Myth #1: You have to "have a certain look"be a certain weight to have an eating disorder. Anyone, regardless of weight, can struggle with disordered eating and should receive the necesarry level of support no matter what.
Myth #2: Eating disorders are just "a phase" and a cry for attention Eating disorders are a serious mental illness and intense levels of support and care is needed for one to overcome an eating disorder. People who suffer from eating disorders do not want attention. In fact, people suffering from eating disorders tend to isolate themselves and hide their behaviors as they feel controlled by the eating disorder thoughts and behaviors. Changes in weight actually draw unwanted attention to the individual as it progresses.
Myth #3: Those suffering from an eating disorder can just "get over it" when they want to. One does not choose to have an eating disorder. Research has proven that those who suffer from an eating disorder have different physiological differences in their brain than those do not. There are mant factors that contribute to the development of an eating disorder (ex. trauma, bullying, media) and it is absolutly not easy for one to just "get over it."
Myth #4: "I'm too fat to have an eating disorder ." Eating disorders are not all about the weight: they are about how weight affects the indivudual's self-acceptance for his or herself. Eating disorders are about the distorted body images one has and obsessive thoughts regarding food and weight. In fact, it is very dangerous for those who are in a normal weight range who suffer from an eating disorder because they do not recieve the appropriate help they need.
Myth #5: If people with eating disorders would just eat, everything would be fine. Eating disorders are more than about the food. Yes, food is an important when nourishing a malnourished body, but there are more aspects when treating someone with an eating disorder to help them heal.
Myth #6: Those who suffer from anorexia do not eat. People who suffer from anorexia do eat, but they drastically restrict their intake to an unhealthy amount of calories. (See medical complications.)
Myth #7: Binge eating disorder is not serious and is not "a real illness" Those who suffer from binge eating disorder feel as if they can not control themselves after they consume a great amount of calories in a short period of time and experience extreme guilt afterwards. This cycle repeats itself over and over again. This is a serious problem and should not be ignored.
Myth# 8: "Why can't they just eat? It can't be that complicated." For those who are suffering from anorexia, eating is more complicated for them than the average person. Food represents fear, anxiety, and many emotions are triggered in the mind that a non eating-disordered person would never understand when it comes to consuming food.
