Humans of East: Meredith Byrd

*This story details experiences of students who are struggling or have struggled with eating disorders.

Sophomore Meredith Byrd has struggled with and is currently recovering from an eating disorder. During National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, Byrd is sharing her story and giving members of the East community ways to support anyone they know who may need help.  

Q: When did you recognize that your eating disorder had developed?

”You’re kind of in denial about it for awhile, but I think around freshman year I realized.”

Q: When did you start receiving treatment?

“Off and on throughout freshman year I started seeing a therapist that deals with eating disorders.”

Q: What are setbacks you’ve experienced in your recovery?

“Body image is a huge thing for me. When you start your meal plan, you end up getting super bloated and stuff, so wearing tight clothing is hard. You also get super emotional because when you have an eating disorder, it numbs out all of your feelings. And knowing that you’re gaining weight, that’s basically set in your head. Gaining weight was a big fear of mine with the eating disorder I had, and you’re basically being forced to as a part of recovery. Eating with other people, eating out and eating at school have all been setbacks of mine.”

Q: What does your current meal plan look like?

“I have to eat three meals a day and I have three snacks, but they’re basically mini meals. So I have a bunch of meals scattered throughout the day, so I’m not eating too much all at once.”

Q: How can you be supportive of someone struggling with an eating disorder? 

“Try to avoid saying triggering things. Don’t talk about weight, don’t talk about how you’re trying to lose weight and avoid diet culture, because it’s a scam. Let them have their space, their ability to struggle and their setbacks, but also don’t force them to eat. Try to make them feel comfortable and in a safe space where they can open up and can talk about it. And if they’re literally dying, talk to their parents.”

Q: How can someone get help if they think they have an eating disorder?

“If you have a therapist, talk to your therapist about it and say, ‘I think I need more help than this.’ If you don’t have a therapist, the first step is opening up to your parents about it. Or you can reach out to aunts, uncles, grandparents or anyone that can get your parents involved or get you treatment, even if it’s a teacher or a school nurse.”

Q: It’s currently National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, what’s important for other students to know?

“Eating disorders are very common. It’s not just Anorexia and Bulimia, even though those are the two most common ones, Orthorexia is an obsession with eating healthy and there are just so many different kinds. Only 6% of the people with eating disorders are underweight, so there’s a really big chance you won’t be. Just because you aren’t underweight or dying doesn’t mean you don’t deserve help, don’t deserve to recover and don’t deserve to have a healthy relationship with food. You should reach out for help if you think you’re struggling with one — it’s worth it.”