Why should eating disorders receive more attention?
Research has estimated that the majority of those having an eating disorder do not seek help because they believe that they do not need therapy and do not feel that their symptoms are serious enough or that they can “get over” the problem on their own (Lipson et al., 2017).
But why is seeking treatment for eating disorders so hard compared to other mental disorders?
Stigma is one of the greatest struggles in the daily life of people who have a mental illness, and even greater for those having an eating disorder (ED). People with EDs are often blamed by others to be their own cause of their disorder and advised to “just eat” in order to get over their “problem”. This limited understanding of eating disorders makes it harder for those with EDs to acknowledge the severity of their case and ultimately seek help.
Given this limited attention given to patients with EDs, this blog will discuss how can raising awareness contribute to a better understanding of eating disorders, encourage treatment, and facilitate recovery.
Increase knowledge & dispel myths
Many misconceptions exist about eating disorders, making it difficult to understand what exactly an eating disorder is or the various types of eating disorders. In particular, the misconception that eating disorders are solely linked to thinness is both incorrect and damaging, as it implies the idea that those affected by negative thoughts / emotions / behaviors toward eating are not ‘truly ill’ until they look a certain way and be under a certain weight. The same misconception might lead to the people affected being less likely to understand the presence or the severity of their illness and are thus reluctant to seek help.
If more people understand and are aware of various types of eating disorders, it will make it easier to find those affected and encourage them to seek help.
To help gain awareness of eating disorders, we recommend “Nine Truths about Eating Disorders” published by the Academy of Eating Disorders https://www.aedweb.org/publications/nine-truths and an overview of eating disorders on the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/eating-disorders/overview/
Early intervention and encouraging treatment
As mentioned above, the majority of those having eating disorders do not reach out for help due to a lack of recognition of their condition. Therefore, early intervention strategies should focus on initiatives that educate people about the severity of EDs. More specifically, since the majority of eating disorders develop during adolescence, providing convenient, relevant, and action-oriented options accessible during this period would be particularly critical for early intervention.
Research on treatments for eating disorders, as well as for most mental health problems, indicates that early intervention improves the speed of recovery, reduces symptoms to a greater extent, and improves the likelihood of staying free of the illness. Specifically, when adolescents with anorexia nervosa are given treatment within the first three years of the illness onset they have a much greater likelihood of recovery (Treasure & Russel, 2011).
It is important to dispel myths associated with eating disorders and get to understand the different kinds of eating disorders and their characteristics in order to encourage treatment. Ultimately, increased awareness and knowledge can facilitate prevention, early diagnosis, and better recovery.
References
Lipson, S. K., Jones, J. M., Taylor, C. B., Wilfley, D. E., Eichen, D. M., Fitzsimmons-Craft, E. E., & Eisenberg, D. (2017). Understanding and promoting treatment-seeking for eating disorders and body image concerns on college campuses through online screening, prevention and intervention. Eating Behaviors, 25, 68–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2016.03.020
Treasure, J., & Russell, G. (2011). The case for early intervention in anorexia nervosa: Theoretical exploration of maintaining factors. British Journal of Psychiatry, 199(1), 5–7. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.110.087585
Eating Disorders Myths...Busted. www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbMi_ygqRYU. Accessed 5 Dec. 2022.