CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

EDITORIAL: Eating disorders are real issues

Sentinel, The (Carlisle, PA) - 8/21/2014

Aug. 20--We appreciate that Mary Parks of Carlisle shared her story with us.

It's a story that many would not feel comfortable telling.

She recently returned from 50 days of treatment for an eating disorder at The Renfrew Center in Coconut Creek, Florida.

Binge eating and emotional eating are her challenges. She's lost about 35 pounds. She's about 30 pounds away from weighing less than 500 pounds. Those who believe she can make 499 are encouraged to donate $29 to help continue to pay for the insurance premiums and other expenses.

While society has come to accept (rightfully) that drug and alcohol addictions are real problems, and that clinical depression is more than just a state of sadness, overeating disorders still are considered a matter of will.

Even eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia -- which involve losing weight, not gaining it -- are not questioned as being legitimate issues related to food. But when someone says an eating disorder is making them fat, they all too often are ridiculed as being lazy or lacking in self-discipline and self-control.

While in Florida, Parks received treatment in which the thought process surrounding food and the emotions began to be changed and education to retrain her body to understand proper portion sizes, in addition to an exercise regimen.

Not every person who is overweight has a disorder. But we can't simply dismiss the fact that the disorders exist.

In Parks' situation, we are happy to hear she is getting encouragement. In Tammie Gitt's story in The Sentinel, she reported that people have stopped and waved out their car windows, yelling their greetings and support.

"I was overwhelmed in the best sense possible to know that everyone cares that much," she told us.

We wish more people grappling with such disorders received the same support.

Like any addiction, the rational mind can't grasp what another person is going through.

And while an alcoholic or drug addict does not need those things to live, someone with an eating disorder will always need to eat.

So instead of snarky and demeaning comments that are all too often made about those with weight problems, let's focus on supporting people such as Parks who have started their recovery to a healthier life.

___

(c)2014 The Sentinel (Carlisle, Pa.)

Visit The Sentinel (Carlisle, Pa.) at www.cumberlink.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services