Hi,
I'm September and I'd just like to say I suffer from an Eating Disorder. I also know a few people (in my family) who have them as well. So i can tell stories on each side of it.
An eating disorder is more than a diet. It an obsession. It's a disease. Once a person has it, it is very very difficult to get rid of. The obsession is about so much. Constantly thinking about food, what to eat, what not to eat, our size, weight, calories, counting, what other people are thinking about us, how to avoid people, looking at thin girls, comparing ourselves, and well just so much more. We think about that stuff so much, we don't have time for anything else. It takes over. We think we control the eating disorder, but it really controls us. Depression plays a huge part in it as well as anxiety and mood swings. We feel like failures all the time and we constantly criticize ourselves. The funny thing is most of us are extremely nice to other people. We have a distorted body image. When we look in the mirror we see "fat". We eventually want to get help. At the same time, we don't. The eating disorder gives us so much. And the sad thing is, we won't get help until WE want it.
Eating disorders kill. They kill our minds and our bodies. Some people go so long without food that they literally can't think straight. Eating disorders lead to so many health issues. Not only can we die from health problems, but suicide is a major issue as well. I personally attempted suicide multiple times. An eating disorder is not something you want to have. It's not "glamorous" at all. In fact, its the total opposite. When I was in treatment not too long ago, I saw girls that looked dead. Really dead. They couldn't walk, their hair was thin and fragile, could barely talk. It was so scary. I don't want to end up like that. I would hope no one does.

So this is what an eating disorder is.

I hope this gives people an better understand of it. I live with it everyday all day. It's an addiction. It's an obsession. It is my life. Thanks for listening. I'm September, from a small town in Maryland and I have bulimia.