Approximately 30 million Americans are affected by an eating disorder. The National Eating Disorder Awareness Week signals that people should pay attention to the effects of this disease and the recovery treatment available in Maine which brought hope for most of the patients. Sara Porter, a License Clinical Social Worker at Acadia Hospital, stated on February 28 that many communities offer help for those who suffer from an eating disorder.
- Researchers claim that about 30 million Americans are struggling to overcome eating disorders.
- Some people may think that this is not a real illness, but it actually affects more individuals than expected.
- The condition affects both men and women.
Porter takes care of adults and teenagers who are struggling to fight eating disorders every day. She also noted that this type of condition does affect not only women but also men. She witnessed the recovery of many patients. However, she stressed the fact that the process is long and tough. Catie Colby is one of the patients who overcame the disease.
Catie claimed that she was dying and at the same time she was striving to obtain insurance to get her the necessary help to combat the terrible condition. Back in 2015, News Center got in touch with Catie Colby. Now, Catie finished the treatment, finally recovering from her eating disorder. She is in a better place now, and she even got a therapy dog named Goblin.
The dog offered her the confidence and strength that she needed. She pointed out that before she got the dog, she was unable to go to the grocery store by herself. Now, she is a different person, and she finds a friend in her dog which accompanies her everywhere. Nevertheless, Catie argued that the process is ongoing even if she underwent the treatment.
She cannot stop here. For her, the eating disorder was triggered by years of abuse. For Catie, not eating meant that she was in control of her fate. This was her way of coping with the drama she has been through. Today she continues the therapy, hoping that others may realize how hard it must have been for her to face all those challenges.
People should understand that this is a real condition which could affect anyone. There are some who believe that this not a disease and that everyone can control their eating habits without the need of therapy and treatment, claiming that everything depends on their will. Some signs which indicate this illness are: lying about eating or avoiding eating, severe weight loss, going to the restroom after eating.
Image source: flickr
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