The 15 Top Myths and Stereotypes about Eating Disorders and Recovery

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Nothing hurts and infuriates those who suffer from an eating disorder and their relatives and family more than hearing all the myths and public misunderstandings about eating disorders and recovery.

If you are caught in the circle of anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder or EDNOS, you are going through hell and hearing all the belittling misconceptions can throw you in an even deeper and darker hole than you already are.

I asked my friends, fellow activists and sufferers on Facebook to identify their most hurtful and harmful myths that could not be further from the truth.

1. It is just a phase.
2. It is a choice.
3. It is always about body image and wanting to be skinny
4. Anorexia is the only eating disorder
5. Anorexia is the most common eating disorder
6. Only teenage girls suffer from eating disorders à at least 10 % are men and it is not uncommon in adults
7. It is a white-only disease -> comparable rates of eating disorders have been found in ethnic minorities
8. Anorexics do not eat
9. It has always to do with control
10. Anorexia is the deadliest eating disorder of all -> it has been disputed
11. Recovery is fast
12. It is easily treatable with full nutrition -> only 50% recover fully, 30% achieve partial recovery and 20% remain chronic
13. Once you have reached a healthy weight, you are fine
14. If you look healthy, you cannot have an eating disorder
15. You will always have EDNOS and issues with Ed

If you would like to leave me some feedback, you can mail it to feedback@fightinganorexia.com

You can follow me on twitter: @anneso87

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