Did you know that about 1.25 million people in the UK live with an eating disorder? Despite the conditions being common, there are many myths about what eating disorders are, who they affect and how you can recover from them.
Open Mental Health partner SWEDA, a charity supporting people affected by eating disorders, has information for adults, parents and professionals. So, for Eating Disorders Awareness Week, let’s get our facts straight.
Myth: Eating disorders are a choice.
Fact: Eating disorders are not a choice. They are complex medical and psychiatric conditions influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. Genetics play a role in who develops an eating disorder, while environmental triggers, like media-driven body ideals, bullying, and stress, also contribute. Eating disorders often go hand in hand with conditions like depression, anxiety, and OCD.
Myth: Eating disorders aren’t that serious.
Fact: Eating disorders can be life-threatening. The medical complications of binge eating, purging, starvation, and excessive exercise put people’s bodies under great duress. Consequences can include heart failure, kidney failure, and osteoporosis, as well as severe emotional distress. There is a heightened risk of suicidal ideation among individuals with anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.
Myth: Only women get eating disorders.
Fact: Eating disorders affect people of all genders. Forget stereotypes that suggest they mainly impact women; research shows that men and nonbinary people also struggle with eating disorders. Rates among men are rising, and transgender individuals are over four times more likely than others to be diagnosed with an eating disorder. Misconceptions and lack of awareness can delay diagnosis and treatment.
Myth: Parents cause eating disorders.
Fact: Parents do not cause eating disorders, and families often play a crucial role in recovery. Research shows that eating disorders have a strong biological basis. Involving parents in treatment can significantly improve outcomes for children and adolescents.
Myth: You can be too young or too old to develop an eating disorder.
Fact: Eating disorders can develop at any age. Specialists report increasing diagnoses in children, while older adults can experience relapses, persistent illness from youth, or new onset of an eating disorder.
Myth: If eating disorders have a biological basis, there’s nothing I can do to recover.
Fact: While genetics might play a role in eating disorders, recovery is always possible. Genetic factors are just one aspect of these challenging conditions. With the right treatment and support, people can learn strategies to manage their emotions, reduce relapse risk and live happy, healthy lives.
Myth: Recovery from an eating disorder takes forever.
Fact: Recovery time varies. Some people recover quickly, while others take years. Factors like illness severity, age, mental health, motivation, and treatment quality all play a role. Ongoing self-care and support may be necessary to maintain good health and wellbeing.
SWEDA and Open Mental Health offer a twice-weekly, free, impartial, and confidential helpline for people living with eating disorders and their families. The helpline is open every Sunday from 11 am until 2 pm and every Tuesday from 8 pm until 11 pm on 0300 330 5464.
Alternatively, for help and support to empower your recovery, contact SWEDA via their website or call Mindline Somerset anytime, day or night, on 01823 276 892 or freephone 0800 138 1692.