If I had to use any adjective to describe myself, I would use the word open. Nearly everything that has happened to me, been thought by me, or been done by me is played out to an audience. Whether it be lengthy posts on social media, or vocal recollections with close friends, one thing I have always been good at is sharing.
Because of this, it is no news to anyone who knows me that I have struggled with an eating disorder for approximately 7, going on 8 years.
For people who don't know me, you can read my story here.
But, my story is not what is important here.
Despite my knack of talking about myself, this post isn't going to be about me. It is going to be about you, or every person around you- who, whether you are aware of it or not- may be struggling with an eating disorder.
From here on out I want to talk about Eating Disorder Awareness and how despite attempting to help people suffering, many campaign tactics can actually cause harm.
First, though I would like to point out some good things that are circulating the internet.
1) This Viral Video: One Word: You Don't Look Like You Have an Eating Disorder
In this video, which was published to Facebook by WatchCut, people who have struggled with eating disorders discuss the phrase: "But you don't look like you have an eating disorder."
While seemingly innocent, this phrase is extremely charged. To someone without an illness, it may sound reassuring- something along the lines of "Oh don't worry you don't look sick! You look healthy."
But to someone who is struggling every day to try to gain control over their lives, lose weight, or to get help, this phrase comes across more as a slap in the face. People may as well be saying: "You don't need treatment, you're not sick." or "You're not thin enough to have an eating disorder. Aren't people with EDs are skinny?"
This is something many people don't understand, or don't know, and while they don't intend to harm the person they are speaking to, these types of statements often cause eating disorders to get worse. Whether it be via increasing of behaviors or increased restriction/purging/binging, many patients will attempt to prove their illness as a way to gain credibility and prove their 'friend' wrong.
While heartbreaking to watch, this video is something everyone should see to gain a little bit of insight into why seemingly harmless comments can actually have a powerful, and negative, meaning.
2) Eating Disorder Myths and Facts
Luckily, another thing I have frequently seen on the internet during ED Awareness week are lists of myths about eating disorders, all of which help to dispel common misconceptions about the illnesses. One such list can be found here.
Some of the most important myths are clarified below:
* Eating disorders are not a choice- they are a mental illness
* Binge eating is just as much of a detrimental disorder as restrictive eating.
* Eating disorders come in all shapes and sizes.
* There is no standard of what anorexia looks like.
* Eating disorders can affect people from any background/upbringing
* Eating disorders do not only affect women. Many men suffer as well.
* Eating disorders are not all about food. Many times they are about control, and the sufferer feeling as though they have lost control of their life. Eating is something that is easy to control and therefore often becomes a focus.
For more myths and actual information dispelling them, check out the list above or another one here.
3) Awareness Based Activities
Earlier today USA Today posted this article about a college program entitled "Proud2BMe" that was being promoted on California State University-Northridge's campus.
In the article, they mention that Proud2BMe is an on campus civic engagement project that has year round dedication to eating disorder awareness. Recently their awareness efforts have been expressed through their "iMediaBubble" event, where community members write reasons they are proud to be who they are in speech bubbles and have their photographs taken, and their "Take A Compliment" Campaign, where students are encouraged to give compliments out to other students.
These events are great examples of positive activities that can spread awareness and general positivity out to students and surrounding community members. Instead of just sharing information, they help people become engaged and informed through fun activities.
After all, nearly everyone prefers to be physically part of an event rather than just be lectured at.
BUT-
Not every campaign is as effective as the ones listed above.
For many people who are not sufferers of a disorder, spreading awareness seems cut and dry. You tell people about the issue at hand, you promote your ideas, and you try to get as many people involved as possible via whatever means necessary. However, what many people don't think about is how their efforts will affect those with disorders around them.
This is especially the case at my college.
In my three years here I have often found our on campus mental health group tabling and sharing their anti-ED ideas outside of our dining hall.
While this is a great location if you are trying to access a mass population of the student body, it is a terrible location that serves only to remind people who are already struggling about their disorder.
As many people know, eating disorders consume your thoughts. I can say from experience that you can rarely go an hour without constantly thinking about food and you feel as though you have lost control of your brain. Recovery is learning how to not let this happen, and how to not let food control you. But, as soon as you are going into a setting where you are expected to sit down and eat normally, these pamphlets and students preaching at you trigger your ED mentality to come right back. You no longer feel comfortable eating. Instead you feel insecure and want to leave the situation as soon as possible.
This is not helpful, it is harmful.
The same goes for campaigns that only talk about examples or physical facts, but never address the stigma that is associated with the disorder.
Many times I have witnessed people pass by a poster or read an article about a pop star coming out with a disorder and say "they are doing that for attention," or "but they could just eat?"
As most people know, neither of these is true, and it is so harmful to hear as someone who is trying to get help or recover on their own. It makes you feel as though your struggle is not valid or that you have an easy road of recovery ahead, both of which are also not true.
Luckily, many organizations are getting better at this, and I've seen more and more posts attacking the stigma that surrounds the invisible illness. After all, it is an illness, not a choice.
But there is still stigma out there, and it is your job as an ally to help fight it. Instead of just telling everyone about the facts that it doesn't only affect women, include that the illness is not something you can switch on and off. Don't just tell me that your hair may fall out, but that your reality and actual reality become warped. Let everyone know the unsavory details. It'll help them better see that nobody would choose to live like that.
I love awareness week, but I wish it was more inclusive and better thought out.
So if you're someone that loves to spread awareness and wants to help out, make sure to plan your ideas next year to be done smarter, and healthier. Eating disorders are scary and important to talk about, but its important to do it right.
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