MYTHS ABOUT EATING DISORDERS
Myth #1: You have to be underweight to have an eating disorder.
Individuals with eating disorders are of average weight or are overweight. People with eating disorders come in all shapes and sizes.
Myth #2: Only young women and teenage girls are affected by eating disorders.
While eating disorders are most common in young women they are also found in men and women of all ages and can occur at any time.
Myth #3: People with eating disorders are vain.
It’s not vanity that drives people with eating disorders to follow extreme diets and obsess over their bodies, but rather an attempt to deal with feelings of shame, anxiety, and powerlessness.
Myth #4: Eating disorders aren’t really that dangerous.
All eating disorders can lead to irreversible and life-threatening health problems, such as heart disease, bone loss, infertility, and kidney damage.
Myth #5: An individual cannot suffer from more than one eating disorder.
Many people have more than one eating disorder. It is very common for someone to suffer with more than one eating disorder.
Myth #6: Myth: Only overweight or underweight people suffer from eating disorders.
You just can not say if an individual has an eating disorder just by looking at an individual’s weight, size or even body shape.
Myth #7: Bulimics always purge by vomiting.
Not all bulimics try to rid themselves of the calories they have consumed by vomiting. Purging can take the form of laxatives, diuretics, exercising, or fasting to get rid of calories.
Myth #8: Bulimia is not life threatening.
All eating disorders can result in death if not treated in time and not treated properly. Individuals who suffer from Bulimia mostly die from cardiac arrest and ruptured esophagus. Cardiac arrest can happen because the electrolytes go out of balance and potassium levels are low and a ruptured esophagus due to vomiting in excess.
Myth #9: Eating disorders are only a problem with food.
With all eating disorders, weight is the focus of life. By focusing on food, weight and calories, a person is able to block out or numb painful feelings and emotions. Some use food as a way to comfort themselves or escape. Eating disorders are NOT a problem with food. They are in fact only a symptom of underlying problems.
Myth #10: Compulsive eating or is not an eating disorder.
It is very much an eating disorder and is just as serious as anorexia and bulimia.
Myth #11: Compulsive eaters are just lazy people.
Compulsive eating is a coping mechanism just like anorexia and bulimia are. A person uses food as a way to comfort or numb themselves, escape and block out feelings or emotions. They need the right treatment to overcome it.
Myth #12: Complete recovery from an eating disorder is not possible.
With the proper treatment, with support from your family members and a lot of hard work recovery is possible and you can fully recover from your eating disorder.
