Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW)

Hello Dolls! Today's post is a little off-topic and not very cosmetics related (oops!) but it is something that is very close to my heart.

As some of you may know, last week was Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Eating disorders (be it Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating, or EDNOS) are something that are rarely spoken about, and widely misunderstood. There's a certain stigma that comes with saying 'I have an eating disorder.' So the idea of EDAW is to raise awareness, and wipe out stigma. 

So, what is an eating disorder? 

An eating disorder is a mental illness and can affect anybody. No, it is not a 'rich little white girl' disease. Male, female, black, white, fat, thin, whatever. Anyone can suffer. A common misconception is that you have to be thin to have an eating disorder. Rubbish. 'Anorexia Nervosa' is the name of a mental illness. Not a weight range. 

Eating disorders affect not only the sufferer, but also everyone close around them. It takes a strong bond between a mother and daughter, girlfriend and boyfriend, son and father to fight the eating disorder. But it is possible. And for those who suffer in silence, thinking 'Why me? What have I done?', know that you are not suffering alone. The NHS suggests that 1.6 million people in the UK alone suffer from an eating disorder. And that's just those that have spoken out about it. 

So, as a sufferer, 'what can I do?' . It's not just the doctor you can speak to about eating disorders. There are many helplines, websites and forums that give more detailed explanations and guidance for those that suffer. At least a little more than you might find on The Make - up Manual. 

As a friend, family member or loved one, all you can do is support them. Under no circumstances should you force them to eat, comment on body image or try to play psychologist with them. You are their loved one, leave it at that. All you can do is hold their hand throughout the good times and especially the dark times, and promise them that there is hope. 

Eating disorders are a nasty, evil set of diseases that will try and take over the vulnerable. But it is possible to fight. Keep fighting, dolls.  

Mwah x

twitter: @makeupmanual

Helplines and useful webpages:

B-eat: 0845 634 7650 (http://www.b-eat.co.uk/)

NHS: (http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Eating-disorders/Pages/Introduction.aspx)

NEDA: 1-800-931-2237 (USA) (http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/)

ChildLine: 0800 1111 (https://www.childline.org.uk/explore/mentalhealth/pages/eating-problems.aspx)