Welcome to our blog!
We are passionate about offering a service and community which is inclusive, empathic, understanding and non-judgmental. We believe that support should be available for all those affected by eating difficulties and disorders regardless of age, race, gender identity, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
These principles of equality and diversity underpin our person-centred, service user led approach to mental health and a big part of the reason we decided to launch our blog space. Here you’ll find First Steps ED updates, as well as stories and features from our community. We want to give everyone an opportunity to share stories, introduce unheard voices and discuss important topics around mental health and eating disorders.
Masculinity… a help or hindrance towards eating disorders for the LGBTQ+ community? An informed opinion.
Masculinity… a help or hindrance towards eating disorders for the LGBTQ+ community? An informed opinion. It's quite commonly understood these days that the LGBTQ+ community has an increased susceptibility towards mental health conditions due to the specific, stressful and/or traumatic experiences they endure throughout their lives,
What I Learnt from Volunteering with First Steps ED
What I Learnt from Volunteering with First Steps ED I always thought it took a particular kind of person to volunteer. I have always had friends that had different passion projects in their lives, spending a few hours a week supporting a cause close to their hearts,
My Experience with First Steps ED: ICS and Psychotherapy
My Experience with First Steps ED: ICS and Psychotherapy I was first introduced to First Steps when I had just been discharged from a hospital and inpatient admission. I had eaten to get out of hospital in order to relapse; I had no intention of getting
The Cost of Living Crisis with an Eating Disorder
The Cost of Living Crisis with an Eating Disorder The cost of living crisis in the UK has a huge impact on all individuals living with an eating disorder or in recovery. Food and energy prices have been rising markedly over the past year, this is in
People with Anorexia Don’t Get Pregnant
People with Anorexia Don’t Get Pregnant I was diagnosed with anorexia when I was 13. At an all-girls school where my peers were hypercritical of every aspect of appearance, periods and development before you were 13 were seen as a sign you were fat, you couldn’t control
Learning to Understand the Eating Disorder
Learning to Understand the Eating Disorder Eating disorders (ED's) don't develop out of nowhere, for no good reason. Even the link between social media and ED's is a little pushed in my opinion. Whilst social media can have a negative impact on a person's perception of
Managing Exam Stress with an Eating Disorder
Managing Exam Stress with an Eating Disorder It’s natural to feel stress around tests and exams, that’s what they say anyway. For someone that has an eating disorder the upcoming exam period is possibly the most daunting time I’ve experiences so far in recovery. My parents don’t
Megan’s Fundraiser: “For the charity that helped me turn my life around”
Megan's Fundraiser: "For the charity that helped me turn my life around" One of the best things about recovery for me is now being able to help others come to understand their eating disorders and get the help the they need and deserve. Whether this be
Thank you to Stowe Family Law LLP for their generous donation!
Thank you to Stowe Family Law LLP for their generous donation! With every donation, the First Steps ED team are able to continue supporting individuals and families in navigating recovery for eating difficulties and disorders. First Steps ED is passionate about education, early intervention and equity for
Anger, Acceptance and Awareness: My Postnatal Eating Disorder Journey
Anger, Acceptance and Awareness: My Postnatal Eating Disorder Journey One of the hardest parts of the post-partum period was to accept, my new mum bod. My body changed so much, and I was sick and tired of being asked how I planned to get my body back.
Pregnant with an Eating Disorder: My Story
Pregnant with an Eating Disorder: My Story I never expected to become pregnant. I'd had my eating disorder for 23 years before receiving an official diagnosis of 'Anorexia Nervosa.' My last period was a year previous. Having a baby was something I'd longed for, but which
Living with ARFID: Beyond Picky Eating
Living with ARFID: Beyond Picky Eating I found out I wasn’t just a fussy eater when I was 29 years old. Before that, I’d stumbled through life feeling a bit odd whenever the subject of food came up but with no means of explanation beyond, “I don’t
Write for us!
We are proud to support and offer a platform for individuals who are ready to share their stories and talk about their experiences of recovery. Together we can offer hope to lives affected by eating disorders. If you have something to say, a story to tell or advice to share, you are in the right place.
Get in touch!
