Some Facts
According to Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital:
"30 million people in the U.S. have an eating disorder".
"95 percent of people with eating disorders are between the ages 12 and 25".
" Eating disorders have the HIGHEST risk of death of any mental illness".
"Eating disorders affect all genders, all races and every ethnic group".
"Genetics, environmental factors and personality traits all contribute to the risk of developing an eating disorder".
"Eating disorders are not lifestyle choices, they are mental disorders that when left untreated, can cause serious health problems, and at their most severe can even be life-threatening. For treatment referrals, information and support, please contact:"
The National Eating Disorders Association’s Helpline at 1-800-931-2237 or www.nationaleatingdisorders.org.
"The prevalence of eating disorders (EDs) has been on the rise ever since the condition was listed in the Global Burden of Disease Study . Recent estimates show EDs claim the lives of 3.3 million people globally every year, a number that has doubled over the last 10 years . Of all the ED types, anorexia nervosa (AN) in particular poses severe life-threatening health risks, with the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses."
Types of Eating Disorders
Anorexia nervosa
"An eating disorder characterized by an abnormally low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of weight. People with anorexia place a high value on controlling their weight and shape, using extreme efforts that tend to significantly interfere with their lives.
To prevent weight gain or to continue losing weight, people with anorexia usually severely restrict the amount of food they eat. They may control calorie intake by vomiting after eating or by misusing laxatives, diet aids, diuretics or enemas. They may also try to lose weight by exercising excessively. No matter how much weight is lost, the person continues to fear weight gain".
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anorexia-nervosa/symptoms-causes/syc-20353591
Bulimia nervosa
"Bulimia is an eating disorder in which a person has regular episodes of eating a very large amount of food (bingeing) during which the person feels a loss of control over eating. The person then uses different ways, such as vomiting or laxatives (purging), to prevent weight gain. Many people with bulimia also have anorexia". https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000341.htm
Binge eating disorder
"Binge eating disorder (BED) is a severe, life-threatening, and treatable eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food (often very quickly and to the point of discomfort); a feeling of a loss of control during the binge; experiencing shame, distress or guilt afterwards; and not regularly using unhealthy compensatory measures (e.g., purging) to counter the binge eating. It is the most common eating disorder in the United States".
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/bed
Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder
"Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a new diagnosis in the DSM-5, and was previously referred to as “Selective Eating Disorder.” ARFID is similar to anorexia in that both disorders involve limitations in the amount and/or types of food consumed, but unlike anorexia, ARFID does not involve any distress about body shape or size, or fears of fatness.
Although many children go through phases of picky or selective eating, a person with ARFID does not consume enough calories to grow and develop properly and, in adults, to maintain basic body function. In children, this results in stalled weight gain and vertical growth; in adults, this results in weight loss. ARFID can also result in problems at school or work, due to difficulties eating with others and extended times needed to eat". https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/arfid
Other specified feeding or eating disorder
"Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED) was previously known as Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) in past editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. Despite being considered a ‘catch-all’ classification that was sometimes denied insurance coverage for treatment as it was seen as less serious, OSFED/EDNOS is a serious, life-threatening, and treatable eating disorder. The category was developed to encompass those individuals who did not meet strict diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa but still had a significant eating disorder. In community clinics, the majority of individuals were historically diagnosed with EDNOS.
Research into the severity of EDNOS/OSFED shows that the disorder is just as severe as other eating disorders based on the following:
- Children hospitalized for EDNOS had just as many medical complications as children hospitalized for anorexia nervosa
- Adults with ‘atypical’ or ‘subclinical’ anorexia and/or bulimia scored just as high on measures of eating disorder thoughts and behaviors as those with DSM-diagnosed anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa
- People with EDNOS were just as likely to die as a result of their eating disorder as people with anorexia or bulimia".
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/osfed
Social Media & Eating Disorders
Psychological Impact of Pro-Anorexia and Pro-Eating Disorder Websites on Adolescent Females: A Systematic Review:
"Teenagers (in particular, females) suffering from eating disorders report being not satisfied with their physical aspect and they often perceive their body image in a wrong way; they report an excessive use of websites, defined as PRO-ANA and PRO-MIA, that promote an ideal of thinness, providing advice and suggestions about how to obtain super slim bodies.
These websites encourage anorexic and bulimic behaviors, in particular in female teenagers."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7926357/
"Ana is slang for anorexia nervosa, and pro-ana forums and websites glamourize the eating disorder as a lifestyle choice and esthetic ideal. Girls swap tips and diet plans to lose weight and to hide it from their parents, since a large proportion of people with eating disorders are in their teens (or even younger — pedoanorexia is on the rise).
These pro-ana forums, once reserved to the dark dusty corners of the internet where the scary and the gross things lie, were brought into the mainstream with Instagram. An image-centered social media where appearance is key, it was the perfect fit for the pro-ana movement. In March 2019, the BBC and the Guardian both investigated Instagram, revealing that content promoting eating disorders was getting “out of control,” and that there had been a significant rise in hospitalizations for anorexia since the emergence of the platform.
Following the damning reports, Instagram started waging a war on pro-ana posting. Certain hashtags were banned, terms like #thighgap or #thinspiration don’t show any posts anymore, while others like #anorexia come with a warning and redirect users towards resources for recovery.
