National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

Over an estimated 30 million people in the United States struggle with an eating disorder.¹

These people can vary in age, gender, ethnicity, and body type. Their unhealthy eating habits can be detrimental to their health and even deadly.

Eating Disorders as a Mental Illness

While many people associate eating disorders with physical health, they are actually a form of mental illness. There are several types of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, but these disorders are often about control. Many people with eating disorders struggle with the unpredictability of life. While they may not be able to control their lives, they can control their eating habits.

Not only can eating disorders be both detrimental to a person’s physical and mental health, but several people with eating disorders also struggle with a substance abuse disorder.² One study estimates that as many as half the individuals with an eating disorder also abuse or are dependent on alcohol or illicit drugs. When this is the case, it is important to find a dual diagnosis treatment center to address both issues.

This Year’s National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDAW) is a national event dedicated to educating the general public on eating disorders and their dangers. It is the greatest outreach effort of its kind and takes place this year from February 23rd to March 1st.

While many people believe that the only people who struggle with eating disorders are young women who are too thin, this is not the case.  In order to portray the idea that eating disorders are far-reaching and can affect people of various ages, genders, ethnicities, and body types, this year’s theme is Come As You Are: Hindsight is 20/20. Not only does it promote inclusion, but the focus is also on looking at the progress that has already been made for people struggling with this mental health disorder.

Whether you have personally struggled with an eating disorder yourself or you know someone who has, people are encouraged to participate in whatever way they see fit. There are several ways to get involved and help raise awareness of this mental health disorder. People who have been affected by eating disorders are encouraged to share their stories with your local community or online with the hashtags #NEDAwarenss or #ComeAsYouAre. Those who are still struggling with an eating disorder are urged to get professional help at a mental health facility.

If you or a loved one is battling a mental health disorder, things can get better. At Banyan Mental Health, we want to help. Our mental health partial hospitalization program offers the help and guidance necessary for patients to move past their mental health problems and move forward with their lives.

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To get more information about our facilities and programs, call us today at 888-280-4763.

Sources:

1. ANAD - Eating Disorder Statistics
2. NCBI - Patterns of Comorbidity of Eating Disorders and Substance Use in Swedish Females