I Want to Help Prevent Eating Disorders

Question:

I am a 15-year-old highschool student and I became very concerned with anorexia nervosa and related disorders when I learned someone very close to me was struggling with this disease two years ago. She has since gotten help and improved noticably but has done permanent damage to herself emotionally and physically. I often wonder if she had known the effects of her actions, would this all have happened. I have noticed among my friends how ignorant most people are. Maybe thourgh education such tragedies as my friend's can be prevented. My question to you is: is there any way I could become involved in an organization that helps others understand the complexity of such diseases.

Answer:

It is awful when a loved one struggles with an eating disorder. I am glad to hear that your friend has improved and that she has a friend like you who can recognize that even when the crisis is over, an eating disorder is usually not "all gone" but often does leave its mark for a long time, sometimes a lifetime.

I applaud your desire to respond to the pain of your friend’s eating disorder by contributing to the prevention of eating disorders. I recommend that you contact a wonderful national organization called Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention (EDAP) for information about volunteer opportunities. EDAP’s mission, as its name states, is "promoting the awareness and prevention of eating disorders by encouraging positive self-esteem and size acceptance." EDAP’s slogan "Don’t Weigh Your Self-Esteem, It’s What’s Inside That Counts" is a valuable reminder to all of us.

EDAP sponsors the annual "Eating Disorders Awareness Week", February 23-28, 1998 next year. During that week and throughout the year local coordinators all over the United States work with schools, medical and mental health professionals and community groups to increase awareness of eating disorders and the cultural values that contribute to tragedies such as your friend suffered. I have learned about an amazing variety of activities that people have developed for Eating Disorders Awareness Week through EDAP. Many times the voice of a person like yourself who has been effected by an eating disorder can be a powerful and moving contribution. I hope you are able to connect with an EDAP coordinator in your area to participate.