Happiful July 2020

5. It’s all about weight
On the surface, people with
eating disorders fixate on
weight, and the disgust they
feel about their bodies, but
below that are a multitude of
driving forces.
Trauma can be a catalyst,
as can a build-up of smaller
negative events or factors.
Eating disorders are often
about those who have them
feeling in control: of their
bodies, of their choices, of their
lives. It can be about numbing
the pain of trauma. It can be
about taking up less space,
about disappearing. It can be
about remaining childlike, to
avoid adulthood for a variety
of reasons. It can be about
becoming unattractive after
sexual assault or rape. The
triggers for an eating disorder
are extremely varied and
personal, and go far beyond
weight.
6. It’s a choice
Eating disorders are severe
mental illnesses, and no one
chooses to have one. Research
suggests that there is a genetic
factor in the development
of eating disorders, and it
appears that a combination
of genetic predisposition and
environmental factors create
the perfect storm for an eating
disorder to emerge. With the
extensive suffering that they
bring to those with eating
disorders, and their families
and friends, it is absurd to
think that anyone would ever
choose to have one.
7. It’s for attention
Most people with eating
disorders go to great lengths to
hide their illness, and those who
don’t shouldn’t be discouraged
from being open by being
labelled ‘attention-seeking’.
Those who are talking about
8. Men don’t get
eating disorders
Many people see eating
disorders as something that
affects young white women,
but eating disorders do not
discriminate: they affect people
of all ages, sexual orientations,
ethnicities, socio-economic
statuses, and genders. In fact,
25% of people with eating
disorders are male, although
this could be higher because the
stigma means that many men go
undiagnosed. Men may tend to
be more secretive because of the
fear of not being taken seriously,
being laughed at, or being seen
as weak. No one with an eating
disorder should be made to feel
ashamed for having one.
their eating disorders have a
greater chance of seeking help
than those who keep it secret.
Eating disorders are not a phase,
or a lifestyle choice, and often
people who experience them
feel a great amount of shame.
9. It’s a diet gone wrong
Although dieting can sometimes
trigger an eating disorder, eating
disorders are not just “a diet
gone wrong”. While dieting can
negatively impact both physical
and mental health, it’s different
from having an eating disorder.
10. You can’t recover
Because of the genetic factor,
people might think that this
could make recovery impossible.
This isn’t the case, and although
genes do play a part, they are
only one factor in the mix.
Research suggests that 46% of
anorexia patients fully recover,
while 33% improve. Research
into bulimia suggests that 45%
make a full recovery, with 27%
improving considerably.
After suffering for almost a
decade, I made my first tentative
steps towards recovery in 2012. I
have been in remission for more
than five years now. Recovery
from an eating disorder is
absolutely possible, and
although it’s a difficult journey,
it’s 100% worth it.
Sarah talks about body image,
body positivity, and eating disorder
recovery, as well as chronic illnesses,
on her Instagram @bodypositivepear
July 2020 • happiful.com • 69