To further spread awareness and understanding for individuals struggling with eating disorders, during Eating Disorder Awareness Month in February people learn to seek and accept help while cutting off negative influences.
According to Recovered and Restored clinical director Gabrielle Morreale, the more individuals can openly express and communicate about eating disorders, the more it can prevent symptoms from worsening.
“The more we speak openly and compassionately, the less shame thrives,” Morreale said. “Awareness leads to earlier intervention, funding for research and better training for providers. Silence perpetuates suffering.”
For The Eating Disorder Center founder Jennifer Rollin, recognition of the condition is detrimental to allowing others to reach out for help.
“[Representation] is important because there’s still a lot of shame and stigma around struggling with an eating disorder and being open about it,” Rollin said.
Dietician Megan Luybli feels that equal portrayal of all body types is essential for allowing individuals to feel they are not alone in their struggles.
“You can have an eating disorder at any body size,” Luybli said. “Having representation and allowing our clients to see there are people that look like you that are suffering, and you’re not alone in this, is massive.”
According to Rollin, in order to shift attitudes surrounding eating disorders, it is vital for people to accept marginalized groups.
“There’s still a pervasive myth in the media that everyone with an eating disorder is a emaciated young Caucasian female,” Rollin said. “People who don’t see themselves within that box, such as men, people of all genders, BIPOC individuals, think they couldn’t possibly have an eating disorder because they don’t meet that stereotype in the media.”
According to Morreale, social media can provide positive environments for individuals recovering from eating disorders.
“When worth becomes tied to appearance or productivity, disordered eating can emerge as a maladaptive coping strategy,” Morreale said. “Social media can also foster recovery communities and help with recovery when used intentionally.”
Licensed professional counselor Melissa Harrison feels social media has benefits but also major drawbacks.
“Social media can act as an accelerant. It amplifies comparison, normalizes disordered behaviors and reinforces the idea that bodies are projects to fix,” Harrison said. “Social media has also increased awareness and reduced isolation. It’s complicated and not entirely negative.”
According to Luybli, connection with others is required in order to recover.
“Continuing to do the work, go[ing] to support groups, there are a ton of podcasts that you can listen to,” Luybli said. “Eating disorders thrive in silence; they don’t want to be seen, because if they’re seen, then you have to talk about it, and things change.”
According to Morreale, self-compassion is based on positive decisions and choices in everyday life.
“Self-acceptance is built through repeated compassionate choices, not affirmations alone,” Morreale said. “You do not have to hit ‘rock bottom’ to deserve help. You are worthy of nourishment, rest, joy and peace exactly as you are.”
Rollin feels that treating yourself and your body with kindness is a large step in recovery.
“Working to challenge behaviors that aren’t in alignment with your values, and trying to behaviorally find ways to treat yourself with compassion,” Rollin said.
For Harrison, she feels that those in recovery have to overcome an extensive barrier of stigma.
“Stop equating health with weight, and stop praising weight loss reflexively,” Harrison said. “Make it clear that eating disorders are not choices. Stigma decreases when we move from moral judgment to psychological understanding.”
According to Rollin, schools exposing the danger of eating disorders have positive effects.
“Schools and health classes can talk about concepts like body respect, body compassion and talk about the harms of diet culture,” Rollin said.
For Harrison, there are major misconceptions about creating healthy environments.
“Prevention is not about telling kids to ‘love their bodies.’ It’s about creating environments that don’t constantly threaten them and make them think of their bodies,” Harrison said.
Morreale said that she is constantly inspired by her clients.
“I witness extraordinary bravery every day, and being trusted with an individuals recovery is sacred work,” Morreale said.