Eating disorders may remain one of the most complicated and misunderstood illnesses because of misinformation and stigmas surrounding them. Misinformation is everywhere: in the media, the entertainment industry, the wellness industry, and accepted societal beliefs to name a few. At Something for Kelly we hear common misconceptions all the time. And we also hear some misconstrued beliefs that may not be on your list of typical eating disorder myths. As we approach National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, we wanted to take this opportunity to discuss four of the common myths we hear about: 

Myth 1:  Eating disorders happen in isolation. Too many times people think of eating disorders as a singular issue. But, eating disorders do not happen in isolation. According to NAMI/Guilford, more than 40% of individuals with an eating disorder also have mood disorders (depression, anxiety, hoarding, etc.).¹  And, as we discussed in our January blog, scientists are still trying to determine which came first and how to treat the individual needs of each patient.  

Myth 2:  Eating disorders are an easy fix.  On the surface, it probably does seem to have a simple solution like just eating a snack when a person is suffering from an eating disorder. But, because there are several different types of eating disorders; and each person experiences unique symptoms, coping strategies, and corresponding mental health challenges, there is no one solution that works for everyone. For example, when someone breaks their arm, they know what caused their arm to break and they go to the hospital and the doctors know what needs to be done to fix the arm. For eating disorders, the cause or causes of the disorder are not necessarily easy to identify (nor are the solutions). The good news is that even though it may take some time, recovery is possible. Each person is different, and a treatment that may work for one person may not work for another. 

Myth 3: People who have eating disorders always have body image issues. It is true that body dissatisfaction can be caused by various things including weight stigma, trauma, culture, and/or media that supports an ultra-thin culture and often plays a role in eating disorders. But not every person with an eating disorder has body image issues. According to Joanna Dognan, PsyD, of the VA, “There is a strong link between trauma and eating disorders. For some, disordered eating can become a coping mechanism for dealing with PTSD.”² And, since disordered eating may be a coping strategy for stress, trauma, depression, and other mental health issues, only accurate diagnosis and treatment can identify the reasons associated with this behavior. 

Myth 4: Eating disorders only affect women.  People with eating disorders in the media are usually portrayed as young white females. But several studies have shown that eating disorders can affect people of all nations, ethnicity, race, color, and gender. According to NEDA, 4.07% of males in the US experience an eating disorder in their lifetime; and these numbers are increasing at a faster rate than for females.³  

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that extend far beyond the often-oversimplified explanations and misleading stereotypes. These misconceptions fuel stigma, which can discourage individuals from seeking help they need. At Something for Kelly, we continue to challenge these myths by fostering understanding, compassion, education, and outreach so that more people may understand the true complexities and nuances of these disorders. 

1  https://namiguilford.org/eating_disorders_are_often_comorbid_with_depression_and_anxiety/   
2 https://news.va.gov/134250/ptsd-and-eating-disorders/   
3 https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/statistics/#men-and-eating-disorders