The purpose of this website is to increase awareness and understanding about eating disorders, specifically in the region of Atlantic Canada. In the Atlantic provinces there is a serious lack of specialized treatment options for individuals suffering from eating disorders, despite the fact that they are the deadliest psychiatric illnesses. In Prince Edward Island, for example, there are no treatment options or mental health professionals that cater specifically to eating disorder patients. Given the complex nature of these illnesses and their reputation as notoriously difficult to treat, it is absolutely vital to have at least one specialist (with training and experience dealing with these patients).



The social stigma that still pervades the issue of eating disorders is crippling for people who are suffering and feel unable to ask for help. Eating disorders are too prevalent to be a "taboo" issue - not talking about them only serves to further spread the stigma and misunderstanding of how these disorders work. I hope that you will read through the information on this website and follow the links to all sorts of eye-opening information about the nature of eating disorders, how to spot the early signs, and most importantly how to treat eating disordered individuals with compassion. These people are just as validly ill as anyone with depression or schizophrenia; it is not a choice they made, and they are not enjoying themselves. Negative attitudes towards people suffering with eating disorders are entirely the result of misinformation and misconceptions about the illness - I want to share with you the truth about these illnesses in hopes of combatting that stigma. 



I did not make this website with the intention of bashing the healthcare system in eastern Canada. Rather, I am hoping to make a variety of really great information available to the healthcare professionals in the maritimes - especially those who are faced with helping patients with eating disorders and feel unequipped or unsure about how best to help them. If you are a clinician who has had a patient with an ED, I urge you to please take a look at the "For Health Professionals" section, and the links and resources I've included there. 



Lastly, no website or video online is in any way a substitute for medical/mental health professionals and treatment. If you or a loved one are struggling with disordered eating, please don't delay in seeking help as soon as possible. I am happy to answer any and all emails/inquiries to the best of my abilities, but I am not a treatment specialist and helping in that way is not something I am qualified to do. I do look forward to eventually being able to treat eating disorders at the end of my (very long) academic career! However, please don't misconstrue the information on this or any other website as an appropriate substitute for real, face-to-face treatment. 

Thanks and love,

Natalie

(nsullivan@upei.ca)