It's no secret that COVID-19 has made the past year a very difficult time for people socially, politically, and economically.
In March 2020, BuzzFeed News reported a story on the struggles people with eating disorders have faced during COVID-19, and how "eating disorders thrive in silence, [so] this is the perfect storm for that silence to get as loud as humanly possible."
If you're someone who suffers from an eating disorder, what has your experience been like during COVID-19?
Eating disorders come in all shapes and sizes, and there isn't one "typical" experience. This is a safe space to tell your story for a chance to be featured in an upcoming BuzzFeed post — it's important to share a dialogue, as this topic has been stigmatized for so long.
The experience I've had with my own eating disorder has been challenging during COVID-19. Since the pandemic, I've fallen back into habits that were unhealthy for me when my disorder peaked in 2018.
Since the pandemic started, distancing myself from my eating disorder has been a struggle since we're living in an extended period of isolation.
I'm fortunate enough to be working with a therapist who gives me strategies to build a healthier mindset. But still, my eating disorder has been a really hard thing to navigate during COVID-19, and sometimes it feels impossible to escape the overwhelming feeling.
Everyone's experience is different, and it's an important subject to talk about. If you're someone who has an eating disorder, we want to know how COVID-19 has impacted it (if at all). Tell us your story in the comments below, and you might be featured in a BuzzFeed Community post.
If you wish to remain anonymous, let us know — and remember: let's make this a safe space for people to share their stories.
If you're dealing with an eating disorder and need someone to talk to, the National Eating Disorders Association helpline is 1-800-931-2237. For 24/7 crisis support, text "NEDA" to 741741.