To all the bulimics and anorexics out there…I’m SORRY. I’m sorry that you don’t love yourself. I’m sorry that somewhere in your genes or through society you have deemed yourself unworthy of love and health. The fact is that you ARE loved and we’re all sad to see you so unhealthy.
Some time in the last few years I started to count on my hands just how many people in my life that struggle with eating disorders and sadly I can count A LOT. It is estimated that 70 million individuals worldwide have an eating disorder. My friends probably don’t know that I’m aware of their struggles but the signs are there. It all started with my college roommate. She was a gorgeous girl with an athletic build. Her mom somehow did not like her build and bribed her with a new wardrobe if she could lose 20 pounds. In the end, my friend got her new wardrobe and threw up daily in the bathroom to get it.
I have other friends that disappear the minute after eating a meal and spend longer than necessary in the bathroom. A few of my friends have shared their struggles with me and have told me of their usage of laxatives and the struggle against self loathing.
The truly scary thing about eating disorders is that they start at such a young age. 95% of those who have eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25. 50% of girls between the ages of 11 and 13 see themselves as overweight. We as a worldwide society need to consider these young girls and work diligently to change the message they are receiving about their bodies.
It’s sad enough that these people have lost their way, but there are websites out there that hunt for such people and egg them on towards a path of self destruction and possibly death. The terms “Mia” (short for Bulimia) and “Ana” (Anorexia) are synonymous with these websites. They consider “Mia” and “Ana” as their friends.
Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. A study by the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders reported that 5 – 10% of anorexics die within 10 years after contracting the disease; 18-20% of anorexics will be dead after 20 years and only 30 – 40% ever fully recover.
Anorexia and Bulimia are disorders. They are not friends. If you cherish your friends, then it’s your duty to help them love themselves, and show them that health is invaluable. To all you beautiful people out there with eating disorders…PLEASE…ask for help! We want to help you….because you’re worth it! And to all our daughters…you are BEAUTIFUL just the way you are!
If you have an eating disorder or know someone that does and would like to talk to a support network, please contact the numbers below.
0845 634 1414 (Europe)
1-858-481-1515 (US)
(statistics via: ndsu.edu and state.sc.us)
Keep smiling!
Julie
