Illnesses can be scary because we don’t know what’s going on in our bodies or head. There’s nothing wrong with fearing an issue, and many times the more you know about the issue or illness, the easier it can be for you to meet the challenge of conquering it. This includes both bodily and mental illnesses.
Mental illnesses like eating disorders can be so frightening because you don’t know why you’re feeling the way you do. There’s plenty of misinformation out there about eating disorders so to shed light on the problem, let’s examine 3 things you didn’t know about eating disorders.
3 Things You Didn’t Know About Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders Can Happen to Everyone
It’s easy to think of eating disorders as confined to runway models but eating disorders affect a wide variety of people. Eating disorders don’t care if you were raised poor, or rich, what color your skin, what your weight is, they can strike anyone, anywhere. If you’ve been arguing with yourself, “An eating disorder can’t happen to me!” Think again.
There are Many Types of Eating Disorders
There are several types of eating disorders out there and they all can present different symptoms. Binging and purging are the most widely-known of eating disorders but eating disorders can also show symptoms in midnight snacking, body image issues, self-esteem issues, the consumption of non-edible items and more.
Eating Disorders Can Be Helped
The good news is that even the worst of eating disorders can be helped if those suffering seek help. There are many different therapies and strategies to help eating disorders including self-help, counseling sessions, group therapy, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitative services and more. If you or someone you know may be suffering from an eating disorder, just know help is readily available.
It can be tough to cut through the clutter, especially when it comes to mental illness, but it’s important to have the facts. When it comes to eating disorders, know that they can happen to anyone, can present in a wide range of symptoms, but they can be helped. If you or someone you know is worried about a potential eating disorder, time lost is dangerous so have them contact a therapist, counselor, of other eating disorder resource today to get the help they need.