Be advised that this article makes mention of eating disorder behaviour.
World Eating Disorders Day (WEDD) aims to bring together individuals affected by eating disorders with their families and health professionals.
The intention behind WEDD, which takes place on 2 June each year, is to raise awareness of eating-disorder-related illnesses, and to dispel misconceptions around these conditions, according to the official website for the cause.
Kayla Gordon-Hogg, a Stellenbosch resident who has recovered from anorexia nervosa, explained that the theme of WEDD this year is ‘Equity for Eating Disorders’.
“Equity for Eating Disorders promotes that no one’s eating disorder is more important than someone else’s. No matter the severity, an eating disorder is a mental disorder that deserves to be treated,” said Gordon-Hogg.
Recognising the causes behind eating disorders
Eating disorders can have several causes, but are often physical manifestations of deeply rooted feelings, according to Dr Joan Collet, a Stellenbosch-based psychologist.
“We have to consider the effects of starvation on the brain — depression, lack of concentration, or substance abuse. There’s a lot of overlap with patients’ mental health and their obsessive eating habits,” said Collet.
There are other eating disorders besides anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. There is often an overlap in behaviours between those with more commonly known and those with less well-known eating disorders, according to Dr Christina Van Der Merwe, a Stellenbosch-based psychologist. INFOGRAPHIC: Kimberley Schoeman
Various types of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, start off with good intentions, according to Dr Christina van der Merwe, a psychologist at Tygerberg Hospital who specialises in eating disorders. However, they become difficult to manage later on, she added.
“[Eating disorders] start off with good intentions — to be healthier. But then the person [takes it further], and it becomes too difficult to stop and return to a more balanced approach to eating,” said Van der Merwe.
Gordon-Hogg said that she often used her busy work schedule as an excuse to avoid food.
“My work schedule was very busy and I used it as a disguise for being ‘too busy to eat’. I knew if I looked busy, then people wouldn’t notice I wasn’t eating breakfast or lunch,” said Gordon-Hogg.
There are many resources available for assisting patients with eating disorders. It is important for those suffering from eating disorders to reach out for help as soon as possible, as those with such conditions are often very secretive, according to Dr Christina van der Merwe, a psychologist at Tygerberg Hospital. INFOGRAPHIC: Kimberley Schoeman
The impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on eating disorders
The lockdown restrictions brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on individuals affected by eating disorders, as well as access to recovery treatments, during 2020, according to Van der Merwe.
“We weren’t allowed to admit any [eating disorder] patients to our unit at Tygerberg Hospital, because the unit was used for adolescents who showed symptoms of Covid-19, so we couldn’t admit medically compromised patients in the same place,” said Van der Merwe.
However, Gordon-Hogg found that the initial lockdown helped her recovery from anorexia.
“I moved back home to live with my family, which turned out to be great [for recovery]. My mom is a chef, so I found a new appreciation for food and how to take care of my body,” said Gordon-Hogg.
Kayla Gordon-Hogg, a Stellenbosch resident, told MatieMedia that she recovered from 2 years of living with anorexia nervosa.