But it seems the platform is fighting a losing battle — alternative spellings of hashtags skyrocketed, or users stopped using hashtags altogether but continue to explicitly reference pro-ana in their Instagram handles and profiles. There are also private accounts, that limit their followers so that they don’t get reported, and private messaging groups where you can find 'ana-buddies.'"
https://aninjusticemag.com/the-dark-world-of-instagrams-anorexic-influencers-1e999709f6a9
"Pro ana stands for pro-anorexia. Pro mia stands for pro-bulimia. These two terms refer to actual movements that are in direct contrast of eating disorder disease model and advocacy for recovery. And what is even more disturbing than their mere existence is that they are actually thriving; this can be seen by looking at some statistics of pro ana and pro mia in social media.
Go ahead and do a search for “anorexia” or “bulimia” on the Internet and the results will be sites for help, information and support for people who are suffering from or know someone who is suffering from an eating disorder. However, type in “pro-ana” or “pro-mia,” and the results will be very different. With names like Starving For Perfection, Anorexic Nation, 2b-Thin and Totally in Control, pro ana sites are the antithesis of self-help websites for recovering anorexics. Pro ana and pro mia in social media is quite prevalent. In fact, with its taboo nature, social media is the best way for people who are pro ana and pro mia to connect, since most people recognize anorexia and bulimia as diseases that require treatment."
https://www.orchidrecoverycenter.com/blog/pro-ana-pro-mia-social-media/
Helping Someone You Love
"If you have a loved one with an eating disorder, navigating how to best support them can be challenging. You don’t want to say the wrong thing, but you also know that you have to address it and not ignore it. Eating disorders are complicated and, at their core, they are brain-based illnesses that no one would choose. While you can’t force a person with an eating disorder to change, you can offer your support and encourage treatment. This can make a major difference to your loved one’s recovery.
1. Learn about eating disorders. The most essential first step to supporting your loved one’s recovery is being prepared and educating yourself as much as possible on eating disorders. Not only will this help you understand what they are dealing with, but it also shows that person that you truly care about what they’re going through.
2. Ask questions and listen without judgment. Asking about your loved one’s feelings and concerns shows that you care, but you must also truly listen to what they are saying. Do your best to avoid criticizing or advising them. You may not fully understand what they are going through, but it’s important that they know they are being heard and that their feelings are valid.
3. Use appropriate language. Using “I” statements is critical when discussing your loved one’s behavior. For example, try saying “I’m worried that you haven’t been eating with us anymore,” instead of “You’re not eating!” Or “I’m concerned that you are going to the bathroom after every meal,” instead of “You’re purging everything you eat!” Focus on behaviors you have personally observed and make sure that you do not come across as accusatory, as that could cause your loved one to become defensive.
4. Be mindful of triggers. Avoid discussions about food, weight, or eating, or making negative statements about your own body. But don’t be afraid to eat in front of someone with an eating disorder. It can help set an example of a healthy relationship with food.
5. Take care of yourself. It’s pertinent not to become so preoccupied with your loved one’s eating disorder that you then neglect your own needs. Make sure you have time for relaxation and find your own support, either from a friend, confidant, therapist, or support group.
1. Don’t try to “fix” the issue. Recovery is a process and it takes time. Avoid overly simplistic solutions, such as saying, “All you have to do is accept yourself.” Eating disorders are complex problems. If it were that easy, your loved one wouldn’t be suffering.
2. Don’t blame yourself. Eating disorders require all three of these factors to develop: psychological, environmental, and biological. Comments about someone’s weight can certainly have an impact on them, for example, but comments are not the sole reason for the formation of an eating disorder. Once you can accept that the eating disorder is not anyone’s fault, you can be free to take action that is honest and not clouded by what you “should” or “could” have done.
3. Don’t disparage your body. Many people with eating disorders are hyper-aware of what people around them are eating, how much they weigh, and how they look in their clothing. Commenting negatively on your own body can make a person with an eating disorder even more focused on weight and food. When you find yourself wanting to disparage your body, think about who you are around, and also examine why you feel the need to do so.
4. Don’t engage in power struggles over food. Attempts to force your loved one to eat will only cause conflict and bad feelings and likely lead to more secrecy and lying. That doesn’t mean you can’t set limits or hold your loved one accountable for their behavior. But don’t act like the food police, constantly monitoring their behavior.
5. Don’t comment on your loved one’s body. People with eating disorders are often overly focused on their bodies. Even assurances like, “Your body looks great!” could play into their preoccupation with appearance. Instead, steer the conversation to their feelings.
SUPPORTING A LOVED ONE IN EATING DISORDER RECOVERY
One of the most important things you can do for someone with an eating disorder is to let them know that they are loved and respected, regardless of the way they look or the behaviors they exhibit because of their eating disorder. Another thing to remember is that if you have done or said things in the past that you now know you should avoid doing, those things did not cause the eating disorder to occur. The important thing is that you educate yourself and keep striving to be more supportive going forward". https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/supporting-loved-ones/
More Resources
Helpful Websites
Academy of Eating Disorders (AED)
http://www.aedweb.org
Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
https://www.adaa.org/
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
http://www.dbsalliance.org
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)
http://www.anad.org/ANAD
The Body Positive
http://www.thebodypositive.org
Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org
Eating Disorder Coalition for Research, Policy and Action
http://www.eatingdisorderscoalition.org
The Eating Disorder Foundation, Denver, Colorado
http://www.eatingdisorderfoundation.org
Eating Disorder Hope
http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/
Eating Disorders Information Network
http://www.edin-ga.org
Eating Disorder Referral (EDReferral)
http://www.edreferral.com
Elisa Project
www.theelisaproject.org
Help Guide
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/eating_disorder_self_help.html
International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP)
http://www.iaedp.com
Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association, Inc. (MEDA)
http://www.medainc.org
National Alliance on Mental Health Illness (NAMI)
http://www.namioc.org/
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
Http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/webinars
The National Eating Disorders Screening Program
http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org