It’s National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, and this year, NEDA is asking everyone to do just one thing to help raise awareness and provide accurate information about eating disorders.
So while I’m technically on a little mini-break today (Happy President’s Day!), I wanted to pop on and share NEDA’s info. If you’re struggling with your relationship to food, please know that you are not alone. There is hope — and there is help available.
www.NationalEatingDisorders.org
Toll-free Helpline: 800-931-2237
Much love,
Virginia
PS. For more on all of this, check out these great posts by The Beheld, Jezebel, and Health for the Whole Self. Oh and Dances With Fat on Photoshopping.
I always feel like when it comes to awareness of EDs, everyone thinks of anorexia, then bulimia. They might spare a passing thought for food addiction, but very few who don’t suffer from it consider Selective Eating Disorder. What do you think?
Hi Sadsed,
When I refer to eating disorders, I’m talking about the whole range — anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, selective eating disorder, etc, etc. I agree that we tend to zero in on anorexia and bulimia because they are the most common and/or have generated the most media coverage. And people struggling with those conditions absolutely deserve and need our support! But you’re right that there are lots of other forms of disordered eating that can be devastating and difficult to live with. Thanks for bringing that up.
-Virginia
It was three years in recovery for me. Now a few years on and some days are still hard. When I’m raelly stressed it is a fight to stay normal and eat something good. But, if you’re fighting all the time and you need to be you for a little bit then I’d suggest doing something that is fun. Either with a friend or not. Sometimes doing it on your own is just as awesome. I don’t know what sort of things you like doing. But for me a treat was to go visit some old haunts. The RSPCA and see all the animals in there. Or the local animal sanctuary where the horses like to play. Take a break and a day for yourself. Even though food will still be there. It will be at least fun.