Using personal stories to destigmatize and address eating disorders

The weeklong campaign, running now, aims resources and assistance at patients and their families through videos, social media, online screening tools and more.

Ragan Insider Premium Content
Ragan Insider Content

Anyone can suffer from an eating disorder.

Neesha Arter is an author. “My eating disorder was a way to regain control after losing it when I was sexually assaulted,” she says.

Iskra Lawrence is a model. “The way you feel when you’re in that place—it’s completely lost,” she says. “You don’t know if there’s a way out and you don’t feel like you can ask anyone for help.”

Rachel Paoletta is a journalist. “I didn’t know anyone else who was struggling,” she says, “so I didn’t know who to reach out to.”

They and others speak candidly about their struggles with food issues in this 2017 video from the National Eating Disorders Association:

They also thank the friends and family members who have helped them overcome their affliction.

To read the full story, log in.
Become a Ragan Insider member to read this article and all other archived content.
Sign up today

Already a member? Log in here.
Learn more about Ragan Insider.