CW: Contains content that may be disturbing about Eating Disorders (ED), insurance and financial troubles, depression and self harm.
Talk about Eating Disorders has expanded much in the past decade since Thin (2006) released. There is now a greater support system than ever and many efforts to smear away the stigma surrounding those suffering from it. Widespread encouragement to eat and loosen up toxic dietary restrictions can be seen on the good sides of social media, when social media is not encouraging unhealthy beauty standards.
It’s great progress to be talking more about combatting ED and self love, and issues leading towards and encouraging ED such as ancient engrained beauty standards and the repetitive implementation of them, diet and fitness culture, the combination of the two, and the encouraging possibility of recovery.
What is not talked about enough in these posts and infographics is one of the hugest villains in life that steps in the way of ED recovery, and really casts a shadow over taking care of one’s health in general: insurance.
The healthcare system in America falls short of many things, one of which being a burden upon people attempting to get treatment for severe ED.
This is where a documentary from 2006 shines: exposing a bleak reality of a crumbling and belittling support system that not only brews a somewhat competitive and toxic environment, but shows an ending that is not a true resolution for these women. They are shown leaving the treatment center in Florida, with a future of uncertainty. Ideally, them stepping back into the world, almost like a recovered animal going back into the wild, should be deemed as a happy ending. Right?
After they leave, there is no hope to display. While it shows the ugly truth as it should be exposed, is there no way of really making it out?
Many of them were pushed out or unable to come back in due to insurance running out and no longer being able to cover the costs of treatment. One of them, Polly, died two years later.
For viewers suffering from an ED themselves, if they were to turn to this documentary with even an ounce of hope that they’ll see a true story of recovery, instead they see a deteriorating health care system that could turn against those struggling at any second. While the ugly truth of it should be exposed and the stories told, it needs to be understood that recovery is possible.
Financial burdens are an obstacle for many, many health conditions; whether that be treating them or even diagnosis. 16 years later, maybe we can look back on this theme now and include costs into our positive conversations about recovery to spread awareness, share resources for each other, and demand a change to this system.
If you or a loved one is suffering from ED, share concerns of such or just want to know more, you can start with finding a support system near you at Eating Disorder Hope.com.
