Eating Disorders – Myths

Last week was Eating Disorders Awareness Week, so we thought we’d focus on some of the myths surrounding eating disorders. Most people have heard of anorexia and bulimia, but many don’t know about BED (binge eating disorder) or the many myths about eating disorders.

What is an eating disorder?

An eating disorder (ED) is a bio/psycho/social disease caused by both genetic and environmental factors. You might be genetically predisposed to have an eating disorder but without the right combination of psycho and social triggers, you aren’t likely to develop a full blown eating disorder. There are many factors that come into play during the process, but eating disorders are not a phase of development, a social fad or a lifestyle choice.

Eating disorders are serious and dangerous illnesses that need to be treated as soon as possible. With treatment a cure is possible.

Those are the facts, now here are the myths about eating disorders.

Eating Disorders – Myths

Only girls get eating disorders

It is true that more female develop eating disorders over their lifetime, 1 in 4 of those who suffer from an eating disorder is male and that number may be underreported.

Only thin people have eating disorders

In fact, many people who are average size or larger suffer from eating disorders like bulimia and binge eating disorder. An eating disorder is not determined by the number on the scale or the size dress someone wears. An eating disorder is about a person’s relationship to food and whether it is healthy or not.

Eating disorders are about food

You can’t simply cure the eating disorder by forcing someone to eat (or stop eating with binge eating disorder). Eating disorders have very complex causes, usually involving repression and avoidance of difficult feelings and emotions. Eating disorders are more closely related to PTSD than they are to being picky about food.

People choose to develop eating disorders

While it is true there are many websites out there for people who want to develop an eating disorder, an ED is not something that can be switched on like a light switch. Many people may experiment with behaviors related to eating disorders, but without the right psycho/social/environmental triggers one is not likely to develop.

Only rich people get eating disorders

Eating disorders know no socioeconomic bounds. People from any background can develop an eating disorder. People with eating disorders come from all social, racial, religious backgrounds.

The truth about eating disorders is that they are complex diseases that need intervention. If you are suffering from an eating disorder, or know someone who is please seek help. You can call Locus Therapy for more information about treatment for eating disorders in Chicago.