This week is Eating Disorders Awareness Week!
Eating Disorders Awareness Week takes place across Canada from February 1st to 7th every year. During this week, eating disorders groups throughout Canada raise awareness about how eating disorders impact people’s lives. Moreover, these groups also teach the public about supports that help people who have eating disorders to live full lives.
Eating Disorders Awareness Week
What are eating disorders?
Eating disorders are mental health conditions. Like other mental health conditions, eating disorders are medical conditions that can affect many different aspects of a person, such as:
- Thought processes
- Emotions
- Moods
- Behaviours
- Sense of self
- Capacity to connect with others
- Ability to cope with stress
People who have eating disorders focus intensely on food, weight, or body image. This profound concern lessens people’s abilities to focus on other parts of their lives.
Who do eating disorders affect?
Some people may believe that eating disorders only affect young women. However, this belief is false. In fact, eating disorders affect people of all:
- Genders
- Ages
- Sexual orientations
- Abilities
- Races
- Ethnic backgrounds
- Economic status
Moreover, there are different kinds of eating disorders. Furthermore, people experience eating disorders differently. For instance, some people experience periods of illness between times when they are feeling their best. In contrast, other people’s states of mental health are unchanging. In addition, some people experience eating disorders in response to triggers. For example, a person may develop an eating disorder after an upsetting life event. However, other people may have eating disorders without experiencing such an event.
Support for People who have Eating Disorders
Organizations around the country offer programs to support people who have eating disorders and their loved ones. Programs, workshops, support groups, and resources help people build confidence and connect with others in their communities. Some of these organizations are local, while others are provincial or national.
Eating Disorders Awareness Week is a chance to help the public learn the truth about what eating disorders are. In addition, the week spreads awareness about how people with eating disorders can support each other and be involved in their communities. Happy Eating Disorders Awareness Week to all our readers!