Content warning: Disordered eating

Body image and eating disorders are mutually exclusive; one can exist without the other being involved. However, this does not mean they don’t overlap a lot of the time.

It is National Eating Disorders Awareness week, Monday 22^nd February – Sunday 28^th February. During this time, it is likely that you will see more discussion around the reality of eating disorders and recovery stories from those who have one to tell.

This awareness is needed and hearing the positives from others’ recoveries can be hugely helpful in your own experience.

But! As with most mental health issues, it can be tricky to speak out about your problems or seek help if you don’t feel like you ‘count’ in that space. In my introduction to The Resilience of Being, I wrote that I had let fears of not being ‘enough’ result in some self-destructive behaviour. I am asking you to think differently, to not negatively compare yourself to others who have been through similar experiences. Even if you feel like their story or photos show more pain than you have been through, it doesn’t make your story any less valid. You don’t have to compete to be taken seriously.

So, this is your reminder that eating disorders are mental illnesses. You shouldn’t feel like you need to provide extensive physical evidence to prove your struggle.

This means:

• Your body doesn’t need to look a specific way for you to be suffering from an eating disorder.
• Your body doesn’t need to ‘still look the part’ if it has changed in recovery but you are still struggling mentally.
• You don’t need to share the gory, unseen details with onlookers asking for ‘proof’ if you don’t want to.
• You don’t need to sensationalise your suffering to be worthy of support.

Let’s not ration our empathy depending on the perceived and presumed severity of other people’s experiences. As with most things, kindness and understanding will do more good than quieting people who may be taking a chance to speak out for the first time.

If this week is making things more difficult than usual, please do consider reaching out to someone you know. Otherwise, consider the resources on the Support page for further guidance.

---

If you want to read your own copy of The Resilience of Being, you can buy the anthology HERE.