EATING disorders can be beaten. That's the message the Department of Social Care is keen to publicise to mark Eating Disorders Awareness Week this week.
The national campaign which runs until Monday, February 28, is designed to raise awareness of eating disorders and reassure sufferers that recovery is always possible even after many years of illness.
Martyn Quayle, Social Care Minister, said: "I am delighted to support this important initiative. Government is committed to improving the quality of life of the people of the Isle of Man - good mental health is a crucial factor in achieving this.
"I do hope Eating Disorders Awareness Week helps everyone in the community understand this issue and helps people who may be suffering from eating disorders to gain information and help."
Eating disorders affect 1.6 million people in the UK according to the UK's eating disorder association Beat.
Anyone can develop an eating disorder but the most likely to be affected tend to be young girls between the ages of 12 to 25. 10 percent of people diagnosed with an eating disorder are male.
The causes of eating disorders are complex and there are lots of reasons why someone may develop an eating disorder, such as low self-esteem, relationship problems with family or friends, anxiety about growing up, bereavement or due to a traumatic event in their lives. Some people describe their eating disorder as a way of staying in control of their life or as an emotional release.
Bill Malarkey MHK, political member for Social Services, said: "Eating disorders have always been with us but in the past a lack of awareness has meant that people were often too afraid to ask for help and struggled on alone.
"We now have greater understanding of eating disorders and know that successful interventions involve working towards some understanding, not just recognition, of the problem.
"This week provides an opportunity to raise awareness and increase understanding of these difficult and demanding disorders and the department continues to provide a high quality service to those affected."
If left untreated eating disorders can have a negative impact on various areas of a sufferers life including their relationship with their family and friends and their schoolwork or jobs. Many people will not acknowledge that there is anything wrong.
Treatment of eating disorders in the Island is a multi-agency approach which involves GPs, The Community Mental Health Team, nursing staff, dietitians, psychiatrists, family therapists, psychotherapists and psychologists. The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service co-ordinates the treatment of eating disorders in children and young people.
Have you suffered with eating disorders? Would you like to share your story? If so e-mail newsroom@isleofman.com
