This week, February 21-27, is dedicated to raising awareness of all eating disorders.  I wish I had something deep and meaningful prepared for this; it’s a topic close to my heart and soul.  But I’m not sure that I could properly approach it in one post, anyway.  Instead, I’m going to do a special edition roundup and send you all over the net to learn about eating disorders, their descriptions, support for sufferers and their friends, and how to move forward through love.

Education:  Learn about the different kinds of disorders

• The US Department of Health and Human Services’ official disease profiles for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.
• The DSM-IV psychological criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.
• Gender-specific information on eating disorders in men and boys and in women and girls.
• Understanding Statistics on Eating Disorders:  Facts and figures, as well as links to further information, gathered from peer-reviewed sources.

Support:  Where and how to seek treatment, help for the troubled and their loved ones

Find Treatment

• ANAD: Get Help: Find Treatment
• NEDIC: Resource Library

General Information

• Eating Disorder Toolkit:  Information for families to help obtain insurance coverage for treatment
• Eating Disorders Videos:  Short informational films for parents and loved ones of eating disordered children
• Family-based Treatment of Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa: The Maudsley Approach:  A formal paper regarding a home-based recovery method for teens.
• Giving Up An Eating Disorder: What Else Might You Be Giving Up?:  A formal paper delving into the psychological “positives” that make it so hard to leave the disorder behind.
• NEDIC: Help for Friends & Family:  A great primer for those who know and care about someone who may be suffering from an eating disorder, including tips for starting the conversation.
• Parent Toolkit:  Resources for families and friends who want to help and support sufferers

Love:  Sources for healing through inspiration

• Adios Barbie:  A huge body-lovin’ site dedicated to encouraging celebration of what you’ve got and helping you learn to combat negative outside messages.
• The Body Image Project:  Dozens of video stories about how people have learned and are learning to love their bodies.  There is also a fantastic blog in the /read section.
• The Fat Nutritionist:  Michelle uses an up-front and no-nonsense approach to teach us how to reevaluate our relationship with food.
• Health at Every Size:  This movement is sweeping the nation, and rightfully so.  Teaching self-acceptance and healthy living regardless of size.
• Stories of Hope:  Read inspiring tales from people who have faced and conquered their eating disorder.
• We Are the Real Deal:  This group body image activists covers everything from exposing negative media messages to self-love to ways to get and stay healthy.

• Extra Credit – The Body Sacred by Dianne Sylvan:  This book approaches body- and self-love through a Pagan spiritual lens without being preachy or reliant on the “form” of religion.  Sylvan discusses nine different aspects of feminine deity and ties them to our bodies by vividly illustrating why we need each of them.  There’s even recommended reading, music, and videos at the end of every chapter.  I re-read this every year and swear by her message.

The take-home message here is to remember that these disorders are diseases.  They aren’t lifestyle choices; they aren’t healthy.  They kill.  If you have an eating disorder, please, for you and everyone you love, get some help.  If you think that you might have an eating disorder, talk with your doctor or someone you feel comfortable with.  If you know or think you know someone who has one of these disorders, the best thing you can do is love them.

We have the power to start healing.  Talk about the problem, get help, learn to move forward.  Love.

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