Frequently Asked Questions
What Is an Eating Disorder Support Group?
An eating disorder support group brings together individuals and facilitators to openly discuss experiences, acting as a supplement to treatment for eating disorders. Depending on the group, those who are alumni of recovery programs or are caregivers for people undergoing treatment for an eating disorder are invited to join.
Some groups offer generalized support for all eating disorders, while others focus on specific eating disorders. Eating disorder support groups are often led by trained facilitators, such as staff from a treatment facility, but they can also operate under a volunteer facilitator.
The structure of eating disorder support groups can vary, but all aim to allow participants to share personal stories and gain coping strategies. Though scheduling varies based on the group, many support groups meet weekly or biweekly and follow a specific schedule. While there are some support groups that meet in person, many others operate on a virtual basis.
What Are the Most Common Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders are an illness categorized under the umbrella of mental health. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa are common eating disorders, with anorexia nervosa following behind, but proving to be very serious.
It is estimated that nearly 30 million Americans will have an eating disorder at some point in their lives. Of the 7.8 million people who will develop an eating disorder in the future, 25 percent of those cases will occur before the age of 20.
What Causes Eating Disorders?
Experts generally agree that eating disorders do not have a single cause. They are complicated conditions that are influenced by a complex interaction of environment, psychological, and biological factors. This contributes to unhealthy relationships with food and/or weight, which disrupts eating behaviors to include actions of bingeing or avoiding intake of food, among other things.
Does Insurance Cover Eating Disorder Support Groups?
A vast majority of eating disorder support groups are free of charge, as they operate independently from traditional treatment programs. If a support group does require a fee—to help with operational costs, for example—it should be clearly stated how to pay and whether or not it can be submitted to your insurance provider.
Are Eating Disorder Support Groups Confidential?
Eating disorder support groups encourage members to be open to sharing and receiving experiences with eating disorders. Therefore, there is a high likelihood of confidentiality; clarification of this can be requested when joining a group, such as if a facilitator believes there is a clear and present danger of harm to a member of the group that requires a specific reporting protocol.
Can an Eating Disorder Support Group Help?
Though results can’t be guaranteed, support groups do offer a safe space for members to discuss any issues that may arise during or after treatment for an eating disorder. While not entirely the same, group therapy has been found to benefit people experiencing binge eating. This provides hope for the efficacy of managing eating disorder symptoms in a group setting as one key piece of a holistic approach to treating the illness.
If you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, help is available via the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Helpline. Call or text (800) 931-2237. For additional mental health resources, visit our National Helpline Database.
How We Chose the Best Eating Disorder Support Groups
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These eating disorder support groups were chosen based on a variety of factors, including recommendations from reputable and established eating disorder associations. We looked at a variety of treatment centers, nonprofits, and organizations that specialize in eating disorder treatment, awareness, and research, looking first at their support group offerings and what resources they recommend for individuals. We also wanted to provide a list of groups that would reach a wide group of people.
Next, we chose categories that would help serve specific groups of individuals who may need additional resources other than treatment or similar resources for eating disorders. While not all groups are hosted by a licensed facilitator, we considered groups that would offer privacy and, when preferred, anonymity, in order to provide as many options as possible for a safe and private platform to share personal experiences.
Finally, we looked at how well established each eating disorder support group was, considering factors such as frequency and accessibility.
