Blog posts with the tag "Practically Speaking"

Eating disorders are a significant and often underreported issue within the U.S. military, affecting service members' health, readiness, and overall well-being. These disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder, present unique challenges in the military environment due to the intense physical and psychological demands placed on personnel. The pressure to maintain certain weight standards and physical fitness levels can exacerbate the risk of developing unhealthy eating behaviors, contributing to the prevalence of these disorders among service members.

Like many of you reading this, I am a mental health provider. I have worked with a wide variety of clients dealing with a wide variety of challenges–successfully and competently (or at least I hope). I have had the privilege of bearing witness to and helping people navigate some of the darkest, soul-crushing experiences, sometimes supporting them, sometimes helping them approach rather than avoid, sometimes grieving with them, and always cheering their successes and their strengths. Last fall, I found myself on the other side–well, not exactly.