Katie Couric Opens Up About Her Eating Disorder
Katie Couric's new memoir, "Going There," touches upon the eating disorder she struggled with for years, and she recently discussed the topic with People. "Like so many women of our generation, I aspired to be thin and lanky and all the things I'm not. I think back on my formative years when Twiggy was all the rage and that period of time in the '60s. And there seemed to be an ideal body type, which was extremely thin."
According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, 28.8 million Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetimes, making it one of the deadliest mental illnesses. With 10,200 deaths every year, that come about as a direct result of this mental illness, its second only to opioid overdose.
"I think there was an aspect of perfectionism and high achieving that was very much a part of our family, and that contributed to my discontent about my body," the journalist continued.
Katie Couric dealt with bulimia in college and beyond
Katie Couric shared that her bulimia started when she was a teenager and ended when she realized its effects. "I really just started to understand how dangerous it was."
Couric previously opened up about her bulimia on "Katie" in 2012. "I wrestled with bulimia all through college and for two years after that. And I know this rigidity, this feeling that if you eat one thing that's wrong, you're full of self-loathing, and then you punish yourself, whether it's one cookie or a stick of gum that isn't sugarless, that I would sometimes beat myself up for that ... How do you have a healthy relationship with food, and say, 'You know what, I can have one cookie and it's okay?' That is such a huge thing for people who wrestle with this" (via ABCNews.com).
Now, she has two daughters, 25-year-old Carrie and 30-year-old Ellie, and while she says "some of [her] own neuroses were channeled to them," she tries to "emphasize healthy eating and taking care of yourself." Her new book, "Going There," which she says is "a gift"to her daughters, will release on October 26 (via People).
If you are struggling with an eating disorder, or know someone who is, help is available. Visit the National Eating Disorders Association website or contact NEDA's Live Helpline at 1-800-931-2237. You can also receive 24/7 Crisis Support via text (send NEDA to 741-741).