Featured In: The Coalville Times, Friday, 24th February 2023

HEALTH MATTERS WITH DR Hanna Robbins

Eating Disorder Awareness Week

EATING disorders are mental illnesses that can affect anyone of any age, gender, or background. People with eating disorders use eating behaviour to cope with difficult situations and feelings. It might mean limiting the food they eat, bingeing, and other behaviours linked to eating and food. They are not a choice, they are illnesses, and cause a lot of distress. They need specialist treatment, and people can and do get better.

Spotting the signs and getting help early really makes a difference, and your first call should be your GP Surgery.

Myths

• Someone must be very thin to have an eating disorder. FACT: most people with an eating disorder are a normal weight or overweight.
• Eating disorders only affect teenage girls. FACT: anyone can be affected
• Eating disorders are a diet gone wrong. FACT: Although dieting can be a trigger, an eating disorder is much more, it is a serious mental health problem
• People can’t recover. FACT:: full recovery is possible, with the right help and support

THE INTERNET

There is a lot of pro-eating disorder content online. This promotes the harmful be- haviour and mindset that happens with eating disorders. This is dangerous for peo- ple who may be at risk of developing an eating disorder, or those who are ill. It can stir up negative feelings and push people into setting unhealthy goals and rules for them- selves. This can lead to the illness becoming more ingrained and harder to break away from. People suffering from eating disorders may be drawn to it because it feels like a space where they are understood. Instead, it is much better to use the ‘Beat’ support groups, Twitter and Insta, which offer a safe alternative where you will be understood – links below:

Online Support Groups

Online support groups Beat www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk