Stop Stigma. Start Care.

 Author: Lokadia Sims, MA, CCC 

Stigma keeps people stuck and prevents those struggling with disordered eating behaviours from reaching out for support. Messages that are spoken out loud by others or absorbed from the world around us can become internal beliefs like: “I should be able to handle this on my own,” “other people have it worse,” “I don’t want to be seen as dramatic,” or “what if I’m overreacting?”

Over time, this reinforces the idea that struggling is only valid when it becomes extreme. The eating disorder latches onto this messaging, repeating the narrative that things are not “bad enough yet.” As a result, people delay getting support, and patterns often become more entrenched: thoughts intensify, binge–restrict cycles become more automatic, avoidance becomes harder to interrupt, negative self-talk becomes more believable, and the nervous system becomes more dysregulated.

What may have started as a coping strategy gradually becomes harder to step away from, while the belief that it is still “not bad enough” remains firmly in place.

One of the biggest barriers to getting help is still being able to function. From the outside, nothing may look wrong—but internally, there is often overwhelm, exhaustion from constant mental management, and feeling stuck in cycles that don’t shift, no matter how hard you try.

In this space, it becomes easy to convince yourself that you don’t qualify for support because you’re “fine.” But what if “fine” isn’t the goal? What if you could feel like yourself again? What if things could feel lighter, less consuming, and more manageable?

Reaching out before things hit a crisis point can feel uncomfortable, but it is important. We don’t usually question seeking help early for physical health, or wait for a small injury to become severe before treating it—so why do we wait for things to get worse before addressing an eating disorder?

Mental health deserves the same standard of care.

Taking action is a way of supporting yourself regardless of how “bad things are” and before they escalate further. Instead of asking, “Is this bad enough?” try asking:

• Is this impacting my quality of life?

• Am I spending a lot of energy managing this?

• Would support make this easier to navigate?

If the answer is yes—even in small ways—that is enough.

Stigma tells you to wait. It encourages minimizing, comparison, and handling things alone. Care asks something different. It invites you to respond earlier, to get curious instead of critical, and to let support be part of the process—not a last resort.

Taking action now is not dramatic. It is intentional. It is supportive. It is compassionate.

Stop Stigma. Start Care.