Misconceptions About Eating Disorders

Eating disorders… What are they really?

Eating disorders are very complex. They are difficult to understand for most who have not been diagnosed with one, themselves. 

That’s why I’m here to tell you what eating disorders are not. 

There are so many generalizations, misconceptions, and stereotypes about eating disorders that are all completely FALSE!

To begin…

Misconception #1: You need to be underweight in order to be suffering from an eating disorder. 

This could not be ANY. FURTHER. FROM. THE. TRUTH. Most people diagnosed with eating disorders actually fall within the “normal” weight category, sometimes even in the “overweight” percentile. You do not need to be underweight in order to be diagnosed with an eating disorder. Just because one with an eating disorder is not emaciated does not mean that they are not very sick and in desperate need of professional help.

Misconception #2: Eating disorders are a choice.

Eating disorders are not solely caused by family or friends. Eating disorders are NOT a choice. Eating disorders actually have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness and should not be taken lightly. Eating disorders have many influential factors such as genetics, brain chemistry, the environment, one’s culture, and the media. If you have an eating disorder, you need professional help. It is not a phase or a fad and at most times will not go away on its own.

Misconception #3: Purging only includes self-induced vomiting.

The definition of purging, according to dictionary.com, is (1) having a clearing, emptying, purifying effect, (2) having to do with deliberate or self-induced vomiting or evacuation of the bowels.

Purging is not limited to self-induced vomiting. The second form of purging is laxative abuse. Laxative abuse and self-induced vomiting have the same end goal: to empty oneself’s stomach in a harmful way. Not many people know, but laxative abuse is a form of bulimia and often goes unnoticed. 

Misconception #4: Only females can suffer from eating disorders.

Eating disorders do not discriminate. Eating disorders are common among teens and men, however they are not in the public eye. For this reason, many men struggle with their eating disorders in silence. About 1 in 3 people who suffer from an eating disorder is a male.  Men are very reluctant to admit that they have an eating disorder since eating disorders are commonly identified to be women’s issues. 

Misconception #5: Recovery from eating disorders is rare.

Recovery is not easy. Recovery is even more difficult for those suffering in silence and not getting the help that they need to aid in their recovery process. With treatment, recovery is possible. It is important to know that the duration, type, and place of treatment, as well as one’s recovery journey look different for everyone. 

Misconception #6: You can tell if someone has an eating disorder just by looking at them.

Eating disorders are not one size fits all. 

You can’t say, “that person looks very thin, they must have an eating disorder.”

You also can’t say, “that person looks normal, they must not have an eating disorder.”

You cannot assume the status of one’s relationship with food and body just by looking at them. 

You cannot tell what illness one may have, physical or mental, just by looking at them.