Eating Disorder

This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

I have struggled with eating disorders. I could share colorful, specific stories about eating too much and bringing it back up. Or about times when I did not eat at all. But I won't. My stories are honestly very gross.

I had bulimia and then bulimia and anorexia from ages 14 through 23. Sometimes, I still feel badly about my body, but after a brief lapse at 28, I am healthy now.

I am lucky.

The TV show 20/20 reported last year that eating disorders in moms and older women are on the rise.

Well, we could've told them that.

After giving birth to our children, our bodies change, and our weight is still an issue. Plus, we're handling a lot of stress from husbands to work to our kids. I have a friend--who hopefully isn't reading this--who is so thin she passes out at work. She's a wonderful mother of two.

Do you know someone who is struggling, too? Up to 10 to 12 percent of eating disorder patients are adult women. It's hard to know what to say to an adult woman. I just try to be a good friend, and if the subject comes up, I offer my support.

If you are struggling, find help at the National Eating Disorders Association. There are other CafeMoms you can turn to, too. Check out the private groups: Moms Who Have an Eating Disorder, Moms with Eating Disorders and Overeaters Anonymous.

Did you ever deal with an eating disorder? Are you still struggling with it now?