Eating Disorders

Not just eating too little....

Eating disorders, although often seen as something linked to "attention seeking" or "just in the head", are conditions that can affect someone physically, psychologically and socially. They are serious mental illnesses and include anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder. 

"Over 725,000 men and women in the UK are affected by eating disorders."

Although serious, eating disorders are treatable conditions and full recovery is possible. The sooner someone gets the treatment they need, the more likely they are to make a full recovery.

Eating disorder fast facts;

-Anyone can develop an eating disorder, regardless of their age, sex or cultural background.

-Eating disorders claim more lives than any other mental illness – one in five of the most seriously affected will die prematurely from the physical consequences or suicide.

-Eating disorders are complex and there is no one single reason why someone develops an eating disorder.

-The causes of eating disorders still baffle health professionals Which has lead to extensive research over the years...we'll get there!

-Eating disorders are complex and not everyone will experience the same symptoms. People will respond differently to treatment and can take different amounts of time to recover.

- Some people can be affected by more than one type of eating disorder or find their symptoms changing type as they recover.

My story 

I've suffered with eating Problems from a very young age. Starting with extreme confidence issues at just 5 years old, I began a dangerous spiral of eating issues. Health professionals constantly worried over my weight which in fact only increased my obsession in how "fat" I was. 

No one wants to believe that a little child has eating issues (especially me) and so they went undiagnosed for several years, until the age of 16. Eating only a handful of mouthfuls of food a day for over a year lead to being unable to go more than down the street before nearly passing out. I was wearing children's clothes and crying my way through every day and night. The Anorexia destroyed my relationships between my friends and family until I had no one that I felt I could turn to. I considered suicide, self harmed daily and fell into a deep rut of Depression and Anxiety. 

Finally I had scared myself enough to seek treatment. I can honestly say that it is one of the most terrifying things that I have ever done, but do you know what? It's one of the best things that I have ever done. I am no longer over exercising and struggling with my daily activities. Life is so much better that it was two years ago. Moral of the story? Things are different for everyone, but that doesn't mean anything negative. It means that we are all unique and have a different path to follow than everyone else. You will get to your place of peace with work, determination and self love. 

Advice

Her Campus is just one of the many online communities that blog about mental health awareness and have even created The Loving Me Project. The online community has countless numbers of blogs, websites, and social media accounts that can provide support from the comfort of your own home.

B-eat 
Helpline: 0345 634 1414
Youth Line: 0345 634 7650
http://www.b-eat.co.uk/support-services/helpline 

All you need to do is have the courage to try.

Stay strong
- Louise xoxo