-exercise-becomes-too-much-could-it-be-exercise-addiction/

So inspiring!

Video Young viral star highlights struggles of rare food disorder Eight-year-old Hannah and her mother are on a mission to educate the public about ARFID, a disorder that sparks major fear and aversions to many common foods.

When exercise becomes so rigid that it is harmful to your well-being it has shifted from healthy to compulsive exercise. Some people refer to compulsive exercise as an exercise addiction, because the urge to exercise often feels very strong and it can be uncomfortable to ignore it.

Learn more about the signs of compulsive exercise on the blog: https://www.alisonpelz.com/2023/05/10/when-exercise-becomes-too-much-could-it-be-exercise-addiction/

Through listening to your body, patience, and practice you can find the type of movement that is right for you to promote both your mental and physical health.

Learn how to reconnect with exercise during eating disorder recovery on the blog: https://www.alisonpelz.com/2018/07/17/reconnecting-exercise-recovery/

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can be effectively treated by family-based treatment. Family-based treatment is unique in that the caregivers are seen as the agent of change, not the therapist. In family-based treatment the caregivers are supported by the clinician versus in traditional models of care clinicians are primarily providing direct care to the teen.

This course for therapists was designed to help clinicians more effectively coach caregivers in family-based treatment of eating disorders. Learn more + sign up here: https://www.alisonpelz.com/distance-learning-ce-course-for-therapists/