ANAD’s longest serving program is their eating disorder, self-help support groups. Self-help group support can help tremendously when someone is suffering with an eating disorder, because it allows them to share what they are feeling and thinking in a safe, non-threatening environment where they will not be judged for having an eating disorder.
The National Alliance for Eating Disorders provides free, weekly, therapist-led eating disorder support groups (both virtual and in-person), these communities not only aid in decreasing isolation, but provide individuals with a sense of belonging. They offer an environment of acceptance that serves as a refuge for those who may feel misunderstood and also creates a community where participants feel seen, heard, supported, and valued.
Support groups, though not a replacement for treatment, are a free or low-cost way to gain support from others. Here is a list of online and in-person support groups compiled by NEDA.