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When we hear "body image," most of us picture how someone feels about the way they look. But for many people and often for neurodivergent people especially the harder part isn't how the body looks. It's how it feels to live inside it. This is a gentler, less-talked-about side of body image: not the reflection in the mirror, but the relationship with the body itself. And it's a relationship that, for many, deserves a lot more compassion than it usually gets. (New to ARFID and

If someone you love has ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), you are not a bystander to it — you're one of the most important people in their world. Walking alongside them with patience and understanding may be the most powerful support there is. This is a gentle guide to doing that, and to looking after yourself while you do. If ARFID is new to you, it's an eating disorder that makes eating genuinely hard — not about weight, body image or willpower, but about h

ARFID and neurodivergence often go hand in hand. For many autistic and ADHD people, eating is shaped by how the brain experiences the world — the senses can be felt far more intensely, and the body's internal signals can be quieter or harder to read. That's a big part of why food difficulties and neurodivergence so often appear together. And understanding that connection is the key to support that actually helps. If you're new to ARFID itself, it stands for Avoidant/Restricti

ARFID — Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder — is an eating disorder in which a person finds it genuinely hard to eat enough food, or a wide enough range of foods, to be fully nourished. Unlike some other eating disorders, ARFID isn't driven by concerns about weight or body shape. It's about the experience of eating itself. The name is fairly new, but the experience isn't. For a long time, many people lived this without a word for it. Having a name matters , it's often t

Recognising the early signs of eating disorders in children can feel overwhelming for any parent. In a world where societal pressures and unrealistic body ideals can feel greater than ever, it’s natural to be unsure of what to look out for. Many eating disorder behaviours — such as excessive exercise or restrictive eating — hide in plain sight, and are often even praised. This guide is here to help. Below, we explain the early warning signs of an eating disorder in children a

When a loved one is affected by an eating disorder, attention naturally turns to them, their treatment, their meals, their recovery. But there is another person in the picture who is carrying an enormous, often invisible, weight: the carer. Parents, partners, siblings, and friends pour themselves into supporting someone they love, frequently with no roadmap and very little support of their own. This post is about why that matters. Because caring for someone through an eating

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that affect people of every gender, age, background, and body shape. They are not lifestyle choices, and they are not caused by families. Yet for one group in particular — neurodivergent people — eating disorders are too often missed, misunderstood, or treated in ways that don't fit how their minds work. At CEDAR, we believe care should meet people where they are. That starts with understanding how neurodivergence and eati

Supported Families is now CEDAR — Community of Eating Disorders Awareness and Recovery. Read the story behind our new name, who we are, and what comes next for individuals, families, and professionals seeking eating disorder support in Ireland.

by Deirdre Reddan Being a parent or caregiver to a loved one with an eating disorder is incredibly challenging. There are many difficult feelings to navigate – terror, anxiety, fear, frustration, and sometimes even anger. One of the hardest tasks is helping your loved one eat. Something that you may have done naturally for years, and that once felt easy and joyful, can suddenly feel overwhelming, stressful, and anxiety-provoking. Mealtimes, once a normal part of family life,

by Deirdre Reddan I well remember the fear and trepidation I felt when my daughter came home from inpatient treatment for an eating disorder. How would I manage mealtimes? Was I strong enough to support her recovery? Did I have the skills to help someone with an eating disorder at home? I had read many books about eating disorders and recovery, but I still wondered whether I would truly be able to support my daughter through this journey. Then I had the opportunity to learn t