Diet or Eating Disorder? Article and Website.

I thought I should post this as well as a link to the website that I found it on. I think it's important to have information available about this topic. I think that the distinction between eating disorder and diet can often be a blurry one to many people. We are all on this website to make the best of our bodies (and hopefully of ourselves). So to keep with the dominant positive spirit that circulates the forum, I felt info on where to get help could be a useful tool to all or any of us. I really applaud everyone's support of each other and I hope that we all keep healthy and happy !

The below mentioned website offers online support, chats and bulletin boards as well as a local treatment finder (see site map)

Article from : http://www.something-fishy.org

Eating Disorder or Diet?
The most common element surrounding ALL Eating Disorders is the inherent presence of a low self esteem

Having an Eating Disorder is much more than just being on a diet. An Eating Disorder is an illness that permeates all aspects of each sufferer's life, is caused by a variety of emotional factors and influences, and has profound effects on the people suffering and their loved ones.

Dieting is about losing a little bit of weight in a healthy way.

Eating Disorders are about trying to make your whole life better through food and eating (or lack of).

Dieting is about doing something healthy for yourself.

Eating Disorders are about seeking approval and acceptance from everyone through negative attention.

Dieting is about losing a bit of weight and doing it healthfully.

Eating Disorders are about how life won't be good until a bit (or a lot) of weight is lost, and there's no concern for what kind of damage you do to yourself to get there.

Dieting is about losing some weight in a healthy way so how you feel on the outside will match how good you already feel on the inside.

Eating Disorders are about being convinced that your whole self-esteem is hinged on what you weigh and how you look.

Dieting is about attempting to control your weight a bit better.

Eating Disorders are about attempting to control your life and emotions through food/lack of food -- and are a huge neon sign saying "look how out of control I really feel"

Dieting is about losing some weight.

Eating Disorders are about everything going on in life -- stress, coping, pain, anger, acceptance, validation, confusion, fear -- cleverly (or not so cleverly) hidden behind phrases like "I'm just on a diet".