Next week, the week of February 21-27, is National Eating Disorders awareness week. Eating disorders are not discussed often because they're not pretty and can be an awkward topic to bring up, as it's a very commonly hidden disorder. A lot of people I've met think it's "someone who doesn't like food," which isn't accurate. Many of my friends and family would be shocked to find out that I myself have struggled with Anorexia as a young teen. But eating disorders are a real mental illness that, if not treated, could lead to death. So here's the truth.

Most Common Eating Disorders

Anorexia - "Anorexia nervosa is a potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by self-starvation, excessive weight loss and negative body image."

Bulimia - "Bulimia nervosa is a serious disorder that involves a recurring pattern of binge eating followed by dangerous compensatory behaviors in an effort to counteract or “undo” the calories consumed during the binge."

Binge Eating Disorder(BED) - "BED is characterized by repeated episodes of binge eating without the use of purging or other compensatory measures following the binge."

Myths and Facts

Myth #1) Eating disorders are just about food

Fact) This is commonly where the phrase "just eat" comes into play. But any eating disorder, though called as such, is a mental disorder, not just an "eating" disorder. Forcing someone with an eating disorder to eat will not "cure" them. They will need psychological help to get better.

Myth #2) Only women get eating disorders

Fact) 1 in every 4 cases are men

Myth #3) Eating disorders are all about vanity

Fact) Eating disorders are mental and because of that, there is usually an ulterior reason why the eating disorder was caused. Often times it is a matter of needing to feel in control, having nothing to do with the actual weight or 'vanity' of it.

Myth #4) Eating and reaching a normal weight means the disorder is cured

Fact) Though it is important to help a patient get to a normal weight (if they are underweight, as many patients with anorexia are), that alone does not "cure" them because of the psychological issues that need to be helped.

Myth #5) Eating disorders only effect teenagers

Fact) 95% are young people yes, but do you notice the number 12? That's not a teenager, and that number just keeps getting lower. These girls should still be innocent, not worried about being "too fat"

can recover from this. Everyone, start talking, start helping. Learn more at http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

Credit for facts: http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/ and http://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/portal/#...

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