Emily Allgair, Editor-in-Chief
This week, February 26 through March 3, is Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Being on a college campus, where four out of ten students report having or knowing someone who has an eating disorder, it is important to keep in mind the different triggers, signs and resources for those struggling with eating disorders and disordered eating.
Society itself is fat-phobic, so living in a bigger body can oftentimes be scary. If you find yourself struggling with an eating disorder, disordered eating or even body image, you might find yourself asking "what can I do for myself?" in reference to weight stigma, fat bias and diet culture. I had the opportunity to sit down with Bridget Shertzer, MS, LPC, the Site Director at The Renfrew Center to discuss these issues and how to help build emotional tolerance in the face of these issues.
The "transitional years" of life, such as when someone is going through puberty or moving into college, are often the time when people are at the highest risk of developing an eating disorder, with ages 17 to 23 being the age range at most risk. Although women and girls are often the ones associated with disordered eating, men also experience these issues. They often fly under the radar when struggling with eating disorders, especially college athletes.
As for what to look for in terms of the different signs and triggers, there is no universal experience when it comes to eating disorders and disordered eating. Overall, however, there are certain things that can hint at these issues, whether it be physical, mental or emotional signs. Physically, fluctuating weight (both losing and gaining), struggling with energy levels and sleep hygiene, as well as cardiac issues can hint at issues with eating. Mentally, some signs include issues with body image, hiding food and eating in isolation. Emotionally, depression and anxiety are likely to increase, as well as feeling the need for perfection.
Shertzer described the recovery process of eating disorders as very similar to the five stages of grief: "I've found in my experience that patients go through all five of those stages [denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance] not in a linear way. Much like grief, you're bouncing between them, often."
Like Shertzer said, recovering from an eating disorder is far from linear. While acceptance is often thought of as the ultimate goal in recovery, it might be easier to reach the thought process of "I know what's happening and I can't change it, but how can I continue to live according to my values?"
This year, The Renfrew Center is launching a new campaign to share the mission of Eating Disorder Awareness Week called "In My Empowerment Era." Getting to the heart of eating disorders, In My Empowerment Era respects that every person can go through recovery at a different pace, allowing those who struggle with eating disorders to reflect and celebrate their personal recovery process.
The three areas that Shertzer and the Renfrew Center recommend focusing on during recovery include mindfulness, self-acceptance and empowerment. For everyday mindfulness, try using your five senses; connect with what is around you and let it try to ground where you are mentally. To empower yourself, it is recommended to get involved in things that interest you, especially in spaces that are anti-diet culture, weight culture and fat bias. Social media can be tricky, but it is important to keep in mind that your algorithm is defined by you. Try following body neutral and anti-diet culture accounts, curating content that aligns with who you want to be. Surrounding yourself with the type of messaging that best aligns with your personal beliefs and goals will ultimately help you in your recovery journey.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, don't hesitate to reach out. Here at La Salle University, the Student Counseling Center offers individual counseling, psychiatric consultation, crisis intervention and outreach and referral services. As for The Renfrew Center, there is a weekly national college support group who meet on Tuesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. free of charge. They also offer free assessments where they offer recommendations for what might be helpful for the inquiring individual. The Renfrew Center supports 450 commercial insurances, and tries to move through financial barriers as best they can. For more free content, please visit The Renfrew Center's website.
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