General Information
"The biggest barriers people with disabilities encounter are other people. Disability Awareness means educating people regarding disabilities and giving people the knowledge required to carry out a job or task thus separating good practice from poor. It is no longer enough just to know that disability discrimination is unlawful" (Learn More Here).
Due to the prevalence of eating disorders seen in students today, we are focusing our studies on anorexia. Anorexia can show itself in the form of a distorted view of one's own image leading to the lack of eating and other symptoms in the person it manifests in, including the possibility of excessive exercise and an obsession with having a thin figure.
Important To Know Facts:
- Anorexia is the leading cause of death from mental illnesses, surpassing depression
- Anorexia is more prevalent in upper social classes
- In developed countries, the diagnosis rates is 0.3% in men and 0.9% in women
- About 50 to 75 percent of individuals with Anorexia will experience depression and 25% of individuals will experience Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Signs and Risk Factors:
- Family history of mental illness
- Weight is not proportional to age, height, and build (usually around 15% below normal weight)
- Mineral loss or imbalance
- Low temperature
- Irregular heartbeat
- Permanent stunting of normal body growth
Interested in learning more about other disabilities? Check out these sources!
How You Can Help
Since the biggest insecurity and barrier for people with disabilities is interacting with other people, be sure to stay educated so that you aren't making assumptions about people because of their disabilities.
When helping someone overcome anorexia, don't say anything that could be demeaning to them: why don't you eat? you look so unhealthy! I'm so glad you ate! Instead, support them emotionally. It isn't simply gaining weight.
Check out these non-profits to see how you can help!
- MyASDF