Myths About Eating Disorders Everyone Should Know About

Like other mental health problems, there are countless myths circulated about eating disorders that can endanger the health of those suffering from them and prevent them from seeking help.

Eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder, are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can occur in people of every age, sex, gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic group. According to research conducted by the National Eating Disorder Association, as many as 30 million people suffer from an eating disorder in the U.S. alone. Worldwide estimates suggest there are more than 70 million people worldwide that suffer from one of these disorders.

These figures, however, are considered to be underestimates as they are based on who presents for treatment. Yet we know that many people who have an eating disorder refuse to get help. This is usually because they don’t see their condition as a problem or because of shame, embarrassment or confusion as to what their symptoms mean.

The exact causes of eating disorder have yet to be determined but a growing body of research suggests that these difficulties are caused by an interaction of genetic, biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. However, the contribution of each cause will differ for every individual just as the way their disorder affects them will vary.

As with other psychological illnesses, there are a number of misconceptions about Eating disorders. These misconceptions can lead to stigma, mistreatment, and prejudice against those who have these conditions, and further discourage them from seeking the help they need and deserve.

Myths About Eating Disorders

Myth: If they don’t have one of the disorders in either the DSM or ICD manuals, they don’t really have a problem

This is something that applies not just to eating disorders but to all disorders and conditions. The DSM or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5th Edition, is the predominant method used by mental health professionals in the U.S. and several other countries to classify mental disorders. It is published by the American Psychiatric Association. The ICD-10 or the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems was created by the World Health Organization. It is used more widely across the world, especially in WHO member countries.

These diagnostic manuals and others like them are very carefully constructed based on extensive research efforts and updated regularly. They provide a great deal of help in identifying and providing treatment implications for eating disorders as well as other mental disorders..

Yet just because a person doesn’t meet the criteria set forth in one of the these systems for eating disorders, it does not mean they do not have a very real problem. When we get caught up in terminology like “disorder,” “criteria,” “diagnosis,” and the like, we forget that those we are talking about are people who come with their own individual characteristics, ways of expressing distress, and manner of interacting with and responding to their world.

Everyone experiences psychological distress differently. If someone is legitimately suffering or their life is being negatively affected by their eating behavior it doesn’t matter if they fit into the criteria that provides a diagnosis. It doesn’t matter if you call it a disorder or not. Someone who is in pain is in pain no matter what the criteria say and they deserve to get help, feel better and re-establish a happy, productive life.

Myth: Eating Disorders aren’t real, they’re a choice.

So many psychological problems are believed to be a matter of choice on the individual’s part. Those things that most of us have under control, we tend to believe that others are also capable of keeping under control. Habit disorders, addiction, and eating disorders fall under this assumption.

“I have no problem having a couple of glasses of wine then calling it quits. Sometimes I’d like to drink more but I know it isn’t good for me and I don’t. It’s just a matter of choosing not to do it.”

This type of thinking often characterizes the way people think about others who are suffering from eating disorders.

“No one is driven not to eat, it’s automatic. They have to be doing it on purpose!”

“Anyone who’s starving would obviously want to eat. If they aren’t it just means they’re being stubborn!”

“There’s nothing wrong with them. They’re just trying to get attention!”

Unfortunately, these types of assumptions often lead to anger and rejection, two things a person suffering from an eating disorder doesn’t need. Eating disorders are very real problems. They may sometimes begin with a choice, such as the decision to go on a diet. But they develop into something very unhealthy and potentially life threatening. This is often precipitated by delusional beliefs about weight, their health, and the effects of their behavior.

Over the long term the effects of starving the body, alternating between binging and purging, chronic unbalanced electrolytes or frequent fluctuations in weight can negatively impact executive functions in the brain leading to poorer judgement, insight and an increase in delusional thinking.

Additionally, decades of research show genetic and biological factors increase the risk of developing an eating disorder, which is further evidence they are not just something that the person can choose to do differently.

