Eating Disorders Are Not Just About Being Thin (Video)
There's a common misconception that eating disorders are only about being thin. This is both incorrect and harmful to those struggling with eating disorders. I talk about why in this eating disorder video.
APA Reference
Gambrel, A.
(2012, March 4). Eating Disorders Are Not Just About Being Thin (Video), HealthyPlace. Retrieved
on 2024, November 24 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/survivinged/2012/03/eating-disorders-are-not-just-about-being-thin-video
Author: Angela E. Gambrel
[...] disorders are maladaptive coping behaviors that manifest as concerns about weight.In other words, eating disorders are not about wanting to be thin.Then why do so many people with eating disorders, particularly anorexia, seem to be frightened of [...]
I appreciate you addressing television shows that only focus on the weight of an individual with an eating disorder. I agree with you, I think there is large misconception about eating disorders and that it is only related to being thin. People need to be aware that being thin is a symptom of a larger issue. I very much agree that they also seem to neglect mentioning Binge Eating Disorders. Being overweight or very thin are symptoms of a bigger issue related underlying issues. I think that even with individuals who are overweight or obese, the emphasis remains on their weight versus what emotions are driving them to overeat. In addition, many time society addresses people that have Binge Eating Disorder as lazy and lacking self control, but in reality they may be suffering from their own underlying issues and being overweight or obese can also be a symptom of that. I found it insightful when you spoke about how there is this emphasis on numbers which is what the individual is also ruminating about. I feel that focusing on the numbers may be counterproductive for a person with an eating disorder. It detracts from addressing the underlying issues. I think you summed it up best when you said that the focus of weight is an "outward symptom of inner pain". Thank you for bringing awareness and more clarity to what eating disorders are about.