My Story for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week [VIDEO]

I share this video every year during this week, just so other people know that they're not alone. 

It's National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

I don't have any profound advice on recovery; I wish I did. This video is five years old, and I can still say that I'm NOT "recovered." I'm not a bulimic by definition anymore, but I still deal with the mental illness aspect of it every. Single. Day.

I remember making this video - it was like a "coming out" to everybody. So few people actually knew; it's not really something you brag about. It's a vicious secret that you keep because you don't want anybody to intervene. And, to be honest, most people don't know HOW to intervene. But I thought, "If I admit to it, it will be easier to recover."

And it was. For a while. I went on some anti-depressants to help with my obsessive tendencies surrounding eating. I went to therapy. I actually talked about it. And it felt good.

But here I am, five years later. I wish I could say that I'm 100% over it, but I'm not. And that's okay. I just want people to know that it's okay to NOT be okay.

We're humans. We're flawed. It's okay. I can't imagine what it must be like to be a kid today, with all of the new pressure from social media. It was bad enough when I was young.

When you're ready, get professional help. The NEDA Helpline (800-931-2237) is available Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET, and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET to answer questions, help you or a loved one find treatment, and to just offer support.

If it’s a crisis, text “NEDA” to 741-741, which is accessible 24/7.

Don't every let ANYBODY tell you that it's not a real "problem." If you struggle with it, it's a problem. Hugs to you - I get it.