There are many myths about eating disorders. Some of the more common ones I hear are:
- “Eating disorders are a lifestyle choice.”
- “They are just diets gone wrong.”
- “Your weight doesn’t determines your level of distress.”
- “Eating disorders only affect teenage girls.”
- “They are a way to punish parents or seek attention.”
- “You only have eating disorder if you are underweight.”
Eating disorders can develop due to multiple factors, including genetic, social, cultural, and psychological influences. Ongoing stressors can also contribute to maintaining the illness.
They are often linked to deeper psychological factors such as trauma, anxiety, or depression. Environmental influences—such as peers, family, school, work, and social media—can shape a person’s perception of weight and appearance. Many individuals use disordered eating behaviours as coping mechanisms for emotional distress. Eating disorders can also run in families. Studies on twins suggest a higher risk of developing an eating disorder due to shared genetic factors.
One myth to address is that they can affect people of all body types, not just those who are underweight. While low body weight is a symptom of anorexia nervosa, conditions like binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa can occur in individuals with normal or higher body weights.
Many people also believe eating disorders are a “choice” or “lifestyle.” While some individuals may initially see their eating habits as a lifestyle choice, this is not the case for everyone. Many people with eating disorders seek control over their lives by regulating their food intake and weight. However, this sense of control is temporary and often leads to a cycle of distress and further restriction, making it difficult for them to face real-life challenges.
A major misconception is that eating disorders only affect specific age groups, genders, cultures, or races. In reality, eating disorders can impact anyone, though they may be more prevalent in certain groups.
Restrictive eating disorders can be mistaken for normal dieting. However, disordered eating involves extreme calorie restriction, food avoidance, or an obsession with weight loss that leads to unhealthy body weights. Unlike those on a typical diet—who aim for a healthy weight and can resume normal eating once they reach their goal—individuals with eating disorders often struggle with ongoing distress and rigid eating patterns. Binge-purge behaviours, as seen in bulimia, have no connection to normal dieting.
Early intervention significantly improves recovery outcomes. However, many individuals delay seeking help due to fear of invalidation, stigma, criticism, or rejection. As the disorder progresses, treatment becomes more complex, making early detection crucial.
Recovery varies depending on factors such as support systems (family, friends, school, healthcare), early detection, severity, duration, comorbid conditions, treatment response, and trauma history. While some individuals achieve full recovery, others may need long-term management to maintain their well-being. Regaining functionality is a significant achievement in itself.
Recovery is a slow and often frustrating process due to the relapsing nature of eating disorders. Many individuals experience anxiety about opening up or addressing their struggles. Some cases may become resistant to treatment, requiring intensive therapy or inpatient care.
Family and friends play a crucial role in recovery. They should:
- Offer non-judgmental support and avoid making critical comments about food intake.
- Understand the emotional distress behind the disorder.
- Recognise that individuals with eating disorders may avoid eating in front of others out of fear of judgment.
- Foster trust and communication while working collaboratively with clinicians.
- Support safe discharge planning for individuals returning to the community after treatment.
Over recent years, awareness has improved, leading to better access to services. However, psychiatric care should adopt a holistic approach, ensuring that comorbid eating disorders are recognised and treated early.
There is however, still a lack of awareness about binge eating disorder and atypical eating disorders, which are common but underdiagnosed. These conditions deserve more recognition and support.