With the last week of February into the first week of March being Eating Disorder Awareness week, it’s important to raise awareness about some of the mental health conditions with some of the highest mortality rates. With awareness comes the importance of knowledge; we need to know about something to be aware. On the other side of the coin, it is also important to be able to spot misinformation and misconceptions.
So, let’s talk about Eating Disorder myths!
There are many misconceptions about Eating Disorders in everyday life. Let’s name a few:
Common Misconceptions or Myths about Eating Disorders (EDs):
EDs developed because people are too focused on how they look. They are vain.
You can “tell” someone has an ED by their body type/how they look.
Someone with an ED “just needs to eat!”
Only people in smaller bodies can have EDs.
The only EDs that exist really are Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa.
EDs are about food or someone’s body.
Let’s break these misconceptions and myths down a little more!
First, EDs develop for a variety of reasons. This includes trying to cope with traumatic experiences, desires for control in chaotic environments, family/generational patterns of conditional acceptance, and attempts to “fit” societal norms and molds.
You cannot tell if someone has an ED by their appearance. EDs by nature primarily involve behaviors, in addition to mental, emotional, and cognitive symptoms. Other than some behaviors, you cannot typically “see” an ED.
If treatment for an ED involved “just eating,” there wouldn’t be much need for eating disorder recovery centers! There are underlying root causes that go beyond “just eating.”
People who have EDs come in all body shapes and sizes. Someone's body shape does not dictate whether or not their experience with an ED is valid.
There are a variety of ED diagnoses, ranging from Pica to ARFID, and these diagnoses have various presentations. One person’s experience with Bulimia Nervosa may vary extensively from another person’s experience.
EDs are never just about food or a body. There are usually several underlying reasons why someone turns to ED behaviors.
What if I or someone I love may have an Eating Disorder?
If you suspect that you or someone you know may have an Eating Disorder, there are resources you can connect to and with who can better help you or your loved one’s situation.
It can be hard to have a conversation with yourself or with another person about your suspicions of an ED. It’s important to remember that ultimately, the person with the ED must want the help. So, knowledge is your best resource!
If you want to learn more about EDs, ED assessment, treatment, and recovery check out these resources:
Alsana, Birmingham’s Resources Section
NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association)
Recommended Reading from Eating Recovery Center
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Full Well Neurofeedback and Counseling also provides several services that can be a part of your or your loved one’s eating disorder recovery journey. From trauma-informed yoga groups to HAES-informed, body positive clinicians, we offer services that can be a part of your recovery journey. Reach out to us to learn more!
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