Via Slayground, whose post links to her excellent booklist on the topic: The National Eating Disorder Association has named February as National Eating Disorder Awareness Month.
I wanted to post about it because
A. So many teens struggle with eating disorders and
B. Quite a number of people I love have been hurt by them, and some of them continue to be hurt. And it is truly heartbreaking to me.
In the United States, as many as 10 million females and 1 million males are fighting a life and death battle with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. Approximately 25 million more are struggling with binge eating disorder (NEDA, 2005). This is a disorder with life and death consequences.
Below are some of the symptoms of Eating Disorders identified by the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV-TR):
A person who refuses to maintain body weight that is at or above the normal weight for the age and height of the individual. This would be measured by weight loss leading to the maintenance of body weight less than 85% of the expected weight gain during the period of growth.
The person shows an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even if the person is under weight.
The person has a distorted outlook on their body image.
If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or someone you love, please, acknowledge them, confide in someone, and start striving for your best self and your best health. There are many people out there who will help you. If you are a teenager, please tell your parents or other adults that you trust. No matter where you are or how old you are, you may call the NEDA Toll-Free Information and Referral Helpline: (800) 931-2237
