As an Eating Disorder Therapist, I hear many of the same myths and misunderstandings about eating disorders. These misconceptions can stop people from seeking the right mental health support and can leave families feeling unsure how to help. By talking openly about what eating disorders really are we can create space for more compassion and better understanding of these illnesses.
Here are just a few of the common ones that I hear through the voices of my clients.
1. “You Can Tell Who Has an Eating Disorder by Looking at Them”
Where do I even start with this one (Argh). One of the most common myths I see in my therapy work is the belief that you can spot an eating disorder by someone’s size or weight. Eating Disorders affect people in ALL body shapes. Someone may look physically “fine” but still be in severe psychological and medical distress. Atypical eating disorders are on the rise and leave many people in larger bodies feeling isolated.
2. “It’s Just About Food or Wanting to Be Thin”
Eating disorders may appear to be about dieting and the desire to lose weight, but this could not be farther than the truth. Eating Disorder behaviours are usually safety and coping strategies for deeper emotional struggles. Recovery is about breaking the patterns that keep clients stuck, and it’s about understanding emotions, and facing fears with new coping strategists and building a deeper tolerance for personal distress.
3. “Only Teenage Girls Get Eating Disorders”
This stereotype is deeply limiting. (It is painful to hear people say this). Eating disorders affect people of every age, gender and background. I’ve worked with adult women and men, non-binary individuals, and people who developed their eating disorder well into their 40s or 50s. The idea that eating disorders only affect teenage girls can make many people feel invisible, which can delay them in reaching out for professional support.
4. “They Should Just Eat Normally”
If recovery were as simple as “just eating,” eating disorders wouldn’t be among the most serious mental health conditions. These illnesses change the way the brain responds to hunger, fullness and satisfaction. In my practice, I often explain that eating disorder treatment involves re-training the brain and gently re-establishing trust with the body. Compassionate guidance and sometimes structured meal support are key parts of helping someone feel safe with food again.
Information is key to understanding and making informed decisions.
There is always hope x
