If you or someone you know has an eating disorder, or you’re worried that they might, finding help outside of yourself is imperative. Remember, even if you are wrong, it’s better to find out now than wait for this disease to get worse. People do die from anorexia. It’s much easier to get under control sooner rather than later.
Websites
National Eating Disorders Association
This website offers a lot of help for people who have eating disorders as well as for those who love them. They offer a helpline and a screening tool that you can use to figure out if you or a loved one has an eating disorder like anorexia. You can sign up for an informative newsletter on their home page.
Kids’ Health from Nemours
This site has lots of information about all sorts of kids’ health issues, including anorexia. You can view the site in English and Spanish. The site is very accessible, as you can read it or listen to the information. They have a handy growth chart as well as information to help you get help for your child sooner rather than later.
National Eating Disorder Information Centre (Canada)
This site offers a lot of useful information about not only helping yourself but also others who may have eating disorders – including helping an adult or a child with an eating disorder. You can go to presentations and workshops about eating disorders that they offer as education to the public and members.
Help Finder UK
This is an excellent website from the UK that helps you find groups and therapists for any issue, including eating disorders like anorexia. You can phone them or use their handy search feature on the site. Plus, there are treatment guides, downloadable resources, and so much more.
National Eating Disorder Collaboration AU
This site is available for people to find services about eating disorders in Australia. They have a helpline for kids as well as adults, and even an emergency number where you can get medical attention right away. You can get help via phone, email, and an amazing chatline.
Your Primary Care Provider
If you currently have a regular doctor that you see yearly for your physicals, this is the person you want to talk to first about a possible eating disorder. They can direct you to help in your local area or the right doctor for your needs.
Your Parents
If you are a young adult or a child reading this, don’t be afraid to talk to your parents about your situation. Often parents already realize something is wrong but don’t know how to fix it. Go to them and speak to them about your concerns because they will find help for you.
A Psychotherapist
You can also go directly to a therapist to help you with your eating disorder if you believe you have one. They will recommend the right therapy for you once they talk to you to learn about what is happening.
Getting help and finding support for any type of mental illness is very important, especially one like anorexia that does kill people. The fact is that 1 in 5 anorexics will die from suicide. The resulting deaths are 12 times higher than all other causes of death for females ages 15 to 24. Knowing this means you have to get help for yourself or your loved ones, now that you can.