Today’s letter brings up a common misconception about those who seek treatment for eating disorders:

“I must be dangerously thin in order to ask for and receive help for my disorder”

This notion that one must be emaciated in order to “officially” have an eating disorder, or that they must be in a very unhealthy condition in order to receive treatment is false.   Just as every person is unique, so too is every eating disorder.

According to The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt, which is a leader in eating disorder treatment, this “one eating disorder fits all” theory is entirely untrue.

From a personal standpoint, my decision to seek treatment had nothing at all to do with the number on the scale or the way that my body looked.  It had everything to do with the state of my mind, and the fact that I was not able to live my life to the fullest because my eating disorder was in the way.  Besides the fact that I was developing health problems (and astronomical dental bills), I was ready to begin living.

In my opinion, another problem that plagues those who suffer from eating disorders is the misconception that one does not “deserve” treatment.  Research has shown that many people who suffer from eating disorders also suffer from varied degrees of perfectionism.  Due to these perfectionist tendencies, some might believe that they haven’t “earned” treatment yet.

Treatment isn’t something that has to be earned.  If you suffer from any one of the spectrum of disorders, you deserve to be treated.

This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.  Get involved.  Speak out, and please seek help if you are in need.