It’s Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Open the dialogue and Support your Loved Ones

It’s Eating Disorders Awareness Week. It is so important to open the dialogue about eating disorders, help raise awareness and share ways you can support the loved ones in your life. 9% of the world's population suffer from some sort of eating disorder. It is a complex mental illness with many different causes and the sufferer may display behaviours related to several eating disorders. There are many different kinds including: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), Binge eating disorder, and other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED).

Eating disorders can be fatal, and they cause serious harm both physically and emotionally. But even though they are serious illnesses, eating disorders are treatable. But it is possible to make a full recovery and it is advisable to seek help as early as possible.

Just remember if you are suffering with an eating disorder, you are not weak, this does not define who you are and you can recover.

If you want some more information on eating disorders:

https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/get-involved/nedawareness

US Based Help:

Call (800) 931-2237(800) 931-2237, Monday - Thursday 11am-9pm ET, Friday 11am-5pm ET

Text (800) 931-2237(800) 931-2237, Pilot hours Monday - Thursday 3pm-6pm ET Standard text messaging rates may apply

For crisis situations, text "NEDA" to 741741 to be connected with a trained volunteer at Crisis Text Line.

For UK Based Help:

Helpline: 0808 801 0677

Our Helplines are open 365 days a year from 9am–8pm during the week, and 4pm–8pm on weekends and bank holidays.Sometimes our lines are busy. If you can't get through immediately, please do try again or try our one-to-one web chat on https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/.

For an emergency please ring 999 or the Samaritans on 116 123