Busting the Myths of Eating Disorders

It’s common knowledge that there is an obsession with dieting and weight loss in our culture. We glorify models and celebrities not based on their talent or intelligence, but instead on their weight and appearance. While some people and places are fighting back, it’s vital that we still have open discussions about the harmful effects of a society where being thin trumps all. This year, National Eating Disorders Awareness week is from February 22-28, and it’s the perfect time to bust some truly harmful myths about the disease that will impact 30 million people in the United States at some point in their lifetime. Myth #1: Anorexia and bulimia are the only types of eating disorders. For some, it’s hard to believe that someone has a real disease unless their symptoms are physically observable. The logic is that if it’s invisible, it can’t be that bad. This misperception is apparent when it comes to depression, migraines and headaches, diabetes, and yes, even eating disorders. While the media and pop culture would lead us to believe that eating disorders are limited to severe cases of anorexia where the person suffering is extremely underweight, the disease is as diverse as the people who live with it. And by better understanding the different types of eating disorders, we can ensure that those who are sick can get the care that they need. About 0.5-1% of American women suffer from anorexia. Its symptoms include inadequate food intake, intense fear of weight gain, and a weak body image. Bulimia Nervosa, on the other hand, is defined by a cycle of binge eating and self-induced vomiting. It affects 1-2% of adolescent and young adult women. Those struggling with bulimia are usually of average body weight. Binge eating disorder (BED), arguably the most common eating disorder in the US, is characterized by eating a very large amount of food within a relatively short period of time while feeling a loss of control. People who suffer from BED can be of normal or heavier than average weight. Lastly, the eating disorder we rarely hear about is Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED). A person with OSFED may have many of the symptoms of eating disorders, like anorexia and bulimia, but does not meet the full criteria for diagnosis of them. Someone with OSFED may be of an average body weight or overweight. Myth #2: Only teen girls get eating disorders. Eating disorders do not discriminate based on someone’s gender, age, ethnicity, or socio-economic background. Although women are more commonly diagnosed with eating disorders, 10 million men will be affected by the illness at some point over their lifetime. On the same note, research shows that there is no difference in rates of eating disorders based on racial and ethnic groups, although minorities are less likely to seek and receive help. And even though we often see eating disorders as a teen or young adult issue, rates of eating disorders and body image disorders among older women are increasing. Eating disorders also disproportionally impact segments of the LGBTQ population, possibly because of the many stressors those who identify as LGBTQ may face, such as coming out, discrimination, and violence, all of which can lead to depression, low-self esteem and unhealthy behaviors like substance abuse. These serious behavioral and mental conditions can be contributing factors in the onset of eating disorders. Myth #3: People have control over their eating disorders. People don’t choose to have eating disorders, and they aren’t a cry for attention or a phase someone is going through. Telling a person with an eating disorder to “just eat” or that they don’t need to lose weight is unhelpful and sometimes damaging. The disease may appear to be only about food or wanting to lose weight, but it has more to do with wanting control over one’s feelings, emotions, or overwhelming life circumstances. It’s much more complex than a desire to be thin. Eating disorders are multifaceted and are caused by a variety of physical, emotional, and social issues. Factors that may contribute to eating disorders include: low self-esteem, depression, genetics, troubled personal relationships, prior victimization such as physical or sexual abuse, and the aforementioned cultural pressures and norms that equate someone’s worth with their physical appearance. Instead of pressuring someone to eat, let your loved one know that you’re there for them and want to help them throughout the recovery process, whatever that may be for them. If you’re at a loss for words, simply being a good listener or telling someone who is suffering, “You’re not alone,” can make an enormous impact. Myth #4: Eating disorders are for life. There really is hope for those suffering from eating disorders, and while recovery may not happen overnight, with hard-work and the right resources, like treatment facilities, therapists, nutritionists, and a good support network, it is possible to be free of the disease. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder and doesn’t know where to go, a great first step can be calling a hotline. The National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) has both a toll-free, confidential Helpline (1-800-931-2237) and a Click-to-Chat online Helpline. Just because someone’s eating disorder doesn’t look like what we thought it would, doesn’t mean it isn’t legitimate. If you’re concerned about your friend or family member’s eating behaviors or attitudes, reach out to them—you might just save someone’s life. Read Next: Reducing the Stigma of Mental Health in the Military Let’s be friends!

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