Written By: Rachel Enblom, LPC
Don’t Be Shy- Let’s Talk About It!
-Only girls have eating disorders
-Only thin people struggle with eating disorders
-Eating disorders are just about food
-Eating disorders are a choice
These are just a handful of the common myths and misconceptions about eating disorders. In reality, eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that affect an estimated 9% of the U.S. population(1). 20 million women and 10 million men will have an eating disorder during their lifetime(2). Less than 6% of people with eating disorders are medically diagnosed as being “underweight”(3). Eating disorders are complex in nature and are triggered by biological, environmental, psychological, and social factors throughout one’s lifetime. Despite the misconception that eating disorders are “just about the food” and a “lifestyle choice” that can just be stopped, they are far from that. Eating disorders are life-threatening and cause severe suffering and distress in the lives of those struggling.
Although our society has made some great strides in better understanding mental health issues, we still have a ways to go. Research suggests that eating disorders are more stigmatized compared to other mental health disorders. Negative attitudes stem from the lack of education and faulty beliefs that society has formed about eating disorders. Stereotypes portrayed in social media are also culprits. This stigma increases the judgement, blame, and isolation that society places on eating disorders as an illness as well on those that are struggling. Those suffering often feel shame and embarrassment, decreasing the likelihood of seeking help. Early intervention and diagnosis are key in successful treatment, recovery, and prognosis. (4,5)
Navigating the challenges of eating disorder recovery in a society that idolizes thinness and is obsessed with diet culture is hard enough as it is. The stigmatization of eating disorders shouldn’t be an additional barrier to an individual’s ability to seek help and ultimately start their journey towards recovery. Decreasing the stigma surrounding eating disorders can start with a simple conversation.
What can we do?
Start to recognize and challenge your own assumptions about eating disorders and how they are portrayed in the world. Be curious, not judgemental!
Educate yourself and ask questions. Become aware of the warning signs and encourage those struggling to seek support.
Normalize the acceptance of all body shapes and sizes.
Be mindful of potentially harmful language. Use affirming and inclusive terms and avoid implying blame or judgment. (5,6,7)
What are some ways that you have helped to increase eating disorder awareness and promote a better understanding? (comment below!)
Why are eating disorders important to talk about?
“Because personally, I felt like it was just me and I was alone”. Talking about eating disorders and spreading awareness can help those struggling to feel seen and heard” (quoted from a client with permission).
As a recovered clinician myself, increasing awareness around eating disorders and the impact they have on those struggling is especially important to me. In honor of Eating Disorder Awareness Week, spread the word, start conversations, and continue talking about the hard things. As a society, we can work together to decrease the stigma and increase understanding of the complexity of eating disorders. The more we talk about it, the more hope and acceptance we can instill.
Recovery means ‘‘fighting for freedom from your eating disorder every single day so that you can reclaim your power as a healthy, vibrant individual” (quoted from a client with permission). Let’s continue to empower those struggling to have the necessary resources and support, so they can reclaim their power.
References
Deloitte Access Economics. The Social and Economic Cost of Eating Disorders in the United States of America: A Report for the Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders and the Academy for Eating Disorders. June 2020.(1)
National Eating Disorders Association. “Statistics”. https://staging.nationaleatingdisorders.org/statistics/ (2)
Flament, M. F., Henderson, K., Buchholz, A., Obeid, N., Nguyen, H. N., Birmingham, M., & Goldfield, G. (2015). Weight Status and DSM-5 Diagnoses of Eating Disorders in Adolescents From the Community. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 54(5), 403–411.e2. (3)
Kurdak, H., Tiyekli, E., Özcan, S., Özer, ZY., Nur Topuz, A. (2023). Eating disorders, primary care, and stigma: an analysis of research trends and patterns. Front. Psychiatry. (4)
National Eating Disorders Collaboration. “Stigma and Eating Disorders”. https://nedc.com.au/eating-disorders/eating-disorders-explained/stigma#:~:text=The%20following%20factors%20have%20been,their%20complexity%20and%2For%20severity (5)
Levine, M.P. (2017). Communication Challenges Within Eating Disorders: What People Say and What Individuals Hear. (6)
Yorke, E., Evans-Atkinson, T., & Katzman, D. K. (2021). Shared language and communicating with adolescents and young adults with eating disorders. Paediatrics & Child Health, 26(1), 8-11. (7)
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