Sir, - Having read the sensitively-written and non-sensationalised article by Kathryn Holmquist ("Eating Distress", December 4th), I attended the first Irish Eating Distress Awareness Day in Trinity College. Raising awareness of the condition and lifting the stigma surrounding it were the goals of the event and for those present it certainly achieved them.
Awareness is the first step towards prevention and when a potentially fatal condition effects approximately 14,400 people in our land, prevention strategies are most certainly called for. There was also a strong message of hope for those still suffering with eating distress and for their families and friends.
Eating distress, alcoholism, drug addiction and other addictions are endemic in our society but they are merely symptoms of much deeper personal issues. Most sufferers identify with very negative feelings of low self-worth, lack of confidence, self loathing, to name but a few. As Kathryn Holmquist wrote: "They see themselves and the world in extremely negative terms".
It is this negative pattern of thinking that needs to be identified and altered. The earlier it is identified, the earlier change can be initiated and the less likelihood there will be of addictive behaviour developing. It is simpler to mould positive attitudes in children than to change already ingrained negative attitudes in adults. Therefore, early childhood is the stage where we must take action. We must choose actions that encourage the positive feelings of self worth and self-confidence in our children. We must be aware of their sensitivity and vulnerability and help them to develop positive and healthy attitudes towards themselves, life and living. - Yours, etc.,
Orla Farrell, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14.