For most people, class parties, birthday parties and meals out with family come with happy and comforting connotations. For others like Taiye Joseph, junior, these events bring fear.

“My intentions [before entering high school] weren’t to have an eating disorder,” Joseph said. “It started out because I wanted to be healthy, be fit and have a change. At first, I was eating healthier and then I noticed all the weight I was losing. I liked that. Then, it kept going downhill from there.”

Joseph has since recovered from her struggle with anorexia nervosa by going to treatment at McCallum Place in Webster Groves. She serves as an example that eating disorders can happen to anybody.

In honor of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, here are nine warning signs to look for if you or someone you know might be suffering from an eating disorder.

“A lot of people didn’t know what to say,” Joseph said. “They’d just look at me and stare. If my friends had knew what was going on I probably would’ve gotten help way sooner.”

“This week means a lot to me because it represents all the people I’ve met, and gone through recovery for eating disorders with,” Joseph said. “It reminds me of what I’ve gone through.”

Before cutting the calories for a swimsuit or a spring break trip, talk to your doctor or a KHS health teacher. Shaping up can be awesome, just do so with caution. 

If you or someone you know is in trouble with an eating disorder, talk to someone and get help. You are uniquely beautiful, and there is hope for you.

National Eating Disorders (NEDA) Helpline: available Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

NEDA phone number: (800) 931 – 2237

Craig Dickinson, health teacher: [email protected], Health room