Things Young People Should Know
Eating disorders affect people of all ages, genders, races, and social backgrounds. In fact, over seven million women and one million men in the United States alone suffer from eating disorders. The prevalence of eating disorders has significantly increased in males, children and younger adolescents, and minorities in recent years.
Eating disorders create serious problems in every area of life. Eating disorders are destructive physically, emotionally, socially, financially, and intellectually, and can ultimately cause death. Early recognition and treatment improve the chance for a full recovery.
Eating disorders often develop after an attempt to lose weight by dieting gets "out of control." Diets are a bad idea, the best way to achieve your ideal body weight is to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise moderately, and respect your body’s needs.
Eating disorders serve a purpose in a person’s life. Although these illnesses are life-threatening, the eating disorder is often used as a coping mechanism, or a way to feel "in control" when life feels unmanageable.
Unfortunately, as with most addictive behaviors, "the solution" becomes the problem, and the eating disorder eventually makes life out of control.
Full recovery from an eating disorder is possible. Treatment in a safe, supportive environment can provide skills and insights that enable you to challenge distorted beliefs, change harmful behaviors, and work on underlying issues that maintain the eating disorder.