145. Removing the Stigma of Medication in ED & HA Recovery

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Over the last decade the stigma that once existed around mental illness has decreased significantly. This is largely due to increased awareness of the prevalence of mental illness, media campaigns and prominent public figures sharing their experience with various mental health disorders.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, even as people find understanding and support for their illness, they are also subject to a host of unhelpful and stigmatizing attitudes about medication. These include:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">the implication that they’re just not trying hard enough to overcome their condition, </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">the recommendation that all they need is a certain diet, or exercise, or meditation, </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">the assumption that the cure for their condition is as simple as taking a pill.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the context of HA and ED recovery it is important to remember that eating disorders are often comorbid with other mental health conditions such as:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Anxiety disorders (Generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder etc etc)</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Depression</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Obsessive Compulsive Disorder</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">PTSD</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Substance use disorders</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Therefore this topic is very relevant to our audience and clientele - which is why we wanted to address it!</