Eating disorders are one of the commonly misunderstood eating disorders out there. Due to the misunderstanding, there have been several stereotypes and misconceptions that have been brought to the light. I am here to discuss five of them. If you or anyone you know has fallen victim to these stereotypes, please share this with the world. This is an issue that needs awareness. This article is meant to help you know that you are not alone and that this is real.
1. You have to be skinny.
Not everybody has the side effect of weight loss. Those who don't experience visible results often feel even worse. I have certainly become a personal victim, in this case. I have never been able to see results and it just crushed me each day to know my efforts were not helping.
2. You have to starve.
Not all eating disorders are a result of starvation. Binge-eating disorder is a serious eating disorder in which you frequently consume unusually large amounts of food and feel unable to stop eating. For instance, in my past, it was either eat too little and people would notice, or stuff myself to the point of guilt just to make others happy. There was no happy medium.
3. You're just picky.
NO. NO. NO. Eating disorders are classified as mental health disorders and are to be taken seriously. An eating disorder is not a lifestyle choice that most people choose to have. I wish it was just as easy as being picky.
4. You just want attention.
Definitely not. More than half the time, people with eating disorders try their best to hide this fact from their peers. While some are easier to hide than others, it crushes you when people begin to notice. I have most definitely tried to have mine for as long as I can remember, up until this past year actually. However, once I disclosed this information to my significant other, it was like a weight had been lifted off of my chest.
5. You have to be a woman.
VERY, very false. Due to this common stereotype, the number of men to admit to having an eating disorder have significantly decreased; when in all actuality the number of men to have an eating disorder is about equivalent to that of women.
For more information, please visit here. This is a serious condition that needs more awareness. If you or a loved one are affected by this, please do not be afraid to reach out. I can guarantee that you are not alone. Awareness can lead to an overcoming of this daily battle. I commend you for staying strong, you can do this.
