Nine-month-old Benjamin looks up at his mother. Vilde Bratland Hansen (29) picks up his son and holds him close to him. Ten years ago, her doctor told her she would never be able to have children if she didn’t seek help to recover from her eating disorder. Her body was so ravaged that she was about to become brittle as a nineteen-year-old. Benjamin eagerly follows what is happening in the neighbourhood. Photo: Live Wold / news – I don’t think I fully realized it until he was lying on my chest. It was not a matter of course that this would work, she says. Few ask for help A new survey shows that despite the fact that many struggle with food and body, few ask for help. Villa Sult – institute for eating disorders – is behind the survey. Over a thousand people around the country were asked, and these are the results: 1 in 7 has had, or has, an eating disorder Only 1 in 6 asks for help to get well. 6 out of 10 consider eating disorders to be a serious social problem About the survey It is Opinion that has carried out the survey on behalf of Villa Sult – institute for eating disorders. The aim has been to survey experiences, knowledge and myths about eating disorders in the Norwegian population. 1101 people have been asked across the country through an online questionnaire. In addition, eight in-depth interviews were conducted with healthcare personnel. Both men and women are asked between the ages of 15 and 60. The survey was carried out through the summer of 2023. – I think that this emphasizes again that this is a phenomenon that many people struggle with, says Øyvind Rø. He is research leader at the regional section for eating disorders at Ullevål Hospital. For over 25 years, he has worked with eating disorders among adults. Research leader and professor at the University of Oslo, Øyvind Rø. Photo: Bård Nafstad / news – So it is important to emphasize that even if this is revealed in a survey, there are many people who are preoccupied with the body, exercise and food in an unfortunate way, without it being a definable psychiatric disorder, he says. During the pandemic, there was a sharp increase in eating disorders in young girls. Children under the age of ten were admitted with severe eating disorders. The disease affected both boys and girls. Oatmeal with a teaspoon It started when Vilde couldn’t find the zipper on a dress she was supposed to wear to high school. Suddenly all thought went to food, calories and exercise. Wilde lost weight. She was selected for the junior national team in handball, but eventually had nothing more to give. Wild during the handball junior EC. Photo: Private – I remember my sister saying “Wild, you eat oatmeal with a teaspoon.” I want my sister back,” as she cried, says Vilde. Still, she wouldn’t admit she had a problem. Her mother had repeatedly warned her that having children in the future would be difficult if she continued. Vilde thought those were empty threats. But when the same message came from the doctor, she realized it was serious. – Was this what I wanted for my life, I asked myself, says Vilde. She asked for help, and that was the start of a long battle against the eating disorder. More than anorexia Bente Sommerfeldt is professional director at Villa Sult. They are the ones behind the figures in the survey. Bente Sommerfeldt, clinical specialist in psychology, believes it is disturbing that so few ask for help to treat the eating disorder. Photo: Rolf Petter Olaisen / news She is worried that so many are struggling. – These are high numbers. About fifteen percent of the Norwegian population can identify with one or another form of eating disorder. She points out that there are more eating disorders than anorexia and low weight. – Bulimia is probably the most hidden. Then we have binge eating disorder, which is the forgotten form, she explains. Sommerfeldt finds it disturbing that so few ask for help. Villa Sult is a private, non-profit foundation, which provides an offer to people who struggle with eating disorders and their relatives. Photo: Rolf Petter Olaisen / news She thinks many people are ashamed because they show a “perfect” life on the outside. Others have experienced being told that they are not sick enough, or that they will outgrow it. – Some may think that they must be very ill before they get help. This is wrong. We need to lower the thresholds to both seek out and get help, she says. Life on For five years, the eating disorder was Vilde’s whole life. It took about seven years to fully recover. Psychologist classes, yoga, and daring to feel bad feelings and not numb them out, were what would make her healthy. When she found out she was pregnant, she was afraid the eating disorder would return. Vilde helps Benjamin to walk, until he has to learn to do it completely on his own. Photo: Live Wold / news To her surprise, she thrived on the changes her body went through. – It was incredible to see that my body was able to make another person, despite being ill for many years, she says. Wilde lifts Benjamin onto two legs and helps him take a few careful steps across the living room floor. – I hope it gives hope to others who are in this situation now. It is possible to recover if you put in the effort and dare to ask for help, she says. Need someone to talk to? If you need someone to talk to, you can use one of these low-threshold services: Mental Health Helpline: Call 116 123 or write to sidetmedord.no. Press 2 for parent support and press 3 for the student telephone on the same number. Mental Health Youth: Chat service at www.mhu.no on Monday to Thursday 18-21. The service is aimed at young adults (18-35 years). Kirkens SOS: Call 22 40 00 40 or write to soschat.no or meldinger.kirkens-sos.no. Cross on the neck: Call 800 333 21 or write to korspaahalsen.rodekors.no. The service is offered by the Red Cross and is for you under 18 years of age. Acute suicide risk? Call 113 when it is urgent and your life is at stake. Call the emergency room on tel. 116117 for immediate assistance. You can also talk to your GP.
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Anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder – many struggle with eating disorders – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
