Early intervention on eating disorders is best

On Tuesday, blue and green lights decorated the Pier One Imports building near downtown Fort Worth in honor of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week.

It is a beacon of hope for people with eating disorders, a way to tell them they are not alone, there are people who understand and can help.

Eating disorders affect around 30 million Americans and are the mental illness with the highest mortality rate. They are also among the most stigmatized disorders, with many myths surrounding them.

The awareness week helps bring attention not only to the disorders themselves but also the importance of early intervention.

Someone suffering with an eating disorder, especially anorexia nervosa, can hide in plain sight and usually go without treatment until his or her health has significantly deteriorated.

But it doesn’t have to stay that way. Organizations like the National Eating Disorder Association and the National Institute of Mental Health are trying to bust myths and provide hope for anyone needing help.

This story was originally published February 23, 2016 at 5:32 PM with the headline "Early intervention on eating disorders is best."