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Eating Disorder Awareness Week: I Had No Idea

February 22nd - 28th is National Eating Disorder Awareness (NEDA)Week and this year's theme is "I Had No Idea."  I ask you to join me and help raise awareness towards the impact eating disorders have on individuals, families, and communities across the nation. The more people who learn about these life-threatening illnesses, the more lives we can save.  Read this month's newsletter and share with your family and friends. If you know someone, or if you yourself are struggling with an eating disorder, seek help. You cannot travel this road alone and working with a physician, therapist, and registered dietitian who specializes in eating disorders will be essential for recovery. All communication is confidential. I know this can be a scary time, but help is available.   Feel free to email me if you have any specific questions or concerns.

I Had No Idea:

"What started out as a healthy endeavor turned into a fun hobby but then, it turned into a very unhealthy obsession. It was all I could think about. It was all I wanted to do. Not doing it made me angry. I had to exercise more. I had to eat less. If I could not do either of those, then I had to get rid of it. It is all I thought about. Food became a number. It affected my relationships. It hindered my social life. But it is all I wanted..."

- Ann (eating disorder patient, recovered 5 years)

Nobody sets out to have an eating disorder. Most often eating disorders develop from someone's attempt to lose weight. But with an increase in health awareness and "dieting", social media pressure to "look" a certain way, and the “magic” of Photoshopping in transforming a normal sized woman into a Barbie doll, eating disorders are on a rise. And as someone committed to the whole health of an individual, it is my job to educate my readers on a wide range of health issues that are plaguing our society. Eating disorders is another health issue that needs to be addressed.

As a health professional I know that a healthy body does not just come in one shape and size, nor are looks alone a key indicator if someone is "healthy" or not. True health is found in both a healthy mind, body, and soul.

For a free online, confidential eating disorder screening click www.mybodyscreening.com

Recipe for Recovery: Help is Available, and Recovery is Possible

While eating disorders are serious, potentially life-threatening illnesses, help is available and recovery is possible. It is important for those affected, and their loved ones, to remember that they are not alone in their struggle. Others have recovered and are now living healthy fulfilling lives. Let the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) be a part of your support network. NEDA has information and resources available via our website and helpline: www.NationalEatingDisorders.org, NEDA Helpline: 1 (800) 931-2237

Treatment for an eating disorder includes working with a multi-disciplinary team consisting of a physician, therapist, and registered dietitian. Sometimes in-patient hospital treatment is necessary, but often times treatment can be done on an outpatient basis. Understand that recovery is a process and it is not as easy as "just eat" or "just don't eat too much". Eating disorder recovery takes time and the person suffering with the eating disorder needs to learn new coping tools and mechanisms to manage emotions, identify triggers, and deal with stress.

Sometimes the family needs extra support and counseling to understand the eating disorder and how they can help. Remember that is OK. If you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder my hope is that you reach out and embrace the help and resources that are available to you. There is no shame is asking for help, we all need it at one point or another. Recovery is a beautiful thing and while the journey can be hard and challenging at times, trust me, the outcomes are worth it.

The value of a soul...

“It's never been true, not anywhere at any time, that the value of a soul, of a human spirit, is dependent on a number on a scale. We are unrepeatable beings of light and space and water who need these physical vehicles to get around. When we start defining ourselves by that which can be measured or weighed, something deep within us rebels. 

We don't want to EAT hot fudge sundaes as much as we want our lives to BE hot fudge sundaes. We want to come home to ourselves. (p. 174-5)” 

― Geneen Roth, Women, Food and God: An Unexpected Path to Almost Everything

 

News and Events: 

 

Facts Worth Sharing:

  • Did you know athletes are at higher risk of developing an eating disorder?
  • Eating Disorders are often overlooked or misdiagnosed by medical personnel. Learn the signs and share with your community.
  • Bullying is a major contributor to eating disorders - 65% say that it factored into their struggle.
  • 35% of “normal dieters” progress to pathological dieting. Of those, 20-25% develop an eating disorder.
  • Eating disorders don’t discriminate. They can affect anyone regardless of race, gender, sexuality, etc.
  • Parents don’t cause eating disorders. They can be a major part of recovery.
Look at media images with a critical eye before criticizing yourself! Learn more about National Eating Disorder Awareness Week here. Get social and share your story of hope #NEDAwareness 

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