Whether you’re struggling with eating disorder issues, mental health challenges, or both, interacting with people who have shared similar experiences offers a powerful connection. Acceptance. A sense that you’re working together toward a common goal. Plus, if you’re awake in the middle of the night and could use someone to talk to, you’ve got someone close by who may be able to lend an ear.
We’ve all probably heard someone being called a “sponsor” when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction recovery, but what exactly is a sponsor in recovery, and how can he or she help? By taking a closer look, we can learn just how important, if not essential, a sponsor can be in you or your loved one’s journey to wellness.
Eating disorders affect nearly 5 million Americans every year, according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM). There are multiple categories of eating disorders, but an eating disorder (ED) is generally defined as “a disruption in the eating behavior with excessive concern about body weight that impairs physical health or psychosocial functioning.”
Consequently, someone struggling with an ED may exhibit physical symptoms such as dramatic weight loss, chapped lips, gray skin, hair loss, and dental erosions. But what about those symptoms that aren’t visible to the naked eye?
Eating disorders exist on a wide spectrum, with each of them deserving an equal amount of attention and care. Below are some “other” EDs that may be affecting you or someone you care about. Learning how to identify and get proper treatment for them could be lifesaving.
We all remember the familiar adage from childhood: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. As it turns out, words can and do hurt, especially when vicious comments made about your body turn personal — really personal — and are posted in public forums.