Raising awareness, reducing stigma, and providing hope and resources for recovery for people struggling with an eating disorder, and those supporting someone who may have one.
What is Eating Disorders Awareness Week?
Eating Disorders Awareness Week is an important time dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and providing hope and resources for recovery for people struggling with an eating disorder, and those supporting someone who may have one.
How many people are affected by eating disorders?
It is estimated that about 9% of the US population, or 28.8 million Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime(source).
What is an eating disorder?
An eating disorder is a complex illness where people have extreme disturbances in their eating behavior. Some people may eat too little for what their body needs, some people may eat too much to the point of discomfort and experience emotional distress. Some people may have extreme fear or anxiety around food, or specific foods, or strong thoughts and emotions related to their body weight, size or shape. Regardless of the type of eating disorder someone has, all eating disorders can have serious implications on someone’s overall wellbeing and health.
Some important things to make note:
Eating disorders can affect anyone.
You cannot tell if someone has an eating disorder just by looking at them.
An eating disorder is not a lifestyle choice.
Recovery is possible.
When preparing for Eating Disorders Awareness Week, I asked some of my clients with lived experience what they wanted people to know about eating disorders, or what they felt would be helpful for people to know...
With permission to share, and with their desired citations for their quotes, here is what they had to say:
“Eating disorders are complex and multifaceted. They don’t have a single look to them, which can make them difficult to recognize in their early stages when intervention and disruption of symptoms are most important. An eating disorder is like a parasite inside the brain: the longer it goes unaddressed the more damage it does and the more control it takes, until it’s the one calling the shots. It offers false promises in exchange for unquestioned loyalty while it secretly sucks the life and personality out of you in the background until you become unrecognizable both physically and mentally. An eating disorder doesn’t fight fair, but they are beatable with the right resources. An eating disorder doesn’t develop overnight and it can’t be solved overnight either. It takes great effort, support, determination and patience. But the result of that hard work is far greater than anything an eating disorder will falsely promise.” ~Mike Kraft
“Eating disorders don’t define who you are. They can become consuming and you can feel like the ED has become all you are. Never believe that. You are more than just your eating disorder. No matter why it may have become a part of your life, there is always the possibility of recovery. Things can and will get better.” ~AB
“No matter what anyone says the number on the scale does not equal your worth” - Kristen Tavano
If you are wondering,"do I have an eating disorder?":
The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders(ANAD) suggests asking yourself, “How much time do I spend thinking about food, weight, and body image?” Does this preoccupy most of your time? Does this interfere with your day to day life, or, your quality of life? If you answered yes, it may be time to reach out.
Still not sure?
The National Eating Disorders Association offers a screening tool on their website, which may be able to provide you with a little more insight. You can find that here.
Where else can I go for more information or for help?
The National Eating Disorders Association and The Alliance for Eating Disorders Association, are two great places to start.
They offer more information on Eating Disorders, toolkits for parents, teachers, and coaches, and those in supportive roles. They also have tools to help you find treatment too.
Some local resources to check out:
Emilee Connection("The Emilee Connection, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) whose mission is to support adults who suffer from anorexia and other eating disorders by harnessing the power of peer support, social connection, activities, educational events, inspiring speakers, and provide education and peer support for those who love them and for our community")
KMB for Answers("non-profit organization dedicated to expanding awareness, knowledge, understanding, support, and options for those impacted by Eating Disorders").
Moon Shadow's Spirit("need-based financial assistance to individuals with an eating disorder diagnosis who are seeking treatment at residential facilities or intensive partial hospitalization program facilities")
What I want you to know:
You are not alone.
There is a community of people here to support you.
Please do not hesitate to reach out or ask for help.
To everyone who contributed quotes to this post:
I want to thank you for sharing your wisdom and voice with us.
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