For more than 20 years, I have been the executive director of Anorexia and Bulimia Quebec (ANEB), a provincial nonprofit that has been providing services to people living with eating disorders and their families for more than 35 years.
It is undeniable that there have been positive changes in this regard over the years. I’ve seen the advance of knowledge, I’ve worked with new specialized resources, and I’ve witnessed people’s genuine desire to speak openly about their condition in order to break taboos.
These are public health problems of great concern due to their increasing prevalence rate as well as their different manifestations (anorexia, bulimia, orthorexia, hyperphagic attack, bigorexia). These disorders have many psychological and physiological effects on sufferers and, if left untreated, can be fatal.
An alarming situation
Despite advances, there are still not enough specialized resources to treat these disorders. Of this number, the vacant ones consist mainly of hospitals, which have limited places available. The response time to obtain specialized third-line care for adults is particularly long.
Many people have to wait months before receiving benefits, depending on the severity of their case. If you are in need, it is not acceptable! And what about remote regions where there is a dire lack of specialized services to help those who are suffering?
In recent years, a growing number of voices have been raised about the lack of diversity and inclusivity in the research and treatment of people with eating disorders. Observations at ANEB and our partner Maison l’Éclaircie confirm this. Some people belonging to different groups, such as members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, people with developmental disabilities, people belonging to visible minorities, as well as other members of our society, such as men and the elderly, do not necessarily come and do not necessarily seek expert help. Despite this observation, ANEB strives to reach out more to these communities to make everyone feel welcome.
Relative
Relatives often feel helpless and helpless, don’t know who to turn to, and are rarely attacked by adult services. A parent whose child has an eating disorder, a couple whose spouse has had anorexia, bulimia, or hyperphagia for many years, these people don’t know who to turn to for airing, listen.
It is clear that after all these years, many prejudices still exist about the disease. How many times have we heard: “He just has to eat, it’s a whim; Eating disorders cannot affect men; he cannot suffer from anorexia, she is not thin enough; he has no willpower and should control himself before eating…” This misunderstanding of illness and misunderstandings still exists today.
Remember that National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is a stepping stone to breaking taboos, raising awareness, and making people aware of the various resources that are out there.
Photo Jessie Ann Pomerleau
josee champagne, Managing Director, ANEB