In this article, we will discuss the misconceptions and truths about eating disorders.
Misconceptions about eating disorders
Q. People with eating disorders are thin.
A. In clinical practice, there are patients who suffer from weight loss, and there are patients who suffer from overweight due to overeating.
Q. I am on an extreme diet.
A. An eating disorder is not a diet, but a symptom that develops due to a heavy physical and psychological burden.
Q. Only women develop them.
A. It can occur regardless of gender, but due to appearance and cognitive issues, men are not taken as seriously even if they have an eating disorder.
Q. I have a loss of appetite and won't eat anything.
A. It is not that you do not eat anything, but that you eat only small amounts or extremely unbalanced foods. And people with eating disorders try to hide it from others.
Q. Media and social networking sites are the cause.
A. It is true that the information provided by the media can be the cause of "extreme images", but it is not good to criticize the media one way or the other, because not all causes are the media.
Q. Eating disorders are not expected to recover.
A. Some people think that recovery is unlikely because it requires long-term treatment. However, since it is due to physical and psychological strain, the cooperation of many people may be necessary.
Q. Eating disorders are rare.
A. According to a 2011 US survey, 0.3% of 13~18 year olds have anorexia and 2.5% have bulimia. Even if they have not been diagnosed with an eating disorder, it has been suggested that young people who practice extreme dieting may have an eating disorder.
The following are some of the danger signs to look for when you suspect bulimia.
・Frequent opportunities to eat large amounts of food at one time.
・Loss of control around food.
・Eating when you're not hungry.
・Eating alone.
・Eating as a means of emotional control.
・Hides food and empty wrappers.
・Noticing the rapid disappearance of food stocked by family and others.
・Stockpile food.
The danger signs of anorexia nervosa can include
・Skipping meals
・Making excuses for not eating
・Exercising excessively, but not prioritizing food.
・Eating only "safe" foods.
・Not eating certain food groups (carbohydrates, fats, etc.).
・Exhibits unusual behavior around food.
(organizing food, cutting food into small pieces, always finding problems with food, pushing food around the plate)
・Prepares food for others but does not eat it himself.
・Frequently check the media and information related to food.
・Compulsively reads nutrition information and calculates calories.
・Constantly weighs himself/herself or does a "body check" in the mirror.
・Always weigh yourself or do a "body check." (Look at your body in the mirror or feel your body with your hands.)
・Tend to chew a lot of gum or drink a lot of water, coffee, diet soda, or other calorie-free beverages.
・They are in denial about their weight loss and any health problems they may be experiencing.
・Recent switch to a vegan/vegetarian diet.
・Avoiding food-related get-togethers.
Summary
Please understand that you don't get an eating disorder because you care about others, but because of some trigger. As I was writing the article, I thought about the possibility that the author may also have anorexia nervosa, but I reconsidered taking advice from others while working on self-management.
