When Pleasing Becomes a Survival Strategy: Understanding the Fawn Response
By Kate Smiley, LCSW — Licensed clinical social worker specializing in anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, and EMDR therapy Most of us are familiar with the “fight or flight” response—the way our bodies prepare to confront or escape a threat. Some might also recognize “freeze,” when we shut down or become paralyzed in the face […]
Grieving the Comfort of Chaos: Letting Go of My ED Friend
Societal pressures Societal pressures to be thin can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re caught in the grip of an eating disorder (ED). The ED part of us often seems to step in, offering a way to achieve that idealized body image that society pushes on us. I remember my own struggles, particularly during my bulimic […]
How social media can affect mood, body image, self-esteem, and attention span
By Kate Smiley, LCSW — Licensed clinical social worker specializing in anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, and EMDR therapy In today’s digital world, social media has become a central part of daily life for many people. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) offer connection, entertainment, and information, but they can also have […]