| Myth Busting |
Myth #1:
Anorexia is much more serious and life threatening than bulimia.
Reality: FALSE. Both are very serious, life threatening illnesses.
Myth #2:
You can never recover from an eating disorder because you will battle with it for the rest of your life.
Reality: This is absolutely false. Complete recovery is not only possible, but it is expected with many patients. Recent research suggests that 30% will recover completely and another 30% will partially recover.¹
Myth #3:
All men with eating disorders are homosexual.
Reality: Although homosexual men are disproportionately affected by eating disorders, they do occur in heterosexual men as well.²
¹Berkman, N. D.; Lohr, K. N.; Bulik, C. M. (2007). Outcomes of eating disorders: A systematic review of the literature. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 40, 293-309.
²Hospers, H. J.; Jansen, A. (2005). Why homosexuality is a risk factor for eating disorders in males. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 24 (8), 1188-1201.
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| FAQ's
Note: all material references in the FAQ section have been obtained from The Academy for Eating Disorders (AED) website. The AED is an organization devoted to research and education around eating disorders. You can visit them at http://www.aedweb.org/
Q: What is an eating disorder?
A: There are three main types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.
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Anorexia Nervosa
Individuals with anorexia nervosa are unable or unwilling to maintain a body weight that is normal or expected for their age and height. There is no precise boundary dividing "normal" from "too low", but most clinicians use 85% of normal weight as a reasonable guide.
Individuals with anorexia nervosa usually display a pronounced fear of weight gain and a dread of becoming fat even though they are markedly underweight. Concerns about their weight and about how they believe they look have a powerful influence on their self-evaluation. The seriousness of the weight loss and its health implications is usually minimized, if not denied, by the individual.
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Bulimia Nervosa
Individuals with bulimia nervosa regularly engage in discrete periods of overeating, which are followed by attempts to compensate for overeating and to avoid weight gain. There can be considerable variation in the nature of the overeating but the typical episode of overeating involves the consumption of an amount of food that would be considered excessive in normal circumstances. The individual's subjective experience is dominated by a sense of a lack of control over the eating.
Binge eating is followed by attempts to "undo" the consequences of eating too much though behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, enemas, diuretics, severe caloric restriction, or excessive exercising. Profound concerns about weight and shape are also characteristic of individuals with bulimia nervosa. Self-evaluation is centered on the individual's perceptions of his/her body image.
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Binge Eating Disorder
The term, binge eating disorder, was officially introduced in 1992 to describe individuals who binge eat but do not regularly use inappropriate compensatory weight control behaviors such as fasting or purging to lose weight.
The binge eating may involve rapid consumption of food with a sense of loss of control, uncomfortable fullness after eating, and eating large amounts of food when not hungry. Feelings of shame and embarrassment are prominent.
Q : How do I know if I have an eating disorder?
A: A medical diagnosis can only be made by a qualified health professional. If you have experienced some of the signs above, you may want to visit your family doctor or another trusted health professional to discuss your concerns. He/she may be able to connect you with resources and treatment options in your area.
Q: What if someone I know has an eating disorder?
A: It can be very hard to approach someone with an eating disorder about seeking help, but early intervention is crucial as the illness typically worsens over time. If you suspect that someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, you should address the issue with them as soon as possible. Remember, eating disorders are not about food or weight, they are about control, so do not be discouraged if they respond to your concerns with anger or denial. You cannot force someone to admit they have a problem, let alone seek help for it, but there are things you can do to prepare yourself for the road ahead.
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| Educate yourself |
Do not make assumptions. There are many resources available to you to help you equip yourself with all the knowledge you need to understand the illness as best you can. The best help you can offer your loved one begins with learning about what they are going through.
Remain patient it can often take months for someone to be able to admit that they have an eating disorder. Recovery cannot begin until this happens, so it is important to be patient. They need to know that you believe in them in order for them to believe in themselves.
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| Be supportive |
Listen, listen, listen and empathize! Even if they are bringing up the same concerns every single day, they are doing so because they need to be heard. There is a misconception that you must say something novel to make them “see the light”, but this is impossible. It is so much more important to listen to them and to let them know that you hear how much pain they are in.
Sometimes you may feel like you do not know what to do to help them. If you feel this way, it doesn’t hurt to ask what they need from you to help them feel okay. |
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| Get support |
Struggling from an eating disorder is physically, psychologically and emotionally draining, but trying to support someone with an eating disorder can also be very difficult. There are many supportive networks online (see “Resources”) as well as in the community. You can contact your local mental health clinic or hospital to help you locate support. You cannot forget to take care of you.
Do not be angry with yourself if they are not getting better. You are not a trained medical professional, you are not equipped with all the tools and resources they will need. All you can do is be there for them when they need you. And whether they express it or not, they do need you. |
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