Eating Disorders
Sexual Abuse And Eating Disorders
By Lori Henry
Feb 14, 2008

Eating Disorders and sexual abuse are often experienced together.

1 out of every 4 girls in the United States will experience sexual abuse by the time she is 16.

After being diagnosed with anorexia, bulimia or compulsive overeating, a large number of individuals also reveal that they were sexually abused when they were younger.

Researchers have found that the link exists in many cases when the person feels shameful about what has happened to them and takes action by starving him/herself of her supposed “sins.”

Often these individuals also strive to make themselves disappear from the world by literally becoming smaller. They believe that in this way they can stop it from happening again.

48% of all rapes involve a young woman under the age of 18.

To begin recovering from such distress, therapists find that having the sufferer tell his or her story helps to start the healing process.

Dr. Patti Feuereisen has been working with sexual abuse survivors for over 25 years. Her book, Invisible Girls: The Truth About Sexual Abuse, brings readers into the lives of those who have suffered but who share their experience for their own healing and that of others.

The book acts as a way to, not only help the individuals recover, but to also help the public understand what they have gone through. The girl’s and women’s voices are powerful, poignant and resonant with resilience.

It also offers those who have also been through sexual abuse hope that they can heal and also motivation for them to start speaking their own voices.

This article first appeared on www.Suite101.com