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Breaking the Stigma: Understanding and Supporting Eating Disorder Recovery

Writer's picture: Taylor GreibeTaylor Greibe


February is National Eating Disorder Awareness Month. This month allows us to take time to recognize and reduce the stigma around eating disorders. All types of eating disorders have become more and more common with the rise of social media and different dieting trends. However, even though awareness around these disorders has increased, we oftentimes still see a lack of education and several myths surrounding what happens when someone develops an eating disorder. 


Many eating disorders go unnoticed and untreated because the behaviors and thought processes associated with them closely resemble how the majority of society may think or behave around food and body image. 


There is a fine line that gets crossed when someone goes from just dieting to the development of an actual disorder. Even though those who diet are likely trying to achieve some sort of weight loss goal and living in a state of restriction around food, they still can often maintain a healthier mindset without their goal being to completely eliminate all foods and the enjoyment around them. Those who diet can also see themselves as worthy outside of weight, what they eat, and the judgment of others. All diets typically end once a goal is achieved and the hope is to sustain a healthier lifestyle. When someone crosses the line into disordered eating, we often see them take the diet too far into restriction, use other behaviors to compensate for eating, and believe their worth is based on the achievement of weight loss. It becomes an obsessive lifestyle that leads to overexercising, elimination of several foods, labeling foods as good or bad, increased anxiety around food, hate or disgust for their body, and much more. 


A common myth about eating disorders is that they can be solved by just having someone simply eat again. However, this is not the case, and eating disorders that develop almost have nothing to do with the food itself. Usually, those who develop eating disorders have underlying stressors that they then try to control by using food as a coping mechanism. Eating disorders are typically a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors that all come together to create a serious and complex mental health issue. 


Another common myth is that those who develop eating disorders do so solely because they want to be thin. While this is a common goal amongst the population, that is not what is driving their thought process or behaviors. Underlying factors such as social pressures and lack of confidence may drive this desire as well as their environment. Their desire to be thin goes much deeper than accomplishing this via their external appearance. 


Overall, eating disorders are commonly viewed as a choice someone makes and that if they would just eat normally, it could be solved. This makes it extremely difficult for those struggling to seek help due to feeling as though they are a burden and that they need “fixing.” No one with an eating disorder chooses to live this lifestyle. They are trying to deal with and solve complex, underlying issues by using these eating disorder behaviors to cope and find safety and comfort.


Eating disorders are one of the most commonly misunderstood mental health issues and can require professional treatment to help understand what is the driving factor and how to recover.  Everyone deserves a chance to find full and lasting recovery regardless of the stigma and beliefs associated with the disorders in today’s society. If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out. Take the month of February to educate yourself and others on the severity of eating disorders and together we can lessen the stigma and provide hope for all who struggle. 


~Taylor Greibe, Eating Disorder Recovery Coach

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