THE POWER OF OKAY
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E A T I N G

D I S O R D E R S

According the National Eating Disorders Association, 30 million Americans will have an eating disorder in their lives.

Warning Signs/SYMPTOMS ⚠︎︎

Symptoms of eating disorders can be different for every person. Below are some potential signs.
  • ​Obsession with food, weight, and/or body shape
  • Excessive exercise 
  • Muscle weakness
  • Stomach cramps or constipation 
  • Difficult to concentrate
  • Dizziness/fainting
  • Irregular body temperature (too cold or too hot)
  • Irregular sleep pattern
  • Cuts across the top of finger joints 
  • Vomiting food after meals
  • Binge-eating 
  • Excessive weight loss or gain
  • Fearful of gaining weight
  • Distorted body image
  • Mood swings
  • Social isolation
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Risk Factors

Some may be at higher risk of having an eating disorder if they have experienced any of the following:
  • Having a family member with an eating disorder
  • Trauma/abuse
  • Family/cultural influence
  • High stress levels 
  • Having another mental illness (like OCD)
  • Bullying/body shaming

​How to Help

  • Immediate danger: Call 911
  • If you know someone with an eating disorder:
    • Educate yourself on the types: Anorexia nervosa (fear of being overweight), Pica (eating non-nutritive items) Bulimia nervosa (binging then purging of the food), Binge eating (repeatedly having short periods of eating large amounts of food), Rumination (regurgitation of food after meals), & more.
    • Remind them of why their goal is getting better.
    • Understand what they are going through is difficult & be there to support them.
    • Encourage them to seek treatment from a professional (both mental & physical treatment)
    • Be patient with them.
    • Offer to listen.
    • Don't say things like, "Just stop/start eating normal!" 
  • If you have an eating disorder:
    • Remind yourself how strong you are & that your illness does not make you weak.
    • Seek treatment from a doctor/therapist. 
    • Reach out for support.
    • Listen to your feelings & body.
    • Learn to love & accept yourself. 
    • Tell friends/family what you need. 
    • Remind yourself that healing takes time.
    • Join a support group (ask your doctor for a referral).
    • Cope with emotional pain in more positive ways like talking to a friend, going on a walk, and other activities that make you happy.
    • Learn to create balance in many aspects of life.
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Help Resources

  • National Eating Disorders Association: ​ CLICK HERE​
  • Help Guide: CLICK HERE​
  • Teen Line Message board: CLICK HERE
  • Georgia Behavioral Health Professionals: CLICK HERE
  • Call (800) 931 2237 (Mon-Thurs 9am - 9pm & Fri 9am - 5pm EST)
  • Text NEDA to 741 74​​
  • Teen Line (12-19):  (310) 855 4673 OR Text TEEN to 839863
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264
  • CDC Division of Mental Health: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
  • ​The Real Depression Project Instagram: @realdepressionproject

More about Eating Disorders

  • Medline Plus: medlineplus.gov
  • National Institute of Mental Health: nimh.nih.gov
  • Mayo Clinic: mayoclinic.org
  • John Hopkins Medicine: hopkinsmedicine.org
  • American Psychiatric Association: psychiatry.org
  • Help Guide: helpguide.org
  • National Eating Disorders Association: nationaleatingdisorders.org
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  • Home
  • PositiviTEA
    • From the Experts
    • De-stress Zone
    • Book Club
  • Be Aware
    • Suicide >
      • Suicide Awareness Lesson Plan
    • Anxiety
    • MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER
    • Eating Disorders
    • PTSD
    • Sexual Abuse
    • OCD
    • Substance Abuse
    • Bipolar Disorder
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Volunteer >
      • Operation Positivity
  • Post-It of Positivity