Millburn Op-Ed: Let’s Destigmatize Eating Disorders, Offer Compassion

MILLBURN, NJ — The following op-ed comes courtesy of Tushita Malik. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Understanding the impact of eating disorders in our world is vital. The link between mental health and eating disorders often comes up in discussions with family and friends, and this shows that it might be a topic that many others do not know about as much as well. Primarily, it is important to realize that eating disorders are serious mental health issues, not just choices people make.

As we approach National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, occurring from February 26th to March 3rd, it's crucial to shed light on this issue. Raising public awareness about eating disorders is becoming increasingly important. Just like other mental health problems, eating disorders aren't something people choose and can be life-threatening. But knowing the signs and that a full recovery is possible can encourage more people to seek help. Finding problems early and getting help quickly are important for making treatment work better and reducing the chances of serious problems or even death from eating disorders.

To achieve this, it's vital for the community to be acquainted with relevant statistics.

- “The suicide rate for individuals with bulimia is 7.5 times higher than that of the general population”

- “55-97% of people diagnosed with an eating disorder also receive a diagnosis for at least one more psychiatric disorder”

- At least “28.8 million Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime”

- “Every 52 minutes 1 person dies as a direct consequence of an eating disorder”

- “22% of children and adolescents worldwide show disordered eating”

- “Over 3.3 million healthy life years worldwide are lost yearly because of eating disorders”

This knowledge empowers us to support ourselves and our loved ones effectively. By understanding the prevalence and implications of eating disorders, we can proactively identify those in need and ensure they receive the necessary support and treatment for their journey towards recovery and well-being.

These jarring statistics are the result of the lack of knowledge, treatment, and support. As a community, one thing we can do is become aware and look out for warning signs with our loved ones.

Many are unaware of the different types and warning signs of some of the most common eating disorders. For instance, Bulimia Nervosa involves secretive acts of overeating followed by self-induced vomiting or extreme exercise, often accompanied by a persistent and excessive concern with body weight. Warning signs may include eating large amounts of food, dehydration, weakness, unusual behavior around meals, scars on fingers or knuckles, dental issues, or social withdrawal.

Anorexia Nervosa entails a distorted body image, with an unwarranted fear of being overweight. These are also people who are characterized by abnormally low body weight, but have a distorted perception of their body, which tends to interfere with their daily lives. Some warning signs to look out for include, extreme weight loss, thin appearance, insomnia, fatigue, dizziness/fainting, or bluish coloring of fingers.

Binge Eating Disorder, lastly, is an eating disorder characterized by eating quickly or when stressed and feel like they cannot stop eating even when uncomfortably full. Some warning signs would be eating out of control, frequent dieting, secretly eating, eating alone, or irritation/disgust with oneself after eating.

Despite these being just a few examples of eating disorders, it's alarming that up to 80% of cases may go undetected or untreated, as noted by psychiatric medical practitioner Rebecca Owens DNP, MBA, MSN, RN-BC. This underscores the urgent need for greater awareness and understanding of these disorders within our communities.

When talking about eating disorders, it's not just about food habits. We're dealing with serious mental health issues that can cause severe harm if not addressed. By amplifying our efforts to educate, advocate, and provide resources, we can contribute to a world where individuals struggling with eating disorders receive the compassion, care, and treatment they deserve.

If you or someone you know needs help call or text 988. Look out for warning signs, and know that recovery is possible. To learn more go to:

• https://bulimia.com/eating-disorders/eating-disorder-hotlines/
• https://nedc.com.au/eating-disorders/treatment-and-recovery/recovery

Essex County Mental Health Services

• Monday-Friday 8am-5pm: (518) 873-3670
• Toll Free Emergency Services 1-888-854-3773 (after hours, weekends, and holidays)

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