National Eating Disorder Awareness Week Begins
The slogan for this year's Nation Eating Disorder Awareness Week is "I had no idea." USC senior Lael Feldman said she had no idea that an eating disorder would take over her life when she first developed one at only 12 years old.
A pop music major, Feldman turned to music as an outlet to cope. She says her recovery is an ongoing process that never really ends.
According to the National Eating Disorder Association, finding someone with an eating disorder is more common than finding someone with green eyes. They say that 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from a disorder at some point in their lives.
The USC Student Health Center offers individual and group counseling, pyschiatric consultation and medical services.
Students on campus have mixed opinions on body image. Some feel that body image is a big deal at USC and there's a lot of pressure put on looks in Los Angeles.
"Every time you talk about it and share with someone, the secret and the shame lighten," said Feldman.
In Feldman's mind, half the battle is simply raising your voice.
If you are or someone you know is suffering an eating disorder at USC, you can find out about treatment options at the USC Engemann Student Health Center.