Navigating an Eating Disorder When You Already have OCD: Resources

The International OCD Foundation explains that individuals with OCD have higher rates of eating disorders (about 11 to 17%), so if you or a loved one find yourself struggling with both OCD and an eating disorder, you are not alone. You are also in the right place.

It can be overwhelming to have to switch gears and begin looking for new resources and treatments. Below are clinician-approved resources to help you on your journey:

For those who prefer educational and supportive websites:   

·         The Body is Not an Apology by Sonia Renee Taylor

·         FEAST

o   FEAST: Support and resources for families affected by eating disorders (feast-ed.org)

·         The International OCD Foundation

o   International OCD Foundation | The Relationship Between Eating Disorders and OCD Part of the Spectrum (iocdf.org)

For those who prefer YouTube videos:

·         Ro Mitchell (Ro Mitchell - YouTube) is a young woman in the United Kingdom who suffers from Anorexia Nervosa. She decided to hold herself accountable in her recovery journey by posting YouTube videos. She is mindful of what she says and does on her channel while providing supportive and informative content. She has a video for how loved ones can help here:

For those who follow Instagram:

·         radlove.nutrition (Instagram)

·         hannahtalksbodies (Instagram and TikTok)

·         bravespacenutrition (Instagram)

For those who prefer podcasts:

·         The Body Grievers Club podcast by Body Image with Bri LLC

·         Food Psych podcast by Christy Harrison

o   Food Psych Podcast — Christy Harrison - Intuitive Eating Dietitian, Anti-Diet Author, & Certified Eating Disorders Specialist

·         The Eating Disorder Trap podcast by Robyn Goldberg

o   The Eating Disorder Trap Podcast - The Eating Disorder Trap

For those who prefer to read books:

·         Eating in the Light of the Moon by Anita Johnston, Ph.D.

o   Microsoft Word - Eating in the Light of the Moon.doc (rochester.edu)

·         Goodbye Ed, Hello Me by Jenni Schaefer

o   Goodbye Ed, Hello Me book | Eating Disorder, Anorexic | Jenni Schaefer

·         Things No One Will Tell FAT Girls: A Handbook for Unapologetic Living by Jes Baker (This book reclaims the word “fat” and empowers women to love themselves within a potentially shaming world)

o   Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls: A Handbook for Unapologetic Living by Jes Baker | Goodreads

·         (For Caregivers Only; includes triggers and real-life situations that may not be suitable for individuals in recovery) Distorted: How a Mother and Daughter Unraveled the Truth, the Lies, and the Realities of an Eating Disorder by Lorri Antosz Benson Taryn Leigh Benson

o   Distorted: How a Mother and Daughter Unraveled the Truth, the Lies, and the Realities of an Eating Disorder by Lorri Antosz Benson | Goodreads

For those who refuse to engage in therapy services and/or are not sure they believe in therapy:

·         Rehabilitate, Rewire, Recover! By Tabitha Farrar

o   My book: Rehabilitate, Rewire, Recover! - Eating Disorder Recovery for Adults (tabithafarrar.com)

Treatment Resources in the Texas/Austin area

For those ready for therapy (both providers specialize in OCD and ED):

·         Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists

o   Rebecca Athanason, LCSW- teletherapy only, ages 14 and above, private pay

o   Our Team | Austin Anxiety Therapists

·         Healgood Holistic Counseling Center

o   Alexandra Caron, LPC- in person and teletherapy, ages 10-19, private pay

o   Alex Caron, LPC — Healgood Holistic Counseling Center (healgoodcounseling.com)

For those ready for dietician services (all provide teletherapy services):

·         TLB Nutrition Therapy

o   Sarah Radcliff, MS, RDN, LD

o   TLB Nutrition Therapy

·         Health Loft

o   Adrienne DePaul, MS, RD, RDN, LDN - Health Loft (healthloftco.com)

·         KP Nutrition Therapy

o   Kate Peters, MS, RD, LD

o   About — KP Nutrition Therapy

 For those in need of medical providers:

·         Dr. Martha Pyron (adult)

o   Sports Medicine and Eating Disorder Clin Austin - Martha Pyron (medinmotion.com)

·         Dr. Sarah Ferrero (adult)

o   Sarah J. Ferrero, MD- Family Medicine | Austin Regional Clinic

·         Dr. Erin Knopf (adult and adolescent)

o   Meet Our Team of Eating Disorder Specialists | Very Health

·         Dr. Kirsten Miselis (adolescents)

o   Kristin Miselis, Psychiatrist, Austin, TX, 78756 | Psychology Today

·         Dr. Maria Monge (adolescents)

The mental wellness journey can be tough to navigate. The important thing to remember is that you are brave for even exploring your options.

If you have any questions or need additional resources, please reach out to us at hello@austinanxiety.com.

Written by Rebecca Athanason, LCSW

Rebecca is a licensed clinical social worker at Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists. She specializes in teletherapy, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma/PTSD, eating disorders, grief-related issues, anxiety disorders, and depression. She enjoys working with teenagers, adults, seniors, couples, and families. If you are interested in learning more about navigating eating disorders when you already have OCD or if you would like to schedule a therapy appointment with Rebecca please contact us at hello@austinanxiety.com or 512-246-7225.