Eating Disorders Support Links

A common misconception regarding Eating Disorders is that it's about food or body. It isn't. It can cause general health consequences (such as starvation), but the source of the problem is psychological, not physical. It is not that your body is too skinny or too fat and you need to 'fix' it in order to feel good again. Some people have eating disorders with perfectly fine bodies, while others have grossly obese bodies and no signs of an eating disorder whatsoever. Excess body weight does not cause an eating disorder, and improving it does not heal an eating disorder either. It's a psychological problem that requires a psychological solution.

According to DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, EDNOS, etc) are a part of obsessive-compulsive spectrum, which, in its turn, belongs in a larger anxiety spectrum. Since anxiety issues are a common symptom in abuse survivors - is it surprising that many of us struggle with eating disorders?

Maintaining one’s health (mental and physical) is technically one’s choice. Only you can decide whether you want to address your eating disorder at this time, or not yet. However, people do get committed when their mental health issues start posing a life-threat.

If you feel your body is fine - that’s great. But it doesn’t necessarily mean you do not have an eating disorder. The problem with eating disorders isn’t only that people get skinny, it’s that they spend great amounts of time, energy, nerves, etc on monitoring their eating. All this energy could be spent in other ways that are more productive and pleasurable. So, if you feel you worry about your weight, exercise, diet, etc more than you want to - do talk to someone about it. It can be your doctor, therapist/counselor, friend, family member, or a complete stranger online (our forums and chat have plenty of members who understand and share your struggle). Talking to others helps, because it provides you with a different perspective, understanding, emotional support, and, possibly, insight. Mental health professionals might also be able to show you better coping skills, teach you helpful tips on changing your behavioral patterns, and help you explore and resolve the deeper underlying issues that might be causing your eating disorder in the first place. Check out the hotlines and websites below - they might link you to someone helpful in your area. Take good care of yourself - you’re more than your ED, don’t let it ruin your life :)

Links and hotlines for Eating Disorder support:

• Eating Disorders Hotlines: 1-800-931-2237 & 1-888-236-1188
• Food Addiction Hotline: 1-800-872-0088
• National Eating Disorders Association: NEDA's mission is to support those affected by eating disorders and be a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care.
• Something Fishy: A very extensive resource and recovery site for ED..
• ED Referral: "..comprehensive and easiest to search database of anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorder treatment professionals.."
• Rader Programs: 1-800-841-1515 Specializing in all Eating Disorders

"The staff of Rader Programs was the first to document the significant occurrence of both sexual and physical abuse among eating disordered individuals. We have found that over 80 percent of our clients have had some type of abusive experience. The development of an eating disorder, in some instances, can almost be viewed as a survival mechanism to attempt to shield the individual from further harm. For Compulsive Overeaters, they may unconsciously make themselves larger to separate and protect themselves from others. Anorexics may unconsciously make themselves smaller, losing their secondary sexual characteristics (breasts, hips, and buttocks) to avoid a sexual identity, almost achieving a prepubescent state."

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