Hard Truths About Eating Disorders

By Mel

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Eating disorders often involve a combination of psychological, biological, and social factors. They're not just about food or weight; they're often intertwined with deep-seated emotional and psychological issues such as low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.

I’ve suffered from Bulimia Nervosa since I was 10 - now turning 26, that’s a lot of years taken away from my life due to this illness. The hard truth is that it becomes a part of you, and it’s hard to part ways with something you’ve relied on for so long.

Another hard truth is that individuals with eating disorders often struggle with social relationships and may withdraw from friends and family due to shame, guilt, or fear of judgment.

This is very true because I find it very hard to go out for family meals or just to have a conversation about food, as it makes me feel uncomfortable or awkward. 

There's still a lot of misunderstanding and stigma surrounding eating disorders, which can prevent individuals from seeking help or receiving proper support. This is why a lot of cases of mental illnesses are unknown due to the lack of support and help out there.

In recent years, the eating disorder has taken some serious physical effects on me, such as:

• Being constantly tired and sleeping for up to 12 hours a day or more.
• My body started to ache in places I wouldn’t normally have pain, e.g. in the chest area, leading to weakening of the heart muscle, then onto irregular heartbeats.
• Always being lightheaded or in a daze. This happens because the body slows down to conserve energy, increasing the risk of fainting, dizziness, and even cardiac arrest.
• The bloating feeling, which I hate the most, is due to my slowed digestion from starvation or purging.
• Tooth problems from stomach acid when purging, which wears down enamel, leading to cavities and tooth loss.
• Memory loss is a huge deal-breaker for me as I forget important things I need to do, like appointments or what I did yesterday. This is quite a recent symptom. 
• Being diagnosed with other mental illnesses, e.g. EUPD (Emotional Unstable Personality Disorder) has led to getting irritable very easily due to hormonal imbalances.
• Feeling constantly cold, even in summer, as a result of my decreased metabolism.
• Poor circulation and malnutrition result in dull, lifeless skin. I suffer from acne a lot, and that makes me feel very low and unconfident in myself. 

To manage these symptoms, I’m taking the time I need to rest as that’s best for my body and not ignoring when my body needs to sleep. I try to have regular checkups with the doctor and have my blood taken at least every month. With the tooth problems, I always use mouthwash to help slow the process down but to also clean out the food in my gums and teeth. 
Memory loss affects me the most, so I tend to write in my journal every day about what has happened so I can look back on it and remind myself. Also, a good tool to use if you have these problems is a to do list or schedule. 

Those are just some of the side effects and dark truths about how severe an eating disorder can get without any help. If you are looking for help then please visit the websites below or call the helplines provided!

Beat
0808 801 0677 (England)
0808 801 0433 (Wales)
Website: beateatingdisorders.org.uk

Overeaters Anonymous Great Britain
Website: oagb.org.uk

Samaritans
116 123 (freephone)
Website: https://www.samaritans.org/

Talk ED
talk-ed.org.uk

National Alliance for Eating Disorders Hotline
Phone: 1-866-662-1235
Website: https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/​