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From famous entertainers to the average person on the street, eating disorders are the silent battle that many people fight alone. Recently, pop stars like Demi Lovato and Kesha have both disclosed their struggles with eating disorders. Lovato told Insider that she is open about the challenges she faces with weight control and maintaining a positive body image. In a recent article in Cosmopolitan, Kesha shared a similar story but spoke of her success with overcoming body issues. However, there are numerous other people who do not have the spotlight of a pop star to share their pain and triumphs. They are not as well-known, but their everyday struggles with eating disorders are just as real.
Currently, there are over 30 million people who suffer from some type of eating disorder. There are still stigmas around mental illness, and this is true for eating disorders. Whether in Michigan, Iowa, or Ohio; the stories are very similar. These are stories of individuals confronting the pain of this affliction. In a story from Michigan, one woman reflects back on high school and remembers feeling proud that she “hadn’t eaten anything that day.” Eventually, she realized that something had to change. A mother in Iowa shares a similar story about her battles with and recovering from anorexia. “Eating disorders are a lot about control, and there was a lot in my life that was out of control. This was something I could control. And I grew up feeling like I wasn’t good enough or really worthy.”
In Ohio, an anorexia survivor has even created a short film that documents the doubt and isolation that is part of this mental illness. In this instance, the individual who has struggled with anorexia is a male, even though the disease is mistakenly thought of as a women’s disorder. He remembers thinking that “I could never tell people what I was going through because they never would believe me, or maybe it wasn’t even real.” His short film is intended to raise awareness and remind people that they are not alone and help is available. Recovery is possible. On a side note, males make up about 25 percent of eating disorder diagnoses.
Across the nation, eating disorders plague a wide variety of people. Yet, treatment options are available that can bring hope to those who are suffering in silence. For additional information, or if you have questions about eating disorders and recovery solutions, please contact the staff at Toledo Center (RCC). With decades of experience, their Eating Disorders Programs provide a full range of treatment options for adolescents and adults with a primary diagnosis of an eating disorder. The levels of care provided at the RCC are designed to meet the needs of most patients with eating disorders, but it is important to note that treatment is individualized for each case. We follow a well-established therapy model for treating eating disorders that integrates individual, group, and family therapy. The Toledo Center is located in a modern, spacious and tranquil setting in Sylvania, Ohio.
Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26)
The EAT-26 is the most widely cited standardized self-report screening measure that may be able to help you determine if you have an eating disorder that needs professional attention. Take the EAT-26 now and get immediate and anonymous feedback.
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