Myth: Eating Disorders Are Caused By The Parents

Traditionally, parents, especially mothers who at one point were blamed for every problem a child had, were believed to cause eating disorders. Yet research has shown that this is not the case. There have been numerous reports published to document this from many world wide organizations such as the the Academy for Eating Disorders, the American Psychiatric Association, and NEDA.

Eating disorders have a strong biological foundation which is acted upon by the child’s environment. Parents can possibly contribute to the development of eating disorders depending on the child’s physiological predispositions and the manner in which parent model and handle eating related behavior. But there is no single set of rules that parents can follow to guarantee that an eating disorder doesn’t develop in their child.

It is more often the case that parents help their child decide to get help and support their efforts to recover. They can help in the recovery process as it is clear that those who have strong family support and whose families are involved in the treatment process do better than those who don’t have these resources.

Myth: Only Girls Have Eating Disorders

Although eating disorders are more common in females, the recent literature has documented that there are a growing number of males and non-binary people who are presenting with eating disorders. Research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2007 determined that as many as a third of all those suffering from eating disorders are male.

These results are again likely to be underestimates as the stigma associated with having an eating disorder in a male is even greater than that associated with being female. This means males are even less likely than females to seek help.

Specific occupations and hobbies put both males and females at risk for developing an eating disorder. For example, gymnastics, running, bodybuilding, rowing, wrestling, horse racing, dancing, and swimming are activities that require greater weight limitations than others. Although this affects both genders, males are more likely to participate in hobbies or occupations in which performance is affected by weight and body image.

Another study conducted by Diemer (2015), found that transgender undergraduates were the group most likely to have been diagnosed with an eating disorder over the previous year.

It isn’t clear at this time whether eating disorders in males and those in the transgender population are truly increasing or if there more of these individuals are choosing to seek treatment. Hopefully, greater awareness has contributed to better diagnosis for these populations and an increased likelihood that these individuals will seeking help.

Myth: As Long as Someone Isn’t Emaciated, They Aren’t Really Sick.

This is one of the most dangerous myths about eating disorders. The fact is that most people with an eating disorder are not underweight. This is a misconception that is largely created by the media sensationalizing eating disorders.

You cannot tell if someone has an eating disorder just by looking at them. Those with Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder are often average or even above average weight. Yet the compensatory behaviors they engage in can cause extremely serious and sometimes life threatening symptoms such as electrolyte imbalance and heart arrhythmia. A person can be suffering from an eating disorder at any weight and you don’t have to be incredibly thin to have very serious medical complications.

Myth: Young Children Can’t Develop Eating Disorders.

Research and clinical studies have shown that eating disorder exist in children as young as five or six years old. There is also an indication that these disorders are being diagnosed more frequently in young children.

Specialists are reporting that many of their patients report maladaptive eating related thoughts and behaviors began much earlier than family members realized. It isn’t clear currently whether children are developing eating disorders at younger ages or if greater awareness of these problems is leading to better recognition.

Myth: Since eating disorders are so strongly determined by biology, there’s not much anyone can do to cure them.

It’s important to remember that biology isn’t destiny. There is always hope for recovery. Although biological factors play a large role in the onset of eating disorders, they are not the only factors. Family awareness and family therapy to help support the person suffering from the disorder has been shown to help, especially in preventing relapse. Cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness meditation, coping skills training, emotion management, and stress prevention techniques have also been shown to help with many of the symptoms of eating disorders.

Sometimes medications are useful in helping to reduce the emotional symptoms at the beginning of therapy until the individual learns other ways of coping with them. As with any type of problem early intervention is key. With the proper treatment, a complete recovery is possible.

Takeaway

It is important that everyone understands the facts eating disorders and other mental health issues. Greater knowledge and awareness lead to more acceptance, less stigma and more support of those suffering from these disorders. It can also improve prevention, early diagnosis and encourage those who have these disorders to seek help.

Natalie C. Frank has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. Her area of specialization is pediatrics and behavioral medicine.

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