Eating disorders are among the most serious mental illnesses, leading to various health complications and, in some cases, death1. Despite the severity, it takes individuals an average of more than five years from the onset of symptoms to seek treatment2. To address this alarming disparity, the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) organizes an annual awareness campaign to educate the public on the realities of eating disorders. This year’s campaign, titled “The Time is Now,” runs from February 24 to March 2, 2025. Its goal is to promote early detection and treatment by highlighting the importance of sharing knowledge and resources and advocating for continued research.
Why are widespread knowledge and early detection and treatment of eating disorders so important? Research shows that early treatment leads to significantly better outcomes. One study on an early treatment method for young adults found it achieved quicker recovery speeds and overall effectiveness compared to standard treatment approaches3. Another study reinforced these findings, showing that early treatment led to lower emotional distress and increased participation in treatment, highlighting its vital role in improving recovery success4.
While early detection and treatment are determinative to treatment outcome and success, there are significant barriers to accessing such treatment. The most often cited barriers across numerous research studies include stigma and shame, a lack of awareness or denial of the illness’s severity, and the belief that others are incapable of providing effective help2. Communication via social media, open conversations, and increased advocacy can directly address these barriers by fostering awareness, reducing stigma, and encouraging early help-seeking behaviors. This is exactly what NEDA’s campaign, “The Time is Now,” aims to achieve.
There are many to contribute to this campaign as an advocate, supporter, or seeker of ED treatment and recovery. The websites for NEDA, the National Alliance for Eating Disorders, and Project Heal (all linked below) have many resources including webinars, informational graphics for social media, blog posts, and ED screening tools. Simply fostering conversation around eating disorders, with support from such organizations can have cascading effects and ultimately save lives.
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Website: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
The National Alliance for Eating Disorders Website: www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com
Project Heal: www.theprojectheal.org
References:
- Deloitte Access Economics. The Social and Economic Cost of Eating Disorders in the United States of America: A Report for the Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders and the Academy for Eating Disorders. June 2020. Available at: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/striped/report-economic-costs-of-eating-disorders
- Hamilton A, Mitchison D, Basten C, et al. Understanding treatment delay: Perceived barriers preventing treatment-seeking for eating disorders. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 2022;56(3):248-259. doi:10.1177/00048674211020102
- Austin, A., Flynn, M., Shearer, J., Long, M., Allen, K., Mountford, V. A., Glennon, D., Grant, N., Brown, A., Franklin-Smith, M., Schelhase, M., Jones, W. R., Brady, G., Nunes, N., Connan, F., Mahony, K., Serpell, L., & Schmidt, U. (2022). The First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders – Upscaled study: Clinical outcomes. Early intervention in psychiatry, 16(1), 97–105. https://doi.org/10.1111/eip.13139
- Radunz, M., Pritchard, L., Steen, E., Williamson, P., & Wade, T. D. (2024). Addressing the gap of early intervention for eating disorders in primary health care. Early intervention in psychiatry, 18(10), 789–797. https://doi.org/10.1111/eip.13517
- Mills, R., Hyam, L., & Schmidt, U. (2023). A Narrative Review of Early Intervention for Eating Disorders: Barriers and Facilitators. Adolescent Health, Medicine and Therapeutics, 14, 217–235. https://doi.org/10.2147/AHMT.S415698
Written by Trilla Teauge
Trilla Teach is a research assistant in the Living F.R.E.E. Lab.
