Eating Disorders in women over 30...

Many people believe that eating disorders are a "teenager" thing. Moreover, they think that all eating disorders are merely about appearance.

In reality, the above statements are gross misconceptions...dangerous misconceptions. According to the source article below, one treatment center in particular will built a facility to accomodate the growing number of mature adults seeking treatment for their eating disorders. Many of these women and men have been struggling since their teens--or earlier. And I wonder how many have suffered in silence because of incorrect assumptions.

Rhetorical, of course. I'm 30 years old, and I've had an eating disorder since I was 16 years old...upon the birth of my first child. Even prior to that, however, I did have body image issues--a requirement basically for any teenager, I suppose.

Thighs too big...covering them up with a towel at the pool only to throw it off right before I get into the water and waiting at the edge for when I got out of the water. Looking for imperfections upon passing any reflective surface. No, not because I thought I was hot shit...quite the opposite actually. I had also been molested by my grandfather several years before--mom was in prison, and I lived iwth my grandparents for a year. I have no desire to discuss that subject any further, but it played a massive part in creating the psychology of my eating disorder.

I became symptomatic at 16, after having a c-section, and though my husband said my stretched and fleshy stomach didn't disgust him...it most certainly did disgust me. Small girth and gaining right at 70 pounds, I felt disfigured. And more disgusted than I had been during and after the abuse. The day my first daughter was born, I pulled back the covers, saw it, and promptly puked up what I had just eaten. Stupid, not only because it was painful with staples in my gut, but because I haven't stopped since--except when I was pregnant with my second daughter.

My oldest is 13, and my youngest is 4, and I've missed out on alot of their lives just by being consumed with the ED. There are limited treatment options period...let alone effective treatment for women my age. Now if insurance and such weren't such an issue and Bush could get his shit together, we might just have an option.

What are your thoughts? Concerns? Questions? Comments? Or just unleash your own rant.

Source: MSNBC - More women over 30 battling eating disorders

More Information Link: National Institute of Mental Health