Introduction and Eating Disorder Awareness Week

Hello Everyone!

As our venture of fighting stigma continues, we’ve decided to take our battle to a more familiar ground: the INTERNET! It’s only the first post but our hope with this blog is to increase awareness by compiling relevant and interesting news and stories in one place just for you (I know, we’re the best thing that’s happened since sliced bread.)

I’m going to kick off this blog with an article that involves one of my most favorite things in the entire world: makeup. In hopes to battle the stigma around mental illness, Yasaman Gheidi, aka Lilmoonchildd, created a campaign called the “Inside out challenge.” This incredibly lighthearted yet moving project seeks to help people express what their mental illness is like. Although people often sympathize with those who suffer from mental illnesses, they are unable to fully visualize and relate. You can find more information here.

(Let us know if you’d like to do this on campus or even just work to expand the campaign.)

Picture Credit: She Knows

Get your snorkel out because we’re about to go MUCH deeper into mental illness; specifically, into eating disorders.

Think about the term “eating disorder.” What’s the first thing that comes to mind? Most of us almost instantly think of the extreme symptoms of anorexia nervosa (dangerously underweight and extremely body conscious.) Some of us will also think of bulimia and binging/purging disorders.

Many of us have no idea about PICA, SED, or Prader-Willi syndrome. These are just three of the many different types of unhealthy eating disorders known at the moment. This article discusses the severity of some “picky eating” cases. Although most of us as children had certain things we didn’t eat because they were green, some people have issues with food throughout their entire life. This condition has absolutely nothing to do with distorted body image so most people don’t really associate it with a true eating disorder.

A more common disorder, atypical anorexia, has actually nothing to do with body image. In some cases it develops through wanting to control the urge to eat. For those that feel their life is extremely hectic, being able to control something is extremely comforting. You can read more about a specific case here.

It’s imperative to be aware of what’s healthy when it comes to food (it’s literally your source of energy.) If you have any concern about your food intake, see a nutritionist. UTD offers free sessions and access to a dietitian in the Student Wellness Center (SSB 4.5).

That's all for this post!

Let us know if you have any suggestions by emailing us at utdactiveminds@gmail.com

If you're interested in writing about your personal experience with mental illness don't hesitate to reach out (I promise we don't bite!) We'd love to have our members talk about their point of view on all of this.

Till next time,

May the force be with you.

Additional articles to check out!

When Kids with Mental Illness Can't Live at Home

“If Schuyler had cancer, I would never think of myself as a failure if I didn’t do chemo in my living room,” Walker says. “I would never think of myself as giving up. This is a brain disorder.”

Incredibly moving piece about eating disorders and parenting:

Why I Talk About My Daughter's Body

Why Am I Afraid to Eat in Front of People? If eating and drinking in front of others causes you extreme anxiety, you may either endure these situations with great discomfort or avoid them altogether.

Don't forget to come out and participate in our events!