Eating Disorders Myths Continued

Myth Three: All people with Eating Disorders are really skinny

Incorrect. It's possible to be overweight, or a normal weight, and to be experiencing an Eating Disorder. Eating Disorders are demonstrated by a person's thoughts, behaviours and feelings, and not their appearance. Even if a person looks entirely healthy, if they restrict their food with strict rules, obsess over their weight, compare themselves unfavourably to other people, feel guilty when they eat, feel fat, exercise excessively or binge in private, that person has an Eating Disorder.

Myth Four: If the person would just eat something, they'd be fine

It's a common myth that you can cure an individual with Anorexia Nervosa if you could persuade them to eat a cheese sandwich. But that is a myth. Eating Disorders are not merely, about food and the need to control food. Eating Disorders occur when a patient uses food as a coping mechanism to deal with complex underlying issues. These issues won't go away because you've persuaded the patient to eat something. They must be discussed with a fully-qualified therapist.

Myth Five: Eating disorders are a fad. They'll go away if we ignore them.

Ignoring an Eating Disorder is like ignoring a rhinoceros that charges through your living room, destroying your furniture. It can cause lasting damage. Eating Disorders aren't just a fad and they won't go away. You can't ignore it, like an ill-advised tattoo. Eating Disorders are the most deadly of all mental health disorders. 4% of all individuals with Anorexia Nervosa, and 3,9% of patients with Bulimia Nervosa, will die because of it.

Myth Six: There's no such thing as too much exercise

No-one is disputing the fact that moderate exercise is good for you. When an individual with an Eating Disorder exercises, however, they can do so for hours without adequate nutrition. This excessive approach to exercise leaves the individual susceptible to amenorrhea (absent periods), as well as crippling diseases such as osteoporosis, arthritis, and dangerous heart disease.

READ Eating Disorders (Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge Eating) Among Males Becoming Common

Myth Seven: Once the person is back to a normal weight, they're cured

"Curing" an Eating Disorder is not as simple as feeding the patient until they're a normal weight and then sending them back to work. Regaining weight is an important part of recovery, but the patient must also engage which appropriate psychological therapist, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which aims to replace the maladaptive thought processes and replace them with healthy ones. Eating Disorders are highly complex and treatment can last for months, even once a healthy weight has been achieved.

Do You Think You Have an Eating Disorder?

Have you realised that you may have an Eating Disorder? Realising it may be the first step to beating your disorder and reaching for good health. If you're having trouble, contact your primary care physician. They can refer you to a reputable therapist. Alternatively, use the American Psychological Association's Psychologist Locator (USA) or the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists' online directory (UK), and search for a therapist who specialises in Eating Disorders.

A competent therapist can help start you on the road to recovery.