Eating Disorders 101 (Fast facts)

While eating disorders can be difficult to understand, they're becoming increasingly common.
There are many different types of eating disorders as well! I've listed some well known ones below, while there are many others, these are just four I chose to later explain in further details. So keep an eye out for those posts!! Eating disorders are not limited to extreme weight loss but extreme weight gain as well.

Anorexia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa

Orthorexia Nervosa 

Binge Eating Disorders

All eating disorders can be very dangerous and life threatening. 

Here are SOME symptoms to look out for:

• Weight GAIN/LOSS
• Obsession with calories
• Low self esteem 
• Feeling out of control
• Fear of eating around others
• Signs of malnutrition 
• Signs of dehydration
• Hair loss
• Insomnia or excessive sleep
• Obsession with exercise
• Obsession with scales
• Other self destructive patterns

REMEMBER: These are just SOME symptoms. 

For more details on symptoms, check out these sites! http://www.angelfire.com/bc/peacelovehope/signs.html

http://www.casapalmera.com/articles/7-warning-signs-of-an-eating-disorder/

http://www.eatingdisordershelpguide.com/signs.html

http://www.disordered-eating.co.uk/signs-of-eating-disorders/signs-of-eating-disorders.html

There is nothing you can't overcome if you put your mind to it.

Don't let depression run your life!

While it's good to go to group therapy and see your therapist, etc you should always try to have something unrelated that you enjoy AND can provide some of the help you need. Such as art classes, yoga, any type of exercise, book clubs, basically anything you can enjoy that has a positive effect on yourself!
From my experience you don't want to get too caught up within your Mental Health System.


Exercise is super effective for making you feel good! Even walking, raking leaves, dancing whatever gets you moving!!
It BOOSTS your self-esteem.
It makes you feel GOOD about your body.
It is key to a HEALTHY you.

Mental Illness, debatable?

Dealing with mental illness' can be really difficult. Some people like to think they don't 'exist' but whether they exist or not, what I've gone through in recent years, is pretty damn real. I've learnt a lot but in the end, it wasn't the countless hours of therapy that helped, nor the cocktail of unheard of meds but life style changes and personal determination. I started this to retell my tale of mental illness.