This year’s Eating Disorders Awareness Week starts today. Leading eating disorders charity, BEAT, has chosen ‘community’ as the theme for this important week. As eating disorders can be incredibly isolating, I believe this is a really valuable focus.
The isolation of eating disorders
Eating disorders usually start and continue to thrive in secrecy. People with eating issues typically battle with their condition in a secret world characterised by shame and low self-worth. The isolation is two-fold – internal and external. Internally, people with eating issues are often disconnected from themselves. Food may be their coping mechanism, but they are often disconnected from the root causes of why they are struggling. Externally, individuals withdraw from the people around them. They can be unable to express what they are going through and avoid situations which might exacerbate their issues.
Community’s role in recovery
Eating disorders and eating issues more generally are serious, complex conditions which can benefit from professional support from medical teams, GP practices, and counselling therapists who have specialist experience and understanding.
Eating disorders are confusing for both the sufferer and the family and friends around them. Professional support can be helpful for everyone, building understanding to help overcome secrecy and move forwards towards recovery.
In addition to support from trusted friends and family, peer support and shared experience from people with lived experience of eating disorders can be really beneficial. I was lucky to have peer support when I was experiencing an eating disorder and found it so helpful to know I wasn’t the only one feeling as I did. I have also volunteered as a befriender for the eating disorder charity, FirstStepsED, providing weekly support via email and telephone to people with eating disorders. All of these channels of community can help an individual know they are not alone in their eating disorder. They can help break down some of the isolation caused by secrecy and shame, and help them start to understand the benefit of having a kinder relationship with themselves.
Your relationship with yourself as the starting point
Being your own best friend is particularly powerful – and challenging – for someone suffering with an eating disorder. Building self-kindness may be a gradual process, but it’s a crucial foundation, not just for opening yourself up to the community around you, but as a key pillar in recovery. It’s fundamental to building self-esteem, reducing self-criticism and perfectionism, nourishing your relationship with food and your body, and acknowledging the root causes that sit behind it all.
You can find out more about Eating Disorder Awareness Week and download resources on the BEAT website.
BEAT are running a workshop this Thursday afternoon about how social media impacts eating disorders and staying safe online. Unfortunately, I‘m unable to attend live but will be watching the recording and sharing some insights here afterwards.
If you or someone you know needs immediate support with an eating disorder, BEAT’s helpline offers confidential help. Helpline number: 0808 801 0677
For longer term therapeutic support, counselling can be a valuable part of recovery. Feel free to get in touch if you’d like to explore working together.
