Monday 1st March to Sunday 7th March is Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2021
This #EDAW we’re recognising and sharing about Binge eating disorder and the serious eating disorder this is Binge eating disorder (BED) is a serious mental illness where people eat very large quantities of food without feeling like they’re in control of what they’re doing. It can affect anyone of any age, gender, ethnicity or background.

People with binge eating disorder eat large quantities of food over a short period of time (called binge eating).

Unlike people with bulimia, they don’t usually follow this by getting rid of the food through, for example, vomiting, though sometimes they might fast between binges. BED is not about choosing to eat large portions, nor are people who suffer from it just “overindulging” – far from being enjoyable, binges are very distressing, often involving a much larger amount of food than someone would want to eat. People may find it difficult to stop during a binge even if they want to. Some people with binge eating disorder have described feeling disconnected from what they’re doing during a binge, or even struggling to remember what they’ve eaten afterwards.

Characteristics of a binge eating episode can include eating much faster than normal, eating until feeling uncomfortably full, eating large amounts of food when not physically hungry, eating alone through embarrassment at the amount being eaten, and feelings of disgust, shame or guilt during or after the binge.

Binges may be planned like a ritual and can involve the person buying "special" binge foods, or they may be more spontaneous. People may go to extreme lengths to access food – for example, eating food that has been thrown away or stealing food. Binge eating usually takes place in private, though the person may eat regular meals outside their binges. People with binge eating disorder may also restrict their diet or put in certain rules around food – this can also lead to them binge eating due to hunger and feelings of deprivation. People often have feelings of guilt and disgust at their lack of control during and after binge eating, which can reinforce that cycle of negative emotions, restriction and binge eating again.

There are lots of things that can make someone feel the urge to binge eat. This could include difficult or overwhelming feelings, for example, feeling low, bored, angry, upset, or anxious. People may also binge eat when they are feeling happy or excited too. Sometimes binge eating episodes may also be more habitual or planned, rather than driven by a sudden urge, and this can also be due to a number of reasons, such as to numb emotions, to manage uncomfortable feelings or due to the opportunity arising if someone is alone.
This is a very secretive illness and is so important to be able to be given the same treatment as all other eating disorders to help towards a full recovery.

Anyone of any age, shape and size can be affected by an eating disorder. Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that affect 1000's and 1000's of people, they cannot always be visible.

i am 1 of those people, i have battled anorexia since 2005 getting diagnosed in 2008 and had several hospital inpatient admissions for my anorexia and mental health and physical health affects it has caused me over the years but i have now managed to almost stay out for 4 years and i am still to this day on my path and journey of recovery, one which i am embracing, fighting and determined to come out the other side even through the tough and challenging of days i can beat this. I will be honest i am struggling so much at the moment and i am having to accept a lot of extra support, something i realise that i do not need to be ashamed of in anyway shape or form but i am determined that i am not going to let anorexia kill me! recovery feels like a scary challenge at the moment and my health is being impacted as a result but this is a motivation for me to fight back stronger and not be beaten

There are so many misconceptions with eating disorders and recovery, people are often quick to assume that eating disorders are about being stick thin, are about being like the models on our tellies and magazines that its about looking a certain way that if someone is eating in recovery that they are better, or looking physically well that they are OK but this is not true at all

Eating disorders can be a way of coping with feelings or situations that are making the person unhappy, angry, depressed, stressed, scared or anxious. They are not the fault of the person suffering, and no one chooses to have an eating disorder. Sometimes people worry about talking to someone because they feel their eating disorder isn’t serious enough, and i have experienced this shame and fear for a long time but im determined that is no longer going to destroy my life

My anorexia started after having to come to terms with my cerebral palsy, my scoliosis, losing the sight in my left eye suddenly, which made me lose a lot of my identity about myself, being unwell physically with lots of infections that hospitalized me about finding my acceptance, the emotional and physical abuse i went through ,the domestic violence i experienced and witnessed and family breakdowns, stressful employment and family court cases, the bullying and bereavements of my Gran and Nan and Auntie and helping to care for my Nan and blaming myself when they both died my housing and accommodation challenges and broken confidence and self esteem, its helped me to cope with my trauma, my anxiety, depression, self harm and thoughts of suicide. i didn't love who i was as a person and that still is hard, i felt out of control, i felt lost, i didn't know where i belonged anymore, i felt broken, i felt shame and guilt for everything that was happening around me and for the person that i was, but controlling what i ate, how i exercised, looked after my body and how i treated it was something i could control, that voice in your head that screams at you that puts you down that tells you you're worthless, that your no good, that your a failure, that everything is your fault, that your ugly and stupid and that you should be ashamed of yourself and deserve to not be alive when you have to mask your pain everyday and fight a silent battle, i didn't want to hurt those around me or be a burden to everyone anymore

Eating disorders make you lose so much of your identity, your life,, your health your future, your dreams and all they want is to strip you of everything and eventually kill you

regardless of weight, appearance and severity eating disorders deserve every bit of help and support to fight them

Beat Jess Griffiths the UK's Eating Disorder Charity are a fantastic charity that continue to support me, encourage me, guide me and help me with my continued recovery from Anorexia and i know i can and will beat this

i also need to thank my friends, family, dietitian, Eating disorder consultant, psychologist, my art therapist, trauma therapist, the rest of my eating disorder team, my surgeons, GP, physiotherapists, care manager and doctors and my supported living, my social worker, support groups and the wider community, all the charities and groups i work and volunteer for and for the support they give me
 this ongoing recovery journey

To all those that love and support me im so sorry ive hurt you all for so many years during this battle with my anorexia and other challenges , but your unconditional love, continued support through all my hospital admissions, inpatient treatment, day patient treatment and continued outpatient treatment i am honestly so grateful for you all continuing to be here for me and i hope this below link can help

https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/supporting-someone

Eating Disorders Can be Beaten and i am determined that one day I WILL be one of those people RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE and I WILL GET THERE

Im still on the journey of recovery, which feels like a roller-coaster full of ups, downs, twists, turns, loopdaloops and backwards drops.“Healing is never a straightforward path”.There are times now where Im tempted to pick up the i'm fine mask to protect myself, keep myself safe helping me to cope when I am struggling. But for me its a dangerous path, a slippery slope,taking me back to a dark and scary place. Ive had to trust myself as Emily, be honest with people, accept myself and be proud of Emily for being so determined to create a positive,healthy future ahead of me and to help encourage others to be brave enough to break free of their masks.
Because behind my mask is a breaking heart, a mind and body thats falling apart, a face that shares a story of strength and hope, that through the struggle there is a better way to cope.The light at the end of the tunnel is somewhere in sight it will be a hard battle,but worth the fight.

So lets come together this EDAW lets beat eating disorders together and offer hope because eating disorders can and will beaten

Please see the link to this years Beat video
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=726784811293433

As part of EDAW I will be sharing a live video everyday of March and I will be sharing misconceptions around eating disorders reducing the stigma, I can answer any questions you have, I will be sharing my story, raising awareness of this years theme doing media interviews hope of recovery and sharing all about Beat, sharing my books ive co-authored, campaign for change, raise awareness, and why we need to provide early intervention and spotting the signs, fight for the right treatment STRAIGHTAWAY and continue to offer, strength and hope

I have raised £2220 pounds for Beat to date from my books and birthday

I HAVE NOW SET UP A JUSTGIVING ILL POST LINK SHORTLY AND WOULD BE SO GRATEFUL FOR DONATIONS THANKYOU SO MUCH