Our partnership with Turning Point CT continues as our panel discuses how the image we see in the mirror impacts our mental health. We also took a closer look at eating disorders and how they are not always directly related to body image, but also a reflection our mental health in general. We're digging deep and asking each other the tough questions.

Panelists

• Kailey – CT
• Sasha – CT
• Robyn – CT

Show Notes

by Peggy S. Bud, Community Outreach Director

In this episode, we  discuss the ‘war with our body.’  The panelists on Mental Health in the Mirror all continue to struggle with eating disorders. They openly and honestly shared their thoughts and experiences and explained the link between mental health problems and eating disorders. ‘Not eating’ is a coping mechanism to address feelings of depression and anxiety. ‘What goes into our body’ is a way to get control of your life and to punish yourself. It’s about learning not to ‘listen to hunger cues and how to ignore them.’ 

The panelists all agreed social media escalates how you view yourself and your body image. Often celebrities and influencers post edited photos; yet, many of these people are actually experiencing some type of anorexia. The pictures are saying ‘skinny is pretty.’ They are ‘praising people who are skinny.’ The panelists agreed many times, ‘you feel like you know these people and so you accept the ideas they put into your head.’

Everyone felt talking about anorexia and other types of eating disorders seemed to be taboo and was even normalized in high school. They questioned why high school health programs openly discussed depression and suicide but not anorexia. Anorexia isn’t just a ‘girl’ problem; guys have eating disorders too. ‘Their struggles are more silent because they (men) think that no one expects this from me.’ Some athletes develop what is called orthorexia, which means they obsess about eating healthy to the extreme that it takes over their lives and damages their overall health. The difference is anorexia focuses on calories and orthorexia on healthy foods.

It is important for kids to know they are not alone; help is out there. However, all panelists shared that it was a medical crisis that opened them up to getting help. One panelist said that she stopped menstruating and thought she was pregnant. However, since she had never had sex, she thought ‘Could I be another Virgin Mary?’ It was only after this experience that she learned that malnutrition affects all aspects of your health including your menstrual cycle. Starving themselves has also created chronic health problems for all of them.

Anorexia is a complicated mental illness, which is why when parents say ‘just eat’ …their comments are not helpful. Being anorexic isn’t that simple’ and requires professional therapy. All of the panelists agreed since parents ‘are not professionals, they can make comments that are harmful.’ There are many different types of programs that will provide professional support to those with eating disorders. For some, ‘group therapy is best because it makes everyone feel they are not alone and helps to validate their struggles.’

Watch Mental Health in the Mirror to hear more about the journey these kids took to realize that ‘life is worth more than sitting alone in your own darkness.’