When a parent suspects something is off about their child, it can be alarming to find out it is an eating disorder. Society as a whole doesn't really know how eating disorders work, or even what eating disorders really are.
A lot of times when thinking about an eating disorder it is assumed that someone just doesn't eat. It is hardly the case, though.
Healthline defines eating disorders as complex mental health conditions that often require the intervention of medical and psychological experts to alter their course.
There are many types of eating disorders:
- Anorexia Nervosa: Not eating or very restrictive.
- Bulimia Nervosa: Binging and purging.
- Binge Eating Disorder: Eating excessive amounts of food in short periods of time.
- Pica: Eating non-food items.
- Rumination Disorder: Regurgitating food and re-eating it or re-chewing and spitting it out.
- Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: A lack of interest in food, due to the characteristics of food. Smell, taste, texture, or temperature.
- Purging Disorder: Only purging, no binging taking place.
- Night Eating Syndrome: Waking up and eating excessively at night.
- Not Otherwise Specified or OSFED: Not falling in the categories listed above.
People can experience more than one eating disorder at a time. Those typically have different names than those mentioned, but the same disordered eating occurs.
While these disorders revolve around food, it is typically not what it's even about.
10 It's About So Much More Than Food & The Scale
Recovery Warriors says, assuming eating disorders are simply about the food and weight is like assuming lung cancer is only about coughing, and can be simply treated by giving cough drops or honey. Disordered eating is typically a symptom of a much bigger issue, going on inside.
9 It's Never-ending
If someone has an addiction to alcohol, they can stay away from alcohol. If someone has an addiction to gambling, they can stay away from gambling. If someone has an eating disorder, they can't stay away from food. Food is an everyday part of life and always around them, a constant struggle.
8 I Don't Judge What Other People Eat
Eating disorders don't make sense. They are so all consuming and evil that many times, those suffering don't have time for judging others on what they eat or their sizes; only their own.
7 Please Don't Watch Me Eat
According to The National Eating Disorder Association, eating around others or in public can fuel anxiety. Just eating a snack is challenging when you have an eating disorder. It takes a great deal of mental energy to quiet the constant voices that are saying things like, "You shouldn't eat that," "That has too many calories," etc.
Those eating disorder voices get even louder when you add worries regarding how others are perceiving you.
People with any form of eating disorder feel as though they are constantly being judged negatively by what and how much is on their plate.
6 Please Don't Comment On How Much I Ate
If a person has an eating disorder, over-eating or under-eating, commenting on what they eat or did not eat can set them up for failure.
5 Please Don't Comment On My Weight
According to the Eating Disorder Center, weight-related comments can be highly triggering for people. There are many examples of how weight-related comments can trigger people. For instance, for those in recovery from an eating disorder, weight-related comments can be incredibly provoking and can serve to fuel the disorder or cause a relapse.
4 Please Don't Compare Me To Anyone Else With An Eating Disorder
People with eating disorders tend to thrive on comparing themselves to others, in a bad way. It can be very triggering for someone when you compare them to another person with disordered eating issues.
3 Please Don't Assume You Can Relate Because You've Dieted
Comparing an eating disorder to a diet is not only inconsiderate, but it can also be unhealthy. A lot of eating disorders stem from the belief that somehow weight is equal to happiness. Others are about control. Regardless, disordered eating is a mental health condition, not a diet.
2 You Can't Fix Me
Only the person suffering with the eating disorder can take the steps to properly heal from an eating disorder.
1 I Need You To Be Supportive Of Me
When someone is in the midst of an eating disorder, they may tend to self-isolate. Recovery requires connection, love, and support. It is important to remember that while someone may appear like they are recovered, they may not fully be, so keeping open connections can be vital.
Sources: Healthline, Recovery Warriors, National Eating Disorder Association, Eating Disorder Center