Eating Disorders Aren’t Just for Teenagers

A collaborative post

If there’s one thing the media is good at, it’s glamorizing mental illness in women. And that’s especially true when it comes to the portrayal of eating disorders. Movies like Netflix’s To The Bone (2017) sparked outrage from eating disorder survivors who lashed out with powerful statements like this one from Tricia, a teenager who reached out to Teen Vogue with her critique of the movie. 

“I felt really frustrated when I saw the trailer. It is another story about the eating disorder that everybody already knows — anorexia. It reinforces stereotypes about what an eating disorder is and looks like — a young, middle class white girl who becomes very, very thin. That imagery is everywhere, and it is actually celebrated in our culture. Representation of eating disorders matters.” 

Tricia’s criticism of To The Bone has hit the issue right on the head: popular representation of eating disorders is not only inaccurate, it’s actively harmful. As reflected in Tricia’s review, one of many stereotypes we regularly see is that anorexia is something to aspire to. Because our society actively encourages women to be thin, to restrict their food intake, and associate thinness with desirability, it’s easy to romanticize anorexia and fail to recognize it as the deadly mental illness it is. 

 

Another problematic stereotype we often see is the assumption that eating disorders only affect young, white, teenage girls. But in reality, eating disorders do not discriminate. They can affect anyone of any age, race, gender, or socioeconomic status. And anorexia is not the only eating disorder that exists! So, if you’re a woman of any age who has an unhealthy relationship with food, it’s important to identify the warning signs and consider the possibility that you might have an eating disorder. 

What is an Eating Disorder?

We see anorexia (mis)represented in the media on a regular basis, so this is the only eating disorder that many people are aware of. But the term “eating disorder” is actually just a broad description for a complex cluster of varied disorders, many of which are radically different from each other. For example, someone who is struggling with anorexia severely restricts their food intake and battles a distorted body image. By contrast, someone with a binge eating disorder feels unable to control their food intake and eats an excessive amount. This can often result in significant weight gain, depression, and weight-related medical issues. And someone who is battling bulimia is trapped in a “binge and purge” cycle which causes them to consume too much food and then throw up in an effort to purge their body of excess weight. 

As you can see, these disorders are very different from each other, but they all have serious consequences on a person’s mental and physical health. Over one million people around the world are struggling with eating disorders. So, the first and most important thing for you to know is that, if you have an eating disorder, you are not alone! And no matter how alone you feel, you should know that help is always within reach. 

What Are The Symptoms of Eating Disorders?

If you or someone you love is struggling with an eating disorder, you might want to keep an eye out for symptoms that indicate an unhealthy relationship with food. Eating disorder symptoms can vary greatly and they are often highly specific to the type of disorder and the person who is experiencing the symptoms. But these are a few general symptoms that you’re likely to see in someone who is struggling with some form of eating disorder. 

• Obsessive concern with body image, food, and weight

• Weighing yourself multiple times per day/week

• Excessive fasting, dieting, food restriction, or fear of gaining weight

• Excessive food consumption

• Eating in secret, hoarding food, or refusing to eat around others

• Using food as a coping mechanism for depression or anxiety

• Overeating to alter your mood

• Excessive guilt or shame about food– this could be about eating too much or eating too little 

Some eating disorder symptoms become apparent when they begin to take their toll on the body. For example, rapid weight loss or weight gain is likely to be noticed by friends and loved ones. But many other symptoms– such as an unhealthy body image or excessive concern with calories– are easy to conceal. For example, many adult women restrict their food intake as a form of control, especially if they feel dissatisfied or powerless in their personal and professional lives. And if they appear to have an ideal or desirable body type, their disordered eating habits might be praised by those around them. But in reality, their behavior is detrimental and unhealthy, and they need help to cultivate a healthy body image and sense of self.  

This is only one example of the invisible struggle experienced by people with eating disorders. So, if you or someone you love is displaying symptoms that indicate unhealthy attitudes toward food, it’s important to be aware of the signs and reach out for help. 

How Can I Get Help For an Eating Disorder?

Battling an eating disorder can make your world feel very small. Many people may derive a sense of power or pleasure from restricting their food intake and they might be reluctant to relinquish that power by asking for help. Likewise, someone who binges or purges may feel a great deal of guilt or shame and this could prevent them from coming forward for help. No matter what your symptoms are, eating disorders can make you feel like you have to suffer in silence forever. 

But you should know that is absolutely not true! Therapists who are qualified to treat eating disorders don’t want to judge you. And asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of! In fact, starting the recovery process is one of the bravest things you can do. So, if you’re ready to get better, one great step is to start by taking a self-assessment. Self-guided eating disorder tests like this one from Mind Diagnostics can help you assess your symptoms from the comfort and privacy of your own phone. This test is free, simple, and confidential. All you have to do is answer a few questions about the symptoms you’re experiencing and the frequency and severity with which they affect your life. 

When you’re finished taking the test, you’ll be presented with results based on the information you entered. Although these results are not intended to serve as a replacement for a diagnosis by a mental health professional, they can give you more information about your symptoms and the likelihood that you might be experiencing an eating disorder. You will also be provided with a list of resources that are available to you, including the ability to connect with a therapist who is qualified to treat eating disorders. The next steps you take are up to you, but you should know that you don’t have to struggle in silence for one more day. Help is only a click away and you have the power to create your happiest, healthiest life.