Breaking the Myths: What Eating Disorders Really Are
Breaking the Myths: What Eating Disorders Really Are
There’s a lot of misinformation out there about eating disorders. So much, in fact, that many people don’t even realize they’re struggling—because their experience doesn’t match the stereotype. That’s the problem. Eating disorders are often misunderstood, minimized, or judged through a narrow lens, when in reality, they’re complex, deeply rooted mental health conditions that go far beyond food.
Let’s break down some of the most damaging myths and uncover the truth behind what eating disorders really are:
Myth #1: Eating Disorders Are Just About Food or Vanity
Truth? They’re rarely about food alone. For many, including myself, food became a way to cope—a tool for control, a distraction from pain, or a response to trauma. It wasn’t about being thin for the sake of appearance. It was about managing anxiety, numbing emotions, or feeling some sense of power in a world that felt chaotic.
Myth #2: Only Teenage Girls Get Eating Disorders
This couldn’t be further from the truth. Eating disorders affect people of all ages, genders, races, and backgrounds. Men struggle with them. Older adults do too. Non-binary and transgender individuals are also disproportionately affected. It’s not a “girl thing”—it’s a human thing.
Myth #3: You Have to Be Underweight to Have an Eating Disorder
Many people think you need to “look” sick to be sick. But eating disorders don’t always result in weight loss. You can be any size and be deeply unwell. Disorders like bulimia, binge eating disorder, and orthorexia often go unnoticed because they don’t fit the expected image. Health is not a number on a scale.
Myth #4: It’s a Lifestyle Choice
Eating disorders are not choices—they’re serious illnesses. They’re not about attention, vanity, or lack of willpower. Telling someone to “just eat” or “have more self-control” is not only unhelpful—it’s harmful. Recovery isn’t about willpower. It’s about healing the root causes and rebuilding trust with your body.
Myth #5: Once You Start Eating Normally, You’re Cured
Recovery is about so much more than food. It’s a mental, emotional, and physical journey. Eating again is a piece of the puzzle, but healing the thought patterns, behaviors, and underlying trauma takes time—and ongoing support.
So, What Are Eating Disorders Really?
Eating disorders are serious, life-threatening conditions characterized by unhealthy relationships with food, body image, and self-worth. They often co-occur with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other mental health challenges. They can impact relationships, work, school, and physical health in major ways.
But here’s the hopeful part—they’re treatable. With the right help, recovery is 100% possible. It may not be easy or quick, but it is absolutely worth it.
If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t wait for it to “get worse.” Don’t wait to “fit the mold.” If something feels wrong, it is wrong—and that’s reason enough to reach out. Because everyone deserves to have peace with food, freedom in their body, and love for themselves.