Eating disorders are cruel illnesses. They hide in the shadows of shame and secrecy, demanding all the attention they can get. They manipulate those suffering into isolating themselves from those they love most.
Eating disorders can make people cancel dinner plans with friends because of anxiety about eating in public. They can convince an individual to tell lies about whether they’re hungry for dinner and then eat a large amount of food in secret in their room. They might distract people from their hobbies to spend more time exercising and “making up” for the calories they ate instead.
Eating disorders drill deceptive messages into the minds of those affected:
- “You’re not ‘sick enough.’”
- “Why can’t you just eat ‘normally’? You need more willpower.”
- “Even if you told someone, they wouldn’t understand.”
These lies keep people from seeking the care they rightfully deserve. 28.8 million Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. Eating disorders are not a rare illness, and yet, so many people suffer alone.
Not one more person should have to experience this complex mental illness without proper treatment and support.
Here at Veritas Collaborative, we envision a world free from the stigma surrounding mental health issues. A world where people are encouraged to share their struggles and are met with empathy. Where early intervention leads to prompt, effective treatment and lasting recovery. In this world we hope to create, people of all ages, genders, races, abilities, and sizes have access to the care they need to heal.
We hope for better eating disorder training and education for medical providers, policymakers, teachers, coaches, employers, loved ones, the media, and the general public. A lack of knowledge of eating disorders and the dangers of diet culture can lead those with these illnesses to feel misunderstood and reluctant to seek treatment. The more people are educated about these topics, the less alone those with eating disorders will feel and the more likely they will be to seek help.
Not one more person should have to fight this dangerous disease alone. The journey toward healing is a shared one, with support from multidisciplinary professionals and loved ones. Every single person––with any type of eating disorder––deserves to live free from this cruel illness.
Collaboration can make it happen.
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At Veritas Collaborative, we provide compassionate eating disorder treatment around best practices and evidence-based care. With a range of in-person and virtual services for children, adolescents, and adults, we offer Inpatient, Residential, Partial Hospitalization, Intensive Outpatient, and Outpatient levels of care in a gender-diverse and inclusive environment. Our multidisciplinary treatment teams in North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia share a passion and a mission inspired by a collaborative community of care. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, call 1-855-875-5812 or visit veritascollaborative.com.