What is ED

Today marks the start of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2017. Being that I have struggled myself with one of these deadly illnesses, this week is very important to me. But I believe that this week is not just important to those of us who have been fighting the disorder. I believe that everyone should be educated on the symptoms and causes of these diseases, along with ways to assist those who are struggling.

In today's society weight, shape and food are talked about non stop. Billboards of models and advertisements for the latest diets flood the media. With this societal obsession with the body, no wonder so many Americans have eating disorders or disordered eating.

Instead of detailing what an eating disorder is and telling you all the information, I urge all of you too go to NEDA's website (https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/) and learn more for yourself. And don't forget to do the free screening or encourage a loved one to get screened.

To conclude today's post I will leave you with a poem I wrote while in treatment December 2016:

What is ED

“What is ED?” he asks.
She says “a suffix, a suffix meaning something occurred in the past.”
This occurred in the past.
“What is ED?” he asks.
She says “an abbreviation for an eating disorder, the voices in my head.”
This occurred five years ago.
“What is ED?” he asks.
She says “why I don’t eat lunch and fear the doctor”
This occurred four years ago.
“What is ED?” he asks.
She says “the reason why I had to miss out on so much life.”
This occurred three years ago.
“What is ED?” he asks.
She says “an old problem in the past.”
This occurred two years ago.
“What is ED?” he asks.
She says “my chance to become stronger, my outlet to near death.”
This occurred one year ago.
“What is ED?” he asks.
She says “sitting in groups while a tube in my nose pushes food into my stomach.”
This is occurring.
“What is ED?” he asks.
She says “I can’t answer, for I don’t know when I can call ED, a thing of the past.”