Eating Disorders

There are many myths and half-truths surrounding eating disorders.  Which of these are true and which are just myths?  Listed here are some of the more popular myths about eating disorders. 

Myth #1.  Only teenage girls suffer from eating disorders. 

For several years, it was believed t that only teenage girls are afflicted by eating disorders.  However, studies prove that even though the problem may start during puberty, teenage girls are not the only ones who may suffer from this condition.  It was proven that even children, older women and men can easily fall prey to this terrible disorder. 

Myth #2.  Once afflicted, you can never recover from an eating disorder. 

Although eating disorders may require long-term treatment, recovery from the disorder is not far from possible.  However, your willingness to recover, unquestioning dedication and the proper treatment are the keys to achieving your goal. 

Myth #3.  Straight men cannot have eating disorders. 

It was believed that only men who are gay can "catch" the malady.  This again is a false statement.  One's sexual preference has no bearing on the development of eating disorders. 

Myth #4.  Eating disorders are a problem with food. 

This is another misleading statement.  Eating disorders are not a problem with food but rather a symptom of a more serious underlying problem.  Persons afflicted with eating disorders may use food to comfort themselves or may exert control over their food intake and body weight to numb painful feelings or emotions.  They may use these measures to feel that they have certain aspects in their lives, which they can control. 

Myth #5.  You can pinpoint anorexics based on their appearances. 

Not all anorexics are like the ones featured in talk shows.  Some anorexics are merely 5 to 15 pounds underweight.  However, just because they do not look withered and wasted they are not considered safe from the dangerous complications brought about by this problem.  They can still suffer from the damaging effects of the disorder. 

Myth #6.  Bulimics prefer to purge solely by forced vomiting. 

Vomiting is not the only way bulimics purge themselves of the extra calories they have taken in.  Purging may also be done through the use of laxatives, diuretics or water pills, diet pills, fasting or excessive exercising.  Bulimics may even use a combination of these methods. 

Myth #7.  Anorexics shy away from calorie-rich foods. 

Just because anorexics tend to avoid fattening foods, some of them do eat these types of foods on a regular basis.  If they were to choose, some anorexics may limit their food and calorie intake for a day to a single candy or chocolate bar.   

Myth #8.  Anorexics do not binge or purge. 

Bingeing and purging are only practiced by bulimics.  Wrong.  Many anorexics do binge occasionally.  Due to their extreme fear of food, they will then purge whatever they have put in their system afterwards. 

Myth #9.  Bulimia is not a life-threatening condition. 

"One cannot die from bulimia."  This statement is not true.  Purging with the use of laxatives, diuretics and diet pills poses a grave threat to the normal functioning of our bodily systems.  Continuous purging may damage the esophagus, the stomach and the heart muscles and result to the loss of important minerals in the body including potassium, magnesium and sodium.  These chemical imbalances are one of the leading known causes of heart failure. 

Myth #10.  Binge-eating is not an eating disorder.   

It is true that binge-eaters are not obsessed with their body weight like anorexics or bulimics but this is also a very serious eating disorder.  As such, people who are considered binge-eaters require special medical attention as well.  Like anorexics and bulimics, binge-eaters also use food to block out painful or traumatic events in their lives.   

Myth #11.  A person cannot have more than one type of eating disorder. 

Contrary to popular belief, a person can have more than one type of eating disorder.  There are cases when an anorexic goes on a binge-purge episode on more than one occasion.  This just goes on to prove that eating disorders are not the problem but are merely the symptoms of a deeper and more serious underlying cause.