Eating disorder awareness, education and advocacy are all causes that are of tremendous importance to me. I struggled with a combination of different eating disorders when I was 16 and wasn’t able to really get a handle on my condition until I was just about 18 – I’m in a significantly better place now, mentally and physically in terms of my body, but I refrain from saying I have fully recovered from my eating disorder because, no insensitivity intended, that shit stays with you.
I wasn’t familiar with NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association) until several years after my eating disorder was at its worst, although I truly wish I had known about it when I was in the thick of it. It is a phenomenal organization intended to support and assist individuals dealing with eating disorders as well as their friends, family and loved ones, and I applaud everything NEDA stands for and represents.
The following is an excerpt from the NEDA website:
“The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. NEDA supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders, and serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care.”
I highly encourage you to check out the NEDA website, regardless of whether eating disorders are relevant to you or someone in your life. It offers a multitude of resources to educate anyone who wishes to learn more about this type of mental illness, and there are low-cost and free support options for anyone who may need them, which I think is wonderful.
It is easy to think of eating disorders as being rare, or uncommon, but their prevalence has risen among people significantly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This form of mental illness is one that needs more recognition and attention in order to gain progress in treatment and prevention.
Image from https://www.mghclaycenter.org/assets/NEDA-logo.png
ontheedgeofeverything 
