Eating disorder group sees four dozen new patients during summer

The director of a group that provides services for people suffering from eating disorders in Newfoundland and Labrador says he is in disbelief over the number of people who need help.

"I could not believe the number of people who suffer from this illness," said Paul Thomey, executive director of Eating Disorder Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador.

"In the last two months alone, we have seen 45 new clients in our office and we know that health care are seeing huge increases as well."

People advocating for more attention to be drawn to those living in Newfoundland and Labrador with eating disorders walked around Quidi Vidi Lake Sunday, during the 6th Annual Remembering Renata Hope Always Walk put off by the foundation.

The walk is named after a young woman, Renata Withers, who died as a result of an eating disorder. Thomey said he got involved with the foundation about a year ago, at the recommendation of Renata's father Vince Withers.

Thomey added that the walk around Quidi Vidi Lake on Sunday was about raising awareness and money for EDFNL, which he says offers 19 year-round programs with a staff of four people.

More funding needed

Carla Ryan Lamb was one of about 50 people who took part in the walk. She said EDFNL have done great work in the province.

"They have done a wonderful job, we just need more funding in order to develop the programs that are needed," she said.

In February, Lamb —who lives with the self-starvation disorder anorexia and the binge-and-purge disorder bulimia— was told by an ER nurse in Clarenville to 'go get some supper."

• Eating disorder activist says system 'failed' Carla Lamb

Lamb also said she lives with the auto-immune condition Lupus, that 'clashes' with her eating disorders.

Catching early warning signs

Thomey told CBC News that it is important to get help early for anyone who suspects that they, or someone they know, could be dealing with the physical and mental signs of an eating disorder.

"Early signs can range from a desire to stay away from food to a lot of weight loss to many other issues," Thomey said.

"Eating disorders are a mental illness that in a lot of cases if [they are not] treated early can lead to death," he said.

Thomey added that eating disorders affect a spectrum of ages, including the young, the middle aged and the older of society, saying that about 20 per cent of cases are male.