I’m suffering from a pretty serious eating disorder, but I don’t know who to talk to for help.
It’s remarkable to recognize disordered eating and/or disordered exercise in oneself, so if this is you, good job. We have an incredibly unhealthy perspective of food and body image in our society today, so it’s no wonder that close to 15% of all individuals struggle with some form of an eating disorder. (And this number DOESN’T include dieting.)
Eating disorders aren’t just anorexia and bulimia. They also include binge eating, excessive exercise and obsession with healthy eating. However, all can cause some degree of damage to the body, so recognition and treatment is very important.
Where to start? Everyone is entitled to choose their own path, but consider these safe options for a jumping off point:
Your doctor. Whether you have a great relationship with your doctor or only see them once a year for a checkup, this is what a doctor is here for. We are trained to recognize the consequences of eating disorders and know the next steps for you. Depending on where you are in your eating disorder, they may want to check labs, schedule regular meetings with you or refer you to a specialist like a dietician or an eating-disorder physician. They will also want to include someone from your family in your recovery plan, because their support is going to be super important.
A parent, guardian or other adult that you trust. This is a big step, but here’s the thing — they MAY already recognize your disordered eating but aren't sure how to bring it up. If you are nervous about blurting it out directly to their face, consider writing it in a note or bringing it up in the car (or somewhere else where you don’t necessarily need to make eye contact). And have you considered that they may PERSONALLY know what you’re going through? That’s because there is a strong genetic link to eating disorders, meaning if your mom or dad had an eating disorder it’s more likely that you’ll have one, too. So they might be more understanding than you think.
An online service. This is a great, anonymous option for those who aren’t quite ready to share their concerns to a person. A wonderful organization with a VERY comprehensive website is the National Eating Disorders Association. It’s also a great place to learn more about eating disorders if you know someone who is struggling.
Whatever route you decide, know that you are brave, strong and never alone. So many of us have, are currently or will struggle with an eating disorder. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.
