Eating Disorder Awareness Week
27 February 2018
This week is eating disorder awareness week. 1.6 million people in the UK are affected by eating disorders and they affect people of all ages, most commonly people aged 13 to 17 but it can range from ages 6 to 70. This awareness week has a distinct focus on those suffering from eating disorders in the workplace to highlight how anyone affected by an eating disorder can be best supported by employers and their colleagues.
Why is it important to raise awareness for eating disorders? Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder, from medical complications associated with the illness as well as suicide.[1] Eating disorders have a devastating effect on those suffering and their families and can have lasting affects for the rest of their lives.
Social media has been accredited for the increase in people feeling increasingly unhappy and self-conscious in their appearance and body image.
There is a huge misconception that someone suffering from an eating disorder is severely emaciated, but this is not the case for the majority of eating disorder cases. The main symptoms. Eating disorders affect each person differently, but there are warning signs and symptoms you can look out for. Including:
- Difficulties concentrating
- Feeling cold all the time
- Self-esteem overly related to body image
- Avoiding eating with others
- Lying about how much and when they've eaten, or how much they weigh
- Going to the bathroom a lot after eating, often returning looking flushed
However, it’s important to note that these are not present in all eating disorders and can differ from person to person.
If you think you may be suffering from an eating disorder or know someone who is, always seek help and advice from your GP. https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/
has a range of numbers and helplines on how you can help yourself or someone else. https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/ also has plenty of information and advice. Never suffer in silence, early intervention is what eating disorder awareness is about.
Tweet your craziest socks to @beatED and @BeatEDSupport and say #SockItToEatingDisorders to raise awareness and support.
[1] https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/media-centre/eating-disorder-statistics
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