Eating Disorder Awareness Week helps those suffering find support and treatment

OMAHA, Neb. (KPTM) — National Eating Disorder Awareness Week encourages the public to learn the signs and symptoms to help those who are suffering find support and treatment, according to a press release from DHHS.

Eating disorders are a mental health issue that affect people's eating habits.

“Eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of their age, gender, or body size,” said Tony Green, Interim Director of The Division of Behavioral Health. “It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of eating disorders and talk to your physician or a health care professional if signs are being observed in yourself, a friend, or a family member.”

There are three commonly diagnosed eating disorders: binge eating, bulimia nervosa, and anorexia nervosa.

Signs and symptoms of an eating disorder include but arenot limited to:

• Extreme restricting of eating
• Strong fear of gainingweight
• Distorted body image
• Self-esteem that is dependent on certain perceptions of body image and weight
• Worn tooth enamel/sensitive or decaying teeth
• Feeling bad, guilty, or ashamed of eating habits
• Dramatic sudden weight gain or loss
• Stomach issues that have no other cause

If you or someone you know, have these symptoms/an eating disorder, contact a health care professional that can put together a plan for treatment including therapy.

Sharing experiences, attending local or virtual events, and using #EDAW or #NEDAwareness on social media can help spread the word about the week.

Visit nationaleatingdisorders.org for more information and some virtual events.

Eating disorders have been documented since ancient times when wealthy Romans would binge at banquets, according to nationaldaycalendar.com.

They would then make themselves vomit, so they could go back to eating and indulging more.

The disorders were not seen as a mental health issue until the 1970s, and the awareness week was not started until the mid-1980s.

The week starts on the last Monday of February.

Need to talk or get immediate help in a crisis? Help is available. If you or a loved one need assistance, please reach out to:

• The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; call, text, or chat 988
• Your faith-based leader, your healthcare professional, or your student health center on campus.
• Nebraska Family Helpline – Any question, any time. (888) 866-8660
• Rural Response Hotline, (800) 464-0258
• Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 (oprime dos para Español) or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522
• National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4AChild (1-800-422-4453) or text 1-800-422-4453
• National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)