National Eating Disorder Awareness Week starts today. Eating disorders can affect people of every age, sex, gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic group. National surveys estimate that 20 million women and 10 million men in America will have an eating disorder at some point in their lives.

The National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) states that the scope and severity of eating disorders are often misunderstood. Eating disorders are serious illnesses, not lifestyle choices. In fact, anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. In a national survey, four out of ten people reported that they either suffered or have known someone who has suffered from an eating disorder.

We would like to share several resources about eating disorders with you:

Please read our previous blog:
Teen Eating Disorders: Prevention, Signs, and Tips for Moving Forward

Please read NEDA’s answers to frequently asked questions:
NEDA FAQs

NEDA offers a short, online screening tool for eating disorders:
NEDA Eating Disorder Screening Tool

NEDA also offers a tool for finding treatment and/or support groups in your local area:
NEDA Treatment Database

NEDA provides a toll-free, confidential helpline:
1-800-931-2237
Hours are Monday – Thursday from 9:00 am – 9:00 pm and Friday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (EST)

Final thoughts…

People struggling with an eating disorder need to seek professional help. Eating disorders are complex illnesses that cannot just be addressed by the parent or by more “willpower” from the teen. The earlier a person with an eating disorder seeks treatment, the greater the likelihood of physical and emotional recovery.