This was recently posted by the Academy for Eating Disorders–based on decades of experience treating eating disorders. It directly rebuffs some of the most common myths and mis-perceptions about eating disorders. I offer it here, along with my own personal commentary (prefixed by ‘PP’); if you only have time to read one of these – read the last one, its SOOO important! And when you are done reading, sign up for the NEDA walk closest to you.
- Many people with eating disorders look healthy, yet may be extremely ill. PP: The misconception that you have to look like a skeleton to have a eating disorder can make it more difficult for sufferer’s to seek out treatment — many are told ‘ they don’t look like they have an eating disorder’; when they try to get help.
- Families are not to blame and can be the patients’ and providers best allies in treatment. PP: Unfortunately, there is still a cultural propensity to blame the parents (often the mother) when a young person is diagnosed. In reality – Moms and dads are usually their child’s strongest advocate against the eating disorders. They need support… in the same way a parent dealing with the serious illness of their child needs support.
- An eating disorder diagnosis is a health crisis that disrupts personal and family functioning. PP: Boy Howdy; they aren’t kidding. If anyone in your family has been diagnosed with a serious illness, such as cancer… you can relate.
- Eating Disorders are not choices, but serious biologically influenced illnesses. PP: Telling a sufferer to ‘get over it and just eat normally! ‘can be the equivalent of demanding that I do the splits. It isn’t that I don’t want to… but I am unable to. Hollering and demanding that the behavior change is likely only to make the sufferer feel worse about their inability to meet your demands; deepening their anxiety.
- Eating Disorders affect people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, body shapes, weights, sexual orientation and socioeconomic statuses. PP: Unfortunately many, many sufferers will not seek treatment because they don’t think EDs affect someone like them; OR they may encounter serious obstacles when seeking treatment such as: providers who don’t take them seriously (because they don’t fit the stereotype of someone with an ED): lack of available treatment in their area and/or; lack of affordable treatment.
- Eating Disorders carry an increased risk for both suicide and medical complications. PP: Have I mentioned that eating disorders SUCK?
- Genes and environment play important roles in the development of Eating Disorders.
- Genes alone do not predict who will develop eating disorders. PP: This seems a bit redundant with #7… but OK.
- Full recovery IS POSSIBLE!!! Early detection and intervention are important. PP: There is HOPE; there is life after ED!