As I dive deeper into the world of eating disorders, I want to share some myths that were interesting to me. Perhaps they will shed light on this very dangerous psychiatric illness.
Myth: People with eating disorders are always very thin.
FACT: An eating disorder isn’t solely diagnosed based on body type or weight. Someone of average weight, or even above average weight, could be struggling with an eating disorder. It’s important to look for the behaviors, like extreme dieting, that cause medical issues, such as losing a lot of weight in a short amount of time, missed menstrual cycles and low heart rates.
Myth: Only girls have eating disorders.
FACT: Eating disorders don’t discriminate based on gender. In fact, for every three people struggling with an eating disorder, one will be male. Eating disorders can also occur at any age, for any ethnicity.
Myth: You can’t die from an eating disorder.
Fact: Eating disorders have the highest rate of death of any psychiatric illness. Up to 20 percent of people with chronic anorexia nervosa will die as a result of their illness if it is not treated.
Myth: Eating disorders are a choice.
Fact: They are complex medical and psychiatric illnesses that people do not choose. They are bio-psycho-social diseases, which means that genetic, biological, environmental, and social elements all play a role. Several decades of genetic research show that biological factors are an important influence in who develops an eating disorder. A societal factor, such as the media-driven thin body ideal, is an example of an environmental trigger that has been linked to increased risk of developing an eating disorder. Environmental factors also include physical illnesses, childhood teasing and bullying, and other life stressors.
28.8 million Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. I work at the Center for Discovery because I care. I am passionate about helping those who struggle. In Illinois our treatment is gender inclusive for adolescents and adults. Feel free to reach out for more information: Lsilverman@discoverybh.com
*The facts listed were compiled via various articles and professionals.
#eatingdisorders #psychiatricillness #myths #evidencebasedtteatment Center for Discovery