Eating Disorders Can Effect Anyone
Even the rich and famous that we often think have the good life and strive to imitate are not immune to eating disorders. Perhaps they are even more susceptible due to being constantly in the public eye and wanting to maintain a glamorous or handsome body size and shape. One of the famous public figures who struggled with eating disorders was Princess Diana, who used bulimia to cope with the stresses of becoming a member of the English Royalty and also had a poor self-image.
Before her death in 1997, she had gone public with her eating disorder and was a spokesperson for awareness and treatment of this illness. Other celebrities like Mary Kate Olson, Kate Moss, Nicole Richie, and Calista Flockhart continue to deal with or have been treated with eating disorders. Check out the website Caring Online for more information. Famous men are not exempt as Elvis Presley had eating disorder and drug abuse problems and became quite overweight before his death. Another male celebrity is Sir Elton John who has struggled with bulimia and substance abuse in the past.
What should you do if you have a family member or friend that you suspect to have an eating disorder? Be aware that denial of the problem by the victim, family, and friends often occurs until the person is seriously ill. The first step is to talk directly to the person about your suspicions in a kind and understanding way. This may cause stress in the family or friendship, but remember that this is a life-threatening illness if it continues to be ignored. Encourage professional help and talk with parents or other family members about your concerns.
Over-involvement can occur once treatment is begun, and make the eating disorder the center of your relationship with the person which a not a healthy situation. Remember that you or family members are not responsible for becoming “food police” by continually monitoring what the person eats or doesn’t eat. Continually nagging them or reminding them or making negative remarks about their eating habits does not help, and may push the person to be more secretive about their disorder as a means of regaining some measure of control in their lives. As with other substance abuse problems, it is the person themselves that must decide they need to change behaviors to become a well person and be responsible for their own decisions about daily amount of food intake.
Check your knowledge by taking the following online eating disorders quiz.