Breaking Down Barriers: Kerry Washington's Powerful Message on Eating Disorders
Washington's Personal Journey
Kerry Washington has been open about her struggles with eating disorders for years, but in this conversation, she delved deeper into the complexities of recovery. She described periods of bingeing, extreme restriction, and compulsive exercise, and emphasized that recovery is not a destination, but an ongoing process. 'When I'm in recovery, my disease is outside, doing push-ups waiting for me,' she said.
The Importance of Reducing Shame
Washington stressed the need to reduce shame and secrecy surrounding eating disorders, which can prevent people from seeking help. She noted that experts agree that these conditions affect people across genders and racial groups, and that a substantial share of people with eating disorders are people of color. 'So much of what allows eating disorders to thrive is the shame and the secrecy,' she said.
Expanding Access to Treatment
As an advisor and investor for Equip Health, Washington emphasized the need to widen access to treatment and challenge stereotypes about who develops eating disorders. She encouraged clinicians and the public to broaden their view of who is affected and to disrupt assumptions that delay diagnosis and care.
Recovery as a Lifelong Practice
Washington tied recovery to a fuller life beyond appearance, saying that staying healthy is now 'about fully living and having my life be about more than just what's in the mirror and what I'm putting in my mouth.' She emphasized that recovery is not a single cure, but an ongoing process that requires daily effort.
Kerry Washington's powerful message on eating disorders serves as a reminder that recovery is possible, but it requires a willingness to confront shame and secrecy. By expanding access to treatment and challenging stereotypes, we can create a more supportive environment for those struggling with these conditions. As Washington so eloquently put it, 'Healing is ongoing, not a destination.'
