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April 05, 2005
Letter to the Editor: Awareness of secrecy surrounding eating disorders necessary for seeking treatment
In response to the an article printed on March 15 regarding Eating Disorders Awareness Week, I would like to take the opportunity to explain my thoughts on Eating Disorders Awareness Week and the events that took place on the Hamline campus.
Many are aware of the facts surrounding eating disorders, yet few seem willing to honestly address the severity and the prevalence of eating disorders atHamline and in society.
After many discussions with members of the Women’s Resource Center, the Counseling and Health
Services staff, and a great deal of introspection, I decided to approach this sensitive subject in a straightforward and educated manner.
After a week of events aimed at raising awareness and providing support to all people who are affected by eating disorders, I was pleased with the number of compliments I received regarding each event. Despite my best efforts and very sincere motivations, I realized from the beginning that the subject of eating disorders would disturb some individuals, and therefore I had no intentions of pleasing everyone. I fully understand that eating disorders are dangerous medical conditions, I also understand that eating disorders thrive on secrecy. I believe that eating disorders are just as serious as any other illness and should be treated as a separate entity from the patient. Eating disorders are very complex, and often the disorder can creep into a person’s life and threaten it in a matter of months.
That being said, I firmly believe that eating disorders need to be addressed openly and honestly. Whether or not people like to admit it, eating disorders affect not only the patient but everyone in the patient’s life.
My goals during Eating Disorders Awareness Week were to educate friends and family members on how to help someone with an eating disorder, how to approach them, and how to stop ignoring the obvious issue. Any expert in the field of eating disorders would agree that support is a vital part of recovering from an eating disorder. The person struggling with the disorder is sick, they are in obvious pain, thus it is the
responsibility of the healthier person (friend, family member) to acknowledge that there is a problem and encourage the sufferer to seek help.
My personal crusade for the last few years has been to make others understand that a social problem requires a social solution.
Not acknowledging your friend’s eating disorder is allowing it to continue, even if the person does not want help. Recognizing the problem will show them that someone cares enough to acknowledge an uncomfortable subject.
The letter written about me in the last edition of the Oracle was unfortunately poorly researched. Those who attended the events of Eating Disorders Awareness Week know that I, like so many, battled an eating disorder. My eating disorder almost cost me my life, and I mean that literally.
I completely understand that eating disorders are a source of sorrow and shame, and I understand that some people did not appreciate my strategies for raising awareness of eating disorders on campus.
However, I take personal offense to the accusation that I am insensitive about eating disorders, when it is a topic that I am well educated on and very passionate about.
I am proud of my recovery and I am very proud of my effort to raise awareness about eating disorders. I encourage everyone to find a cause they are passionate about and make change.
Molly Regan
Eating Disorders Awareness Week Coordinator
CLA Junior
Posted by msveum at April 5, 2005 09:14 PM
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