National Eating Disorder Awareness Week

Yesterday marked the first day of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. This week is dedicated to informing others about eating disorders and about the reality of them. Unfortunately many people do not understand the complexities of eating disorders. They think it's just about getting thin and starvation. This is not true. There are many contributing factors that cause eating disorders. In the USA alone, 30 million people (men and women) struggle with some form of an eating disorder at some point in their lifetime. Somebody close to you could be struggling and you may not even know. Many people don't even know the symptoms of an eating disorder: completely unaware of the fact that they are personally struggling. By knowing the signs and knowing how to discuss it with those affected, you may be able to save somebody's life--or your own. Just because somebody doesn't look gaunt and/or starved doesn't mean they aren't struggling. For example, many people who have Bulimia Nervosa are at a normal weight, or even overweight. These people are not likely to get help because they're "not severely skinny" and those around them aren't going to advise or push for the path of recovery.


My experiences with eating disorders are usually kept very secret but I feel by sharing my experiences I can help others. Maybe somebody will be able to relate to me. Maybe I can help save somebody's life.

I struggled for years. From the ages of 15 to 18, I didn't eat. I felt insecure, As cliche as it sounds, I wanted to feel beautiful. I was called names throughout my childhood by many different people and I had enough. I wanted to lose so much weight it would seem ridiculous to be called "fat". I wasn't educated on healthy weight loss methods. I didn't know what to do, I was only a child. The pressure around me to be thin was very constant from other kids around me and the media. The only thing I knew was that if I ate less, I would become "skinny." I started to restrict. It started with 800 calories a day and reduced at a constant rate. I didn't exercise at the beginning so I overcompensated with eating far too little. Eventually, I ended up eating about 300-500 calories a day and exercised for hours on top of that. This was only the beginning of my downward spiral into an eating disorder. It evolved into something more than simply losing weight. It became an obsession. I couldn't think of anything other than restricting or exercising. I felt overwhelming guilt when I ate "too much" or if I didn't exercise. I felt out of control on days I allowed myself just slight indulgence, so I would restrict even more the next day to make up for it.

 I was out of energy constantly, my hair was drying out, my nails were breaking, and my skin was flushed of color. Only my friends closest to me knew what I was struggling with. Nobody else suspected anything since I became an expert at hiding it. There's a strange feeling of strength and control that comes with restricting but it follows with dark depression and self-hatred. Not eating made me feel as though I was beating the system. "You need to eat" people would repeatedly tell me. I didn't listen. I thought they were stupid. I would justify it to myself. It made so much sense in my head. "Pffftttt...I'm not eating and I'm still alive. They don't know what they're talking about". I thought my body was different and everybody else didn't know me like how I knew myself. I didn't believe I was "sick". With every pound I lost, I felt like I was closer to reaching my goals. I was closer to becoming beautiful. I was closer to being accepted in society. I thought I was in control. I thought I had more self control than those around me. It wasn't until I lost my period that I realized I was struggling with something larger. I was in denial for a long time. I thought it was just a normal hormonal fluctuation--but soon I would realize it wasn't. It took me close to a year to admit to somebody I had a problem. Admitting something like this is extremely difficult to do. It makes most people feel weak in the moment. However, looking back at what I've struggled with and how I've pulled myself out makes me feel strong. Although I tore my body apart, I eventually pulled myself out of misery. The most important thing for somebody who is struggling is for them to recognize they're struggling. I had a great support system with my friends, but unfortunately not everybody is this lucky. Often times, those affected, don't realize they're sick and hide it for years. Many times, by the time they get help, it's too late. The road to recovery isn't as simple as it may seem. Just eating and gaining weight isn't the end of an eating disorder. It's a constant battle in your head. It's a battle between what you know and what you want. The thoughts never go away. There are still days I struggle with the thoughts. There are days I have to force myself to eat. I'd be lying if I didn't say I still momentarily relapse when stress gets too high. This is why I'm passionate about this subject. I don't want anybody else to have to even start experiencing these things--or if you are, I want you to get help as soon as possible before it gets worse. This is why I'm advocating for spreading awareness. If I had been educated at the beginning. If I knew of healthy weight loss habits when I started at 14-15, if I knew these habits were wrong and if I knew the knowledge I'm trying to spread, I wouldn't have ruined my body like I did. I still see and deal with the side effects of my eating disorder even though it was treated years ago. I'm still in recovery: a mental recovery.


The best treatment for eating disorders is early treatment. Prevention and early treatment are crucial in saving somebody's body. Especially today, we see girls as young as 7 becoming conscious of their bodies. Due to the media and what is expected of girls, there is added pressure to be thin. Dieting from such early ages is one contributor to the increasing rates of eating disorders in the United States. Currently, young girls are 12 times more likely to die from an eating disorder than any other cause of death.


An extremely common misconception is that eating disorders affect only young girls. This is an EXTREMELY FLAWED view. Not only do eating disorders affect a large amount of middle aged women, but in the United States, 10 million men will suffer from some type of eating disorder. Male ED battles are even more of a silent battle since eating disorder awareness is more focused around girls. Because of this, males are less likely to get help. This is something we need to change by spreading awareness about male eating disorders as well. We need to inform those around us that eating disorders extend further than just one category of people. It is recorded that 33% of adolescent males use unhealthy weight control behaviors.


This is definitely something that is very close to my heart so I will be posting facts throughout this week. The more people know, the better they'll be able to deal with it themselves or with others that may be struggling. Eating disorders are more common than you think and come in many different forms. I hope the information that will be given throughout this week will possibly help prevent others from falling into this horrible lifestyle or support/help those who are already struggling.


By spreading awareness we will help reduce the stigma around eating disorders and support those who are struggling. Those affected shouldn't feel alone. They're one of many victims of today's society.


For more information, visit http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/