Truths about Eating Disorders (World Eating Disorders Action Day 2018)
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@windflowers
People with eating disorders can be very sneaky and pretend in front of others for a long time before anyone finds out.
We sometimes eat unhealthy food! I don't know why the people surrounding me think I never eat fast food or candy. I do, I just feel more guilty afterwards.
Men also have eating disorders. I've heard people associate them with young women only. Like you said, anyone at any age can have one. I've actually met a lot of hardcore gym guys that would fit into a diagnosis, but society doesn't really question their behavior.
@PenguinsCrossing
Wow, those are some really great truths! I agree about the pretending - it can certainly take a long time before someone recognises that someone else has an ED! And completely agree about the fast food thing - and 100% yes about how it isn't just a 'girl thing'. Thank you for sharing!
@windflowers
Thanks windy flowers for posting ;)
@PenguinsCrossing
I eat unhealthy food too when I do actually eat!
I only eat 1 meal a day unless I have sports, then I eat 2 to keep my energy level up. I alternate days for eating snacks and not eating snacks!
It
People with eating disorders may not realize they have an eating disorder. Thats why loving, supportive, and attentive friends and family are so important!
@HotChocolate2
This was put so well! I second this.
@windflowers
Eating disorders can be off and on and definitely at any age
I started when I was around 10 years old and didn't realize for so many years how much of my childhood and teenage years were more difficult than they already were bc of it
Small girls can have it
Doctors aren't always the most helpful
Sometimes people develop it to cope, I did partially to cope with a lot of trauma which just made it worse
But people with ED's are strong!! Stronger than you know
@wittySpruce8187
I agree - you can definitely develop an ED at any age! I'm sorry to hear that you were struggling though. And agreed - different things can make it worse! Love how you tied off your statement with how people with EDs are strong, by the way.
@windflowers Thank you for posting!
@Kate
Thank you for your support!
Eating disorders are not just about the eating (or not eating or other symptoms)! They are often a coping mechanism for something else and recovery has to involve the behavior side AND the thoughts that sit underneath it!
Eating disorders often morph over time between behaviors like restricting, purging, and binging.
You can't tell if someone's "better" just by how they look and even when someone has started recovery physically, they still need support!
@Anomalia
Very true!!!
@Anomalia
That first statement is so true! EDs can be layered. And yes to changing over time and not thinking someone's better because they look better! Thank you for sharing!
@windflowers
Thanks for creating this discussion thread! Here's a link I like. It's about 40 things people with eating disorders wish other people understood
@summertimeSamness
I read through that - and wow, that's an excellent overview! It shows so many different perspectives. I really like that link, thank you for sharing!
You can have more than one ED.
Other disorders that cycle, such as bipolar, can make the ED harder to cope with at times. (This is true for myself) The struggles during manias and depressive episodes makes it harder for me to not relapse.
@TeenyTinyAppy
That sounds really hard, I'm sorry you have to deal with that! But that's definitely true - many factors can affect the severity of EDs.
Thanks for sharing everyone and wish you the best recovery from ED! Do reach out to me if you wish to talk.
@versatileHeart301
Thank you for your support!
Every person with an eating disorder is different. Two people with anorexia or any other ED may experience the same symptoms, but they may not experience it the same way and feel the same about some issues.
@brightLight35
Love how you bolded that! I agree with this 100%.
@windflowers
Yes but that's really important I think! I've stopped counting the times where I didn't feel exactly the same as another person and felt invalid because of that.
Now, it's much more important to remember that each one of us have different experiences because with an ED or not, we're simply different people with different personalities and as much possible reactions to life events!
@brightLight35
I really love how you're putting all of this! I think that's absolutely true - we all face experiences in different ways.
@windflowers although ED's can be more common in teenagers - eating disorders do not discriminate. You can be young and have an ED, you can be middle aged and have an ED, and you can be old and have an ED!
@peacefulHug92
I love how you put that - 'Eating disorders do not discriminate'. That's a really important thing to keep in mind, in my opinion! Thank you for sharing.