Warning: This article contains content about eating disorders that may be triggering to specific viewers. If you or someone you know is struggling, remember that you are not alone and it is okay to ask for help.
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February 24th starts off National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Anorexia is the deadliest mental illness to date and about one person dies each hour as a direct result of an eating disorder. Whether you’re aware or not, it is unfortunately more than likely that someone you know suffers. Although these statistics continue to increase, eating disorders are STILL overlooked and underestimated.
Being knowledgeable and aware is the first step to in helping someone struggling. So, what is an eating disorder? Various sources classify it as a behavioral disorder where a person has an unhealthy relationship with food. However, this disorder affects people in so many different ways and is ungeneralizable. There are many different eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and more. Anorexia is often classified as someone with an intense fear of weight gain, leading to restricting food, overexercising, and being underweight, while bulimia occurs when a person purges their food. Eating disorders don’t stop there, and they can impact anyone regardless of gender, lifestyle, skin color, and so on. By being knowledgeable about eating disorders, you can much better support someone struggling.
During National Eating Disorder Week, NEDA highlights the impact on eating disorders on individuals throughout the United States, specifically women and girls. This year, they are specifically observing eating disorders in midlife. They are looking at issues women face in their 40s and beyond such as hormonal changes, body image struggles, and social pressures. The Office on Women’s Health works with organizations, health professionals, and communities across the country to reduce stigma, support recovery, and connect people with helpful resources.
With social media, diet culture, and the current state of our society, eating disorders are becoming more and more common, yet more and more overlooked. A study done by The New York Post revealed that even 30 minutes on a social media app can make women negatively fixate on their weight and appearance. Although it is human nature to sometimes feel jealous of others, the rise of social media has made it much more prominent. The way someone presents themselves on social media is not a reflection of their true life, as it often hides any flaws within it.
Noticing someone is struggling can be one of the first steps to getting them the help they need. According to NEDA, some of the warning signs are preoccupation with food, weight loss, and dieting, making excuses to skip meal time, extreme mood swings, or developing food rituals. Physical signs include noticeable fluctuations in weight, dizziness, fainting, paleness, and calluses around finger joints. These are just some of the many symptoms, but it often comes to just having an inkling that something is wrong.
If someone is struggling, giving them a helping hand can be the first step to their recovery. Politely suggesting that they talk to a professional is the best option, but if that isn’t possible, there are other ways to help them. One of the most important factors is to be patient and don’t force anything. Avoiding any talks about food can make them feel comforted and take stress off of their shoulders. Offer an ear to listen, but only make them share what they’re comfortable with. Also, don’t let their disorder consume them- still invite them out and make sure they’re included. Try not to criticize and give advice, especially if you’re not well-versed on the topic.
National Eating Disorder Awareness Week is a time to support people struggling, end stigma, and do research. While this week spreads a lot of awareness on eating disorders, it is important to note that people still struggle every day. Being knowledgeable is one of the first steps in combating this deadly disorder.
