My Messy Life

When we talk about eating disorders, most of the time the attention is solely focused on the sufferer, the one with the eating disorder, the debilitating symptoms, the physical, emotional, social and financial damage that it can cause the individual who is struggling. As a sufferer myself, I have seen this first hand, and it's always made me feel a bit uneasy, because I see this as only half of the true story. The other half is my family. I have seen 14 years of my parents, my brother, everyone I love and who loves me, suffering too - but barely getting a mention other than to look for a "cause" to my eating disorder. My parents have had to face guilt and feeling like they could have done something differently to prevent my suffering, they've had to face stigma from other parents, from wider society, and even from eating disorders services. They have had to face 14 years of seeing their son struggling... I cannot imagine how hard that must be. My brother has suffered ...

In Part 1 , I included a few ways that some of the current "awareness" might be doing more harm than good, both to sufferers of eating disorders and to the stigma that exists within wider society. So now I want to put together a list of things that can be included in articles, awareness campaigns and the media, so we can raise awareness without creating harm, triggering sufferers or adding another level of stigma. Please also ensure that BEAT Guidelines are followed as these are always a great guide.  Eating Disorder Media Guidelines - Beat (beateatingdisorders.org.uk) 1. Diversity, Diversity, Diversity! This is probably the single most important thing, but the one that is far too often missed. Eating disorders can affect anyone, of any age, gender, body size, ethnicity, sexuality, religion, class, or any other demographic.  However how often do we only see one type of eating disorder (usually Anorexia) portrayed in one way (usually a white, cisgender, middle class girl/t...

Now Eating Disorders Awareness Week has passed, it is no less important that we keep banging the drum of awareness. Eating Disorders don't only affect the sufferer (and their support network) for one week of the year, and awareness needs to be for every day too. But for all the amazing awareness campaigners, advocates and organisations doing brilliant things, there is a fair share of "Awareness" that risks doing more harm than good. I'll try to put a selection on thig blog, it's not an exhaustive list though, and if in doubt, please check out the BEAT Guidelines ( Eating Disorder Media Guidelines - Beat (beateatingdisorders.org.uk) 1. "Before" or "Sick" Photos A common one from a lot of the media, but sadly a growing number of advocates, especially on Instagram. This involves showing a "before" picture, usually of someone severely underweight, followed by an "after" photo, often of them in fitness gear.  The media also uses...