February includes an important week for us to keep in mind: National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. From February 21-27, the National Eating Disorders Association supports people who have had their lives affected by this disorder. While eating disorders may seem like a scary myth that only happens on old TV shows (where they’re solved in one episode- cough cough Full House) they are actually a pretty prevalent part of the lives of college students. Recent Studies show that nearly 20 percent of college women deal with some form of disordered eating.
Courtesy of NEDA
What even is an eating disorder?
Most people have a vague idea of what an ED is. College students usually know very obvious signs- such as starving or purging- but don’t realize that it’s more than just “the type.” Disordered eating can take many forms, and tends to be different for each person.
- Anorexia Nervosa– This is the kind most girls know about, typically characterized by restrictive food intake. This often involves a warped body image, and obsession with losing weight.
- Bulimia Nervosa– This is another common kind. It’s marked by episodes of eating large amounts of food and then forcibly purging the food- a lot of times by vomiting or laxative abuse.
- Binge Eating Disorder- This is often distinguished by frequent moments of consuming large amounts of food, with intense feelings of guilt and self hate, as well as feeling out of control.
- Orthorexia nervosa– This can be seen by an obsession with “healthy eating- “not just wanting to eat nutritious food, but literally fixating on eating only foods considered “good.” It often turns into restriction so much so that it damages health.
There are obviously more than just these types, and a lot of girls (and guys as well) can experience a combination of different disorders.
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It’s more than just “skinny.”
Everyone thinks that EDs happen because the person in question is tormented by a need to be skinny. Why else would someone decide to fall into unhealthy food habits, right? Wrong. Girls fall into these patterns for lots of reasons. It tends to center around a need for control. Many with disorders express feeling lost of out of control in their lives, and feel a need to grab their power back by taking a hold of what they eat. This can turn into big problems, and can be very dangerous. They’re one of the highest killers of young adult women- without treatment, 20 percent of people with EDs die. It’s not just about being thin at that point.
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How to recognize the signs:
It can be hard to tell if someone is suffering from an eating disorder. It’s not always easy to see. They can affect anyone, and it’s not just what you’re used to seeing in the media. People of any body type can be affected, and moreover it is not just women. Anyone of any gender expression can suffer from these.
Signs can include: low self esteem, family history of mental illness, history of being bullied about weight, fear of eating, obsession of control over “good foods” or number of bites, disappearing for a long time after meals, dramatic weight loss, extreme focus on control or perfectionism, over exercising, losing periods, and calorie counting. If you see your friend acting strange about food, it may be time to speak up.
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What not to say to someone with an ED:
If you have a friend who has told you she has been dealing with eating problems, you may have a few gut reactions of what to say. Here are some “don’ts-” things you say that could be more hurtful than helpful.
- “But you’re so skinny”
- “You don’t look anorexic”
- “Just eat something”
- “It’s not that big a deal”
- “But aren’t you hungry?”
- “Calm down”
- “Wow you must have so much will power”
- “Are you sure you want to eat that”
Instead, be supportive. Let her know that you are here for her. Don’t comment on how thin she does/doesn’t look. That could end up encouraging the problem. A lot of times, she may really want to eat, but her ED brain tells her that it isn’t allowed. Don’t just help her eat a sandwich once- but realize that this is really hard on her, and can take a while to push through. Don’t comment on what she’s eating, but offer to eat with her. Sometimes just having a friend to sit with can make the hard process of eating so much easier.
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How to Get Help:
Eating disorders are extremely intense, but it can often take time for someone suffering to even realize that she has a problem. But here’s the thing: there is no such thing as “bad enough” because any issue with your eating is serious. If you have an eating disorder, or if you see a friend with the signs, get help fast. Your ED will always find an excuse to ignore help, to skip meals, to hide it from your friends, and to keep these patterns going. But let me tell you- get help now. Don’t wait. It may be scary to reach out, but it is scarier to keep going with a dangerous way of life.
To get help on campus:
Call counseling services: 214-768-2277
Email campus dietitian: dietitian@smu.edu
For help at home: