18 Things To Remember This National Eating Disorder Awareness Week
This week marks National Eating Disorder Awareness Week (or NEDAW). Anyone who has suffered or is suffering from an eating disorder, or anyone who has watched a loved one battle with one knows that it’s far from easy. They are not glamorous. They can’t be fixed in a week like a snotty nose. They are vicious, isolating, and have the power to take complete control of your life. With that, we compiled a little list of friendly reminders for you all about eating disorders.
Eating disorders do not discriminate; they affect people of all shapes, sizes, ethnicities, genders, abilities, and ages. Basically, nobody is exempt.
Whilst the media may tell you otherwise, you do not have to be a thin, white, cis teenage girl in order to have an eating disorder.
Eating disorders are not “just a phase”.
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses and require treatment.
You can have experienced living with an eating disorder without being formally diagnosed by a doctor.
Large numbers of eating disorders go undiagnosed because of the wide acceptance of diet culture.
Similarly, large numbers of eating disorders in those living in larger bodies go undiagnosed because of medical fatphobia and the (extremely misguided) notion that you have to have a low BMI to have an eating disorder.
Whilst some eating disorders can produce physically presenting symptoms (such as weight loss), the most dangerous symptoms – fear of food or obsessive thoughts being just the tip of the iceberg – are completely invisible.
The majority of eating disorder sufferers thrive off of being ‘complimented’ on their physical appearances, which can send them further down their mental spiral. This is one of the many, many important reasons not to ever point out a person’s weight or size. (Note: someone else’s body is none of your business.)
Recovery is not easy.
Recovery is not quick, nor is it linear. (One of the psychologists at my old ED ward described recovering from an eating disorder as being on a train. Everyone gets on and off at different times, in different places. They might even decide to get off the train, stay put in one place for a while, then jump back on the train and head to another stop. It’s not the most perfect analogy, but it helped me in some way.)
Telling someone to “just eat something” does not help. It’s not that simple.
The same goes for any advice to stop (or start) doing any other type of disordered behaviour.
What might work for one person recovering from an eating disorder doesn’t necessarily work for another. Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a ‘one size fits all’ treatment.
There are people out there who can help you, even if it doesn't feel like there is.
Whether you’re someone suffering with an ED, or you’re trying to help support a loved one, there are incredible resources available to help make recovery a reality.
If you’re not sure where you ‘sit’ on the (very broad) spectrum of eating disorders, a trip to a trusted health professional, or a phone call to a helpline will help you towards navigating your symptoms and experiences, and exploring what treatment would be most suited to you. (I rang the Beat Adult Helpline when I wasn’t sure where else to turn, after countless unsuccessful trips to my GP, and they were brilliant. The adult helpline is also great for parents, teachers or other concerned adults who are looking for advice.)
Recovery may seem completely out of reach, but it is possible.
If you’re in need of support for yourself or a loved one, head to our Resources and check out our Eating Disorders page.
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