“Everybody Knows Somebody”
I’ve been posting resources, articles, and statistics all week on my Facebook and Twitter pages in an effort to raise awareness, provide hope, and point people in the direction of help for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. This cause is close to my heart, personally and professionally. I struggled with an eating disorder for many years and this March will mark eleven years of full recovery. After receiving treatment from a team of professionals and overcoming my personal struggle, I committed to learning everything I could about helping people overcome these devastating and deadly disorders. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and began my journey specializing in helping people who struggle with Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, and EDNOS as a therapist in private practice.
Are Eating Disorders Serious?
Eating disorders are serious, life-threatening illnesses that affect millions of people in the U.S. each year. According to ANAD, up to 24 million people suffer from an eating disorder in the United States. Eating disorders do not discriminate and affect people of every race, gender, age, and socioeconomic group. It’s important to know that eating disorders are not a choice nor are they “just a phase;” in fact, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental health disorder. If you think you or someone you know may have an eating disorder, talk to someone you trust and seek out professional help.
There Is Hope
Recovery from an eating disorder is possible and there are numerous local and national resources available. Eating disorders thrive in secrecy and isolation, so the first step towards recovery is to break the silence and reach out for help. Talk to someone you trust – it may be a friend, parent, sibling, school counselor, teacher, coach, minister – and seek out professional support from people who have experience and knowledge of treating eating disorders.
Finding Help
Knowing where to start when looking for help for an eating disorder can be daunting. Below is a list of just some of the available local and national resources broken down by what kind of support is offered:
Local Support Center offering Free Support Groups: The Eating Disorder Foundation
Therapist Directories: EDF Treatment Directory, Psychology Today, Network Therapy
Eating Disorder Treatment Centers in Denver: Eating Disorder Center of Denver, Eating Recovery Center, Children’s Hospital
National Websites offering Information, Resources, and Support: National Eating Disorders Association, National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Other Disorders, Multiservice Eating Disorders Association, Binge Eating Disorder Association
I offer individual, couples, and group therapy services in the Denver Metro area and specialize in eating disorders and disordered eating, body image, depression, anxiety, and personal growth. If you are looking for support, I offer a free initial consultation and would be happy to discuss how I can help you. Please contact me at catherine@embracestrengthcounseling.com or 303.720.9424 with any questions or to schedule an appointment. For more information about me and my services, visit my website.
Photo images courtesy of www.nedawareness.org