Many people tend to brush aside and avoid the reality of touchy subjects.  However, the truth is that deadly eating disorders have become a very prevalent epidemic.

Not only young women, but young men all over the world suffer from issues with consumption and digestion. Former head editor of the Adams Kilt, now opinion editor at Albion College, Jordan Ravenaugh, has bravely stood up, and shared her story from her high school years.

“In the course of two months, I lost 20 pounds when I really didn’t have much weight to lose. My parents began to notice, and with my increased training, they took action immediately and forced me to up my caloric intake. It upset my mentality greatly, and I argued with them about it constantly, not realizing they were only trying to help me avoid where my path was inevitably leading me,” said Ravenaugh.

As young kids grow year by year, our mentality changes. The way we see each other, and ourselves begins to change, and for many, not for the better. Models are being praised for their perfect almost unachievable physique, which may come at a cost. It has corrupted millions of teens into accepting the “look” that should be achieved. The longer these teens have these thoughts, the deeper it affects them. For Ravenaugh these thoughts consumed her and became the most important goal above all.

“Driven by my twisted thoughts, I checked the number of steps I took each day, sometimes every few minutes. Coupled with my OCD, my eating disorder became all-consuming,” said Ravenaugh.

This is just one of the many examples of what teenagers have to deal with day by day. No school is perfect, nor can control what each student perceives is the idea of “perfect.” Adams is a loving, and kind school, but what so many students in this school deal with is heartbreaking.

“Don’t even try to starve, or deprive yourself of one meal, because then you get used to it. You fall into this downward spiral, of self hate, starving, puking, and other issues. You disassociate yourself from friends, and other social situations that involve eating, and you learn to become a master liar just because you want to be skinnier,” said Anonymous.

According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) about 30 million people in the United States suffer, and every 62 minutes at least one person dies from an eating disorder. If anyone is suffering or willing to seek out help he or she can call or contact the eating disorder hotline.

It is most important that people are aware of what happens around them and are educated. Like any disorder, so many people do not seek help; afraid of what some may think and fear, the judgement of